Raising The Village Pitchbook

IT’S EASY TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE WORLD. IT’S EASY TO CHANGE LIVES.

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TRADING pLACESPlace of birth. Three words. Countless implications.

It can mean the difference between turning on the tap to get a glass of clean water to drink and spending five hours of every day to collect water from the near-est swamp so that your family has enough to survive.

It can mean the difference between universal access to quality education and never learning to read and write because your family simply cannot afford the annual tuition of six dollars.

It can mean the difference between having access to medical care at any time of day and watching your child die of a curable illness.

We don’t have a say in where we are born. But, we can restore the balance. The elimination of extreme poverty is within our reach. Let us show you what you can do.

There’s a place between relief and development which is rarely mentioned. It’s called recovery.

Right now, numerous communities are emerging from a variety of catastrophic events and circum-stances such as violent conflict, the AIDS epidemic and devastating drought. Trying to move forward, these communities frequently find themselves con-fronted with new, often insurmountable challenges. They are at a standstill.

But through a recovery project with Raising The Village, they have the opportunity to achieve their goals. Recovery is about putting the key pieces in place which allow a struggling village to get beyond mere survival and grow into a vibrant, thriving community. It’s about simple things: having clean drinking water, access to education and the opportunity to earn a living. It’s a springboard into a brighter future.

It does not take very much to forever change the lives of an entire village. But it starts with you.

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Raising The Village is a registered, Canadian not-for-profit organization with innovative and effective solu-tions which create lasting community development.

OUR PEOPLE

Founded in 2006, we have grown from a one-man operation, into an organiza-tion with six passionate full-time staff and over 50 dedicated and talented volunteers.

OUR MISSION

We partner with remote villages in Uganda to make recovery possible.

OUR GOAL

Foster selF-suFFiciency in order to empower communities so that they are aBle to determine their own Future and eliminate the need For Future relieF and Funding.

WE ARE

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OUR METHOD

We work with the members of the most affected communities to:

• Identify needs and priorities

• Recognize existing skill sets and assets

• Generate ideas and formulate solutions

• Provide training, tools and critical infrastructure

• Problem solve and provide on-going support

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WHY UGANDAWE WORk WHERE WE UNDERSTAND

When Raising The Village was first starting out, Uganda was a country where we had many connections with local people and groups, other non-profit organizations and local government. We were familiar with local customs and culture, political and commu-nity organization, transportation networks, the education system and the language. This has allowed us to partner with the neediest communities and work effectively with them.

WE WORk WHERE WE cAN bE MOST EffEcTIvE

In 2006, 85% of Uganda’s population was living on less than a dollar a day. Today, that number is down to 52%. Uganda has emerged as a country ready for recovery. As economic and political stability continue to improve, incredible opportunities in Uganda continue to arise.

With strong leadership structures, passionate women’s groups, and committed local government, Ugandan communities are ideal candidates for Raising The Village’s recovery projects. People can be described simply as ‘community-centric’. Success is measured by the well-being of the entire community and there is an intrinsic understanding of the need for everyone to work together in order to escape the clutches of extreme poverty.

WE WORk WHERE WE cAN EffEcTIvELy REAcH OTHER cOUNTRIES IN THE fUTURE

In the volatile region of Sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda offers hope to its neighbours as a example of what is possible. As surrounding countries stabilize and their communities are able to begin the recovery process, Uganda will act as a jumping point.

Raising The Village will be there.

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WHAT WE DOcommunity. education. sustainaBle.

THE 4 -STEP APPROAcH

In order for Raising The Village to make the greatest possible impact, we focus on recovery.

We use a structured methodology which applies best practices drawn from both profit and non-profit sectors. This allows us to customize projects for the unique needs and priorities of each village that we work with. The projects will provide the community with the support it needs to grow steadily and to acquire the means to create lasting results without the need for future aid.

STEP 1: cOMMUNITy SELEcTION

The challenges of extreme poverty limit a community’s ability to reach out for support. Ironically, it is often the needi-est ones that are unseen and unheard. At Raising The Village, we rely on our network of local NGOs, community leaders and the local government for referrals to communities that are ready to move forward.

We receive daily invitations from com-munities that are hoping to embark on a recovery project.

