Butakoola Village Association for Development (BUVAD)

Organizational History Butakoola Village Association for Development (BUVAD) is a not-for-profit organization (Registration number: MIA/NB/2011/03/4640), that started its non-profit activities in 2000. In 2006, it was initially registered as a community-based organisation (CBO) under the Gender and Culture Department in Kayunga Sub-County, Uganda. In May 2011, BUVAD was approved by the NGO Board of Uganda as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) operating in Kayunga District. Kayunga District is located in remote central Uganda with its biggest percentage comprised of rural areas. It has a total population of 358,700 people, of which 48% are male and 52% are female. Close to 94 % of the district population dwell in rural areas. BUVAD is among the NGOs that are complementing Government efforts in improving the livelihood of the people of Kayunga. Considering that there are few NGOs in the area that focus on similar issues, places BUVAD in a unique position of identifying opportunities and work within the prevailing development framework at local, regional, and international levels. Achievements and Learnings: Since its inception, BUVAD has been active in Kayunga and the following are its main achievements: • Promoting access to safe and clean water BUVAD has increased access to clean and safe water and at the same time promoted good health through the construction of innovative rainwater harvesting tanks using waste plastic bottles as bricks. In the past two years, the organization has constructed 32 rainwater harvesting tanks each of 2,000 litres capacity for 32 women-headed households and 20 rainwater harvesting tanks of 10,000 litres capacity for remote rural community schools. In addition, BUVAD managed to set up 16 hand-dug borehole water wells in ten village communities and six primary schools in the sub-counties of Kayunga, Nazigo, Kangulumira and Kitimbwa sub-counties. • Promoting social cohesion and participation around WASH With the support of GIZ-CUSP, BUVAD formed the Kayunga Water User Forum that comprises of 36 Water User Management Committees (WUMCs). The Kayunga Water User Forum is a platform that comprises of representatives from different WUMCs from various water sources across the district. Kayunga District Water and Sanitation Coordination Committee is a sectoral platform that is headed by the Water Department of Kayunga District bringing together key stakeholders on water and sanitation issues. The Forum has promoted social cohesion and co-ordination of ideas on issues concerning access to and quality of water as well as operations and maintenance of water sources in the district. It is used as a feedback loop to discuss challenges, proposals and actions which are then shared with the Kayunga District Water and Sanitation Coordination Committee. As a result, Water User Management Committees and Local Councils promote greater security at water sources and theft of equipment has since reduced. The Forum was also able to set up by-laws that govern operations at water sources which promoted sanitation and hygiene among villages with the aim to reduce the spread of diseases like COVID-19 and high crime rate at water sources. • Promoting the health of people in Kayunga During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic 2019 to 2022, BUVAD with support from GIZ-CUSP and the District COVID 19 Task Force participated in raising awareness to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at public water sources through 50 community outdoor radios, the Local Sauti FM radio station and distribution of information materials such as posters. BUVAD also distributed soap, face masks and hand-washing facilities, thereby contributing to the reduced spread of COVID-19 at public water sources and improved health of people in Kayunga District. • Promoting sanitation and hygiene in schools BUVAD increased sanitation and hygiene in schools through sensitization and construction of pit-latrines in 2019 using plastic bottles as bricks for three community primary schools in the communities of Bwetyaaba, Nawandagala and Namagabi of Kayunga Sub County in Kayunga District. This increased the number of pit-latrines since one big school until then had used only one latrine. This helped to change the community’s practices and mindset about open defecation, subsequently reducing diseases among children and community members around. It also improved timely attendance of classes since many children spend less time waiting to use the pit-latrine. This was made possible with the support from IDC Empower, Kitchen Table Charities Trust, and Minga Foundation. • Support and care for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Through our partners “Investment for Developing Communities”, BUVAD has been able to support 14 orphaned vulnerable girl children through the provision of scholarships and scholastic materials. Two have since graduated with a certificate in hair dressing while 12 are yet to finalise their education. • Increased knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and HIV/AIDS Prevention BUVAD focused on young women and adolescent girls through creation of awareness on reproductive health rights and HIV/AIDS prevention among the reproductive age bracket in the community. BUVAD also worked with schools and health centres to increase knowledge through sensitization among youths, distribution of condoms in different villages, radio talk shows on the local radio station Sauti FM and community outdoor radio speakers about HIV/AIDs prevention in Kayunga District. This increased knowledge of HIV/AIDs among 300 young women and adolescent in the villages. • Innovation for Environmental and Nature Conservation Waste plastic bottles are an environmental hazard as they do not decompose easily, clog water channels thereby causing flooding, and affecting aquatic life. To mitigate these negative effects, BUVAD introduced an innovative method to re-use plastic water bottles as bricks in constructing the afore-mentioned water tanks, pit-latrines and even houses combining cost-effectiveness with environmental protection. This has reduced the waste plastic bottles in Kayunga District, since most of them are being collected for the construction of rainwater harvesting tanks thus helping to preserve the environment. Vision, Mission, Values Vision Improved standards of living for the people of Kayunga and Uganda as a whole. Mission We empower the communities of Kayunga to make sustainable choices for improved livelihoods. Values The following are the values that will guide BUVAD’s work and engagement with stakeholders: a. Integrity: BUVAD values integrity as a way to foster an open and positive work environment amongst its stakeholders, leadership and staff. b. Respect: At BUVAD, we listen to what others have to say and use people’s ideas to change and improve lives in Kayunga District. c. Non-Discrimination: We treat people equally no matter their personality, race, religion, gender, age, or country of origin. d. Collaboration: At BUVAD, we respect, listen and evolve together, and support each other for the sake of attaining a collective goal. e. Teamwork: At BUVAD, we boost morale and comradeship among the team.