Pig Farming Empowers Teen Mothers for Sustainable Livelihood

The Problem:

High rate of teen pregnancy in Uganda is root cause for serious health risks, social stigma, educational disruption and a cycle of poverty for the affected girls. Many teenage girls attempt suicide as a result!

With 25%, Uganda has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in sub-Saharan Africa. 354,736 teenage pregnancies (age 10-19) were recorded in 2020 in the UN Factsheet of 2021.

Most teenage pregnancies are forced (rape) by adult men in the communities or even at school.

Teenagers are at higher risk for complications during pregnancy and childbirth with high mortality rates also due to unsafe abortions. Teenagers experiencing pregnancy with increased stress, anxiety, depression.

Teen mothers face judgment and discrimination by their families and communities, often forced into marriages. Pregnancy often leads to disruptions in education.

The lack of social protection, absence of skills and affordable credit options, with no access to banks, prevents the teenage girls/mothers from starting their own businesses, thereby perpetuating the cycle of poverty and unemployment.

The solution

A Pig Model Farm is aiming for lasting support of teen mothers and their families in Rural Western Uganda.

By establishing a pig model farm, these young women are gaining practical skills, financial stability, and renewed hope.

1. The project provides training on pig farming techniques, including breeding, feeding, and disease management. As the piglets grow, so does the potential for income generation.

2. Through hands-on experience, the mothers learn about pig husbandry, hygiene, and business management. They are no longer defined solely by their past but by their determination to create a better future.

3. The project emphasizes sustainability. By raising pigs, the teen mothers not only secure their own livelihoods but also contribute to food security in their communities.

4. Income from pig sales allows them to cover basic needs, invest in education, and save for the future.

5. The pig model farm fosters collaboration among teen mothers. They share knowledge, support each other, and celebrate milestones together.

In summary, the pig model farm transcends traditional boundaries, offering teen mothers a chance to rewrite their narratives.

The implementation

• A team of 4 people is involved in the practice implementation composed by a project manager, 2 social workers, a veterinary and volunteers who work on site. Implementation activities will use also existing capacities of local organisations in Runkungiri/Kanungu district as Girls Power Foundation, The Purple Ray, KWFABI Eco Farm and other national agencies as Wakisa ministries in Kampala.

• The project will engage the Local Council one (LCI) chairpersons in each village to identify pregnant teenagers and link the girls to the initiative secretariat.

• The selected teenager will be connected to a support network.

• An intervention logic including detailed activities, indicators , source of verification and assumptions is in place.

• A robust monitoring and evaluation framework will be established to assess the initiative's impact and effectiveness.

• A prevention program, an awareness campaign and access to reproductive health services complete the initiative.

A financial and project plan, risk analysis, reports and impact measures are in place. We need 33 Mio. UGX = 8475 EUR to realize the project.

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Please support the teen mothers to become self sustainable! with a generous donation!

Shivan Ainembabazi Peter A. Doetsch

CEO Canan Mother Care Coach & Mentor

Foundation