Communities are selected after a thor-ough assessment. This is to ensure that the highest quality of work is achieved and that we have completed our due diligence to ensure full accountability to our staff, to the community and to our donors. Communities which are not immediately selected are provided feedback and guidance.

Criteria we use in the selection process include:

• Need

• Readiness for a recovery project

• Shared community vision

• Participation commitment from the community

• Presence of strong leadership

• No conflicts of interest

• Clean background checks

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STEP 2: PLAN AND DESIGN

Every project is customized to respond to the needs and priorities as identified by the village. Discus-sions and workshops are held to gather information and to bring to light villagers’ strengths, assets, experience and expertise. Everyone is given a voice. Everyone matters.

Using our structured methodology, we then inte-grate these findings with solutions from three critical components – infrastructure, education and income generation – to form a multi-faceted and cohesive project which benefits every member of the village.

Possible solutions include:

• Construction of schools

• Community centres

• Wells and latrines

• Training in agriculture and sanitation

• School meal programs

• Income generation programs – livestock collectives and community agriculture plots

The project design is shared and reviewed by the entire village. After a process of obtaining feedback and making final adjustments, the village votes. Responsible parties are assigned to different aspects of the project. We then share the community’s vision and plan with you.

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STEP 3: IMPLEMENTATION

Once funding is in place, we’re ready to break ground. We always begin with the construction of a central hub such as a school or community centre. The entire community pulls its resources together and everyone plays a role. Some bring stones, other make bricks, and still others plant and tend to the gardens. The completion of this hub is empowering. It motivates and encour-ages the community to continue with the project while providing a central location for training and village meet-ings. Following the completion of this first building, the remaining pieces of the project are undertaken.

STEP 4: cOMPLETION, EvALUATION, AND THE NExT STEPS

Once the project implementation stage has been completed, the ‘keys’ are passed on to the leaders, symbolizing the community’s accomplishments and ownership of the recovery project. It is a joyous time, but the real work has just started. Our team continues to provide skills training and coaching to the community: working side-by-side with them to find solutions for challenges, and plan for the future. The objective is always to achieve community goals and drive every project to sufficiency – eliminating the need for future aid.

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*Statistics gathered as of December 2010

OUR WORK

KAMpALAPopulation: 1,600,000

KISORODistance to Kampala: 483 kmPopulation: 273,700Average altitude: 1,980 mAverage daily income: 1,333 UGX

GRACEDistance from Kampala: 58 kmClosest trading centre: NakifumaVillage population: 681Students attending: 156

KANGADistance from Kampala: 78 kmClosest trading centre: NkokonjeruVillage population: 610Students attending: 107

SSANGADistance from Kampala: 63 kmClosest trading centre: NajjembeVillage population: 580Students attending: 138

KANYAMAHENEDistance from Kisoro: 30 kmVillage population: 621Average daily income: 667 UGX/$0.27 CDN

BITONGODistance from Kisoro: 5 kmVillage population: 1278Average daily income: 1,000 UGX/$0.40 CDN

MUROLEDistance from Kisoro: 50 kmVillage population: 523Average daily income: 167 UGX/$0.07 CDN

CENTRAL UGANDA WESTERN UGANDA

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KAMPALA

KISORO

LAKEVICTORIA

Total population: 32.7 MUnder 18 years old: 18.3 MUnder 5 years old: 6.4 MLife expectancy: 53Population living with HIV/AIDs: 6.5%Population using approved drinking water sources: 67%Population using approved sanitation facilities: 48%Living under $1/day: 52%

UGANDA

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GRACEGrace Daycare and Orphanage in Nanga village was the vision of the commu-nity to build a community primary school and orphanage for their chil-dren. Work was underway when the village was hit with the AIDS epidemic. Eva Nabatanzi and many members of the community leadership were lost. As a result, construction and programs were brought to a grinding halt. Eva’s sister, Liz Mukibii, left her life in the city to return and fulfill her village’s dream. Raising The Village was invited to join Nanga village to complete the work in 2007.

PROjEcT cOSTS $12,000 CDN

INITIAL PROjEcT TIMELINE 12 months (February 2007–February 2008)

INfRASTRUcTURE Renovation of 2 classroom blocks and nursery

Construction of 1 latrine (4 stalls)

Completion of living quarters for male and female orphans, headmaster

Completion of office and staff room

Kitchen

INcOME GENERATIONFarming start-up kit (Farming equipment and seeds)

Chicken coop and chickens

EDUcATIONIncrease the number of teachers

Improve student performance

Implement school meal program

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fRANk In 2007, we met Frank. He was living in a rented shack with other orphans; sleeping on a jigger infested dirt floor, suffering from malnutrition and at high risk for serious illness.

