Community Agricultural Trainers (CATs), in the Wakiso district of Uganda recently received training in sustainability measures. CATs are part of development groups which are self-help farming groups that have been established by Signpost International. Over the past 8 years it has been wonderful to see how the development groups in Wakiso have helped changed lives for the better. As Signpost prepares to finish working in the Wakiso district in March 2020 training is being given to CATs to prepare them for running the development groups on their own. They have received training in monitoring techniques and advocacy skills. The development groups are now established in villages throughout the Wakiso district and play an important role in the community.
The training in sustainability measures is to ensure that the development groups continue in the same direction once Signpost has left the area. CATs have come up with a number of action plans on how they will keep the work moving in the future. They have also made it clear that they believe it is extremely important that other interested members are trained to become CATs. Current CATs now have the skills to continue the development groups on their own.
A farmer whose life has changed as a result of being a CAT is Elizabeth. Elizabeth a member of the Luwano development group has benefitted greatly from the training she has received. Elizabeth is a pig farmer and has received training which has seen her prosper. With the extra income she is now earning she is going to buy more piglets to enlarge her business. She is now earning enough to send her children to school and she is now able to provide three meals a day for her children.
