Page 14 - GDG Annual Report 2020 NZ_v3

Impacting the Community both

Inside and Outside the Classroom

87 hours of talk shows on J747’s Mighty Fire Radio station were focused
on building knowledge of child protection, child rights and methods of
positive discipline. The station now provides educational programs for
school children learning at home due to COVID-19.

In northern Uganda, Irene Gleeson Foundation (IGF) has planted and harvested. Large scale farming will commence
partnered with Global Development Group for project J747 later in 2020 using lessons learned from the pilot crops. It is
IGF Community Development Project since 2006. The project expected the farm will significantly reduce the cost of food and
and its influence are well known in this region. Education is provide funds for other project activities.
provided through four schools for more than 3,700 students,
Over many years, IGF have played a significant role in the
a further 432 students are enrolled in vocational training,
development of Kitgum town and throughout the region, and
medical care and information is delivered through school-
there is a continued effort to be a more community-focused
based clinics and radio programs.
organisation. Steps towards this have been made through
A GDG monitoring team of Josh Edwards, Kelley Chisholm and construction of a local library and efforts will continue.
Jordan Brayley visited the project in January and delivered
By June 2020, COVID-19 had forced the temporary closure
training on sustainability. Teacher wages and food are major
of IGF schools for 3 months so far, but the IGF team has
expenses and this year significant steps towards reducing
distributed food, soap and transistor radios. With this support,
these costs have been made. The Government now contributes
thousands of children continue to learn from home while
to teacher salaries and 300 acres of farmland was recently
having more time to support their parents and learn valued
purchased with the goal of reducing food costs. A ten-acre
traditional chores in the home and garden.
crop of maize along with five-acres of beans have been

14 Annual Report 2020 Global Development Group NZ