Since then, Frank has been at Grace. He has, after completing his primary, continued with his secondary and attended our vocational training course where he learned new skills in masonry and construction.

This year, he got his first job working in construc-tion. He continues to give back by helping with repairs and school maintenance at Grace.

RESULTS TO DATE (December 2010)

Orphans cared for on-site 7

Additional orphans receiving financial support 25

Female to male enrollment ratio 60:40

Grace Daycare and Orphanage Year-end savings for reinvestment 31% (net profit)

School meals served (2008–2010) 100,000+

Academic improvement (2008–2010) achieved from 57% to 83%

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KANGAIn the remote village of Kanga, the local community struggles to survive day-to-day with the average household earning of 15 to 25 cents per day. School fees are far greater than what local fami-lies can afford, denying children access to education. Through the donation of 5 acres from a member of the village for the purpose of constructing a school, the community was able to band together to create Kanga Primary to serve the educational needs of their children. Struggling with poor infrastructure, limited funds, and lack of knowledge, the community invited Raising The Village to join their cause. In 2009, Raising The Village was introduced to the Kanga village with the goal of helping local leaders create a com-munity owned self-sufficient school which provides subsidized and free primary education.

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AISHA Madam Aisha has been a teacher at Kanga for the past 3 years. She is considered its most consistent and reliable teacher. She teaches the lower grades and acts as the school bursar in the absence of the school director.

When Madam Aisha was asked why she stays at the school when she has the experience and credentials for better pay-ing opportunities, she explained that she believes in what the community school stands for and that she wants to play a key role in increasing education levels and transforming the quality of life in Kanga.


INITIAL PROjEcT TIMELINE 6 months (February 2009– June 2009)

INfRASTRUcTURE 1 classroom block

1 convertible classroom block and community Hall

1 latrine (4 stalls)

Desks and administrative supplies and training kit

1 spring water well



Improve student performance



Female to male enrollment ratio 60:40

Increase in attendance (2008–2010) 214%

School meals served (2008–2010) 52,000+

Time for Kanga Primary School to positive and balance budget 6 months

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SSANGAThe sleepy village of Ssanga lies in the heart of the Mabira rainforest, where tra-ditional livelihoods of logging and hunting have been outlawed. Life has become desperate for the isolated village as population stress, high levels of unemployment and rising rates of alcohol abuse affect the community. With as many as 3 primary school-aged children in every household not attending school, community leaders identified lack of access to education as one of the greatest challenges facing the village. The community came together to construct a small schoolhouse to teach their children. A single 1 x 1 metre chalkboard was shared between all of the classes. Raising The Village was invited to work with Ssanga village and to support them with their plans for the children and for the survival of their village.


INITIAL PROjEcT TIMELINE 24 months (June 2010–June 2012)

INfRASTRUcTURE 2 classroom blocks

1 office and staff room


Desks and administrative supplies and training kit

3 well recovery projects and training



Improve administrative management


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SSEkAbI In early 2011, we introduced the newest member of the Raising The Village team. Our lean, green brick making machine is something special as it makes Interlocking Stabilized Soil Bricks (ISSB). Unlike traditional bricks, which need to be baked and cured in a furnace (up to 50 full sized trees are required to make enough traditional bricks to construct a small classroom), ISSB bricks harden in the sun and do not require baking. These bricks are also bigger, stronger and last longer than traditional bricks.

Ssanga is located in a protected rainforest where preserving the trees and natural wildlife habitat is essential to maintaining the fragile environment. Thanks to a community who was open to learn-ing new skills and committed to pressing every single brick for their school, we’ve been able to build a green and sustainable place of learning.


Increase in females attendance from 2009 43%

Increase in teachers from 2 to 5

Initial construction of basic infrastructure start april 2011

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BITONGOAmong the first inhabitants in the Kisoro region, the village of Bitongo “the abandoned place” is made up of subsistence farmers in an area lying at the base of the Virunga mountains. The community lives in extreme poverty with average household incomes of less than 40 cents a day. However, they are organized and motivated to make change happen and to put in the work. Community leaders have identified a need for clean drinking water and education, especially post primary/vocational. Currently, less than 30% of women achieve primary levels of education and over 85% of women are illiterate. The community has pooled their resources to acquire a plot of land which would provide space to house initiatives.

Raising The Village is working with Bitongo villagers to create a locally managed water catchment system that will provide access to clean water and decrease incidences of water borne illnesses such as diarrhea. Raising The Village will teach women in the com-munity to manage a goat cooperative that will empower women to become active participants in the community and increase average income in the household. Resource management and agricultural training will help increase the capacity within this village, making it a hub for economic activity and poverty reduction for the entire Kisoro region.

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WOMEN Of bITONGO The women of Bitongo face immense cultural and economic challenges as they care for their households. Research shows that of a woman’s income, 92% goes towards the household. The women of the community have formed small savings co-operatives on their own initiative to pool their resources and invest in new opportunities. Raising The Village is proud to support these women in their learning of new skills and in their development of programs aimed at caring for their community.


PROjEcT TIMELINE 12 months (October 2011– October 2012)

INfRASTRUcTURE 1 water catchment

1 community centre



Womens goat cooperative

EDUcATIONWomens basic skills and management training

WASH sanitation and hygiene training

Farming and agriculture productivity training

ObjEcTIvES

Sustainable access to clean drinking all year round

Empower women

Strengthen women’s cooperatives (basic skills and training)

Improve household income and quality of life

Improve crop yields and reduce soil nutrition depletion

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HOW WE MEASURE SUCCESSWe are committed to being accountable to people in our villages, to our staff and volunteers, and to our donors.

We are a results oriented organization. Our results based management approach uses key indicators to closely track progress in each community. This allows us to identify areas for improvement and to celebrate success.

ExAMPLES Of kEy INDIcATORS THAT WE USE:

School meals provision

Boy/girl student ratios

Teacher/student ratios

Training hours

Crop yields to targets

Dependence on external funding

Household income

Employment levels

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A donation made to Raising The Village is spent on community recovery projects in Uganda. It is allocated into the three areas of recovery: education, infrastructure, and income generation. Help a community break out of the cycle of extreme poverty forever.

IMAGINE THE pOSSIBILITIES

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Once Raising The Village receives enough funding to start a phase for a recovery project, our ground team begins to mobilize the community and construction of vital infrastructure can begin. We source our materials and teams locally. In fact, our staff live in the communities during the initial phases of a project. Our projects take 6–12 months to implement, usually achieving self-sufficiency within this timeframe. We report progress to donors through our website, blog, and newsletters. Please visit raisingthevillage.org/donate.

$100 Provides 12 children with a desk in their classroom, allowing them the opportunity to sit and learn

$500 Supplies a community with an agriculture start-up kit. Tools, seeds and training in new tech-niques provide villages with a means to permanently increase household income.

$1,000 Allows a community women’s group the opportunity to manage 20 goats, increasing their poten-tial household income a thousand times over.

$5,000 Is the average construction cost of a well which provides clean and easily accessible drinking water for a community of 250.

$8,000 Can build a 4-room classroom block providing over 150 children with a place to learn while also serving as a community centre for village discussions, workshops and weddings among many other important events.

$25,000 Will fund a complete community recovery project for a village of more than 500 people.

$6 = Year’s tuition for 1 child$25 = 1 desk$6 = textbooks$2 = 1 atlas$20 = 1 teaching equipment set

$2,500 = 1 latrine$1,200 = 1 kitchen$4,000 = 1 office and staff room$300 = Seeds, rakes, hoes$1,200 = 1 brick machine

Executive Director & Founder

Shawn Holden Cheung

[email protected]

+1 416 992 0444

Canadian Operations Director

Alan Liu

[email protected]

+1 416 623 0161

cANADARaising The Village

c/o Centre for Social Innovation

215 Spadina Ave., Suite 412

Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2C7

Canada

[email protected]

UGANDARaising The Village

Plot 13, Bishop Tucker Road

Mukono, Uganda

Mailing Address

Raising The Village

P.O. Box 36174

Kampala, Uganda

Photography Claudia Hung

Printed by Creative PathCharitable No. 817643612RR0001

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Raising The Village Pitchbook

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