Nnindye
Springing from and building upon our collaboration with the Millennium Villages project, the Ford Program and Uganda Martyrs University have established a partnership with the residents of Nnindye Parish, located about 15 kilometers from the rural campus of Uganda Martyrs University.
Nnindye is a community poised for change. Most of its 6,000 people derive their livelihood from subsistence farming. Though Nnindye has strong local leadership, it faces significant challenges to development in areas such as education and vocational training; health and nutrition; agricultural productivity and access to markets; and critical infrastructure such as water, sanitation, roads, and access to information.
Notre Dame, through the Ford Program, and Uganda Martyrs University, are working with the people of Nnindye to stimulate positive change in response to these challenges. The Nnindye community is committed to identifying, through a mobilization and action planning process led by local leaders, progressive goals in each of the critical sectors: education, health, livelihood [agriculture and enterprise], and infrastructure.
An initial needs assessment was conducted, followed by period of goal setting and prioritization of development challenges. Ford Program and Uganda Martyrs project facilitators work together with and advise local leaders as they work with their constituents to identify and design projects to achieve their goals. A Nnindye Parish planning committee, elected by the community, is currently finalizing plans for three initial projects in the sectors of water and sanitation, health, and agriculture. These community projects are being cooperatively planned, implemented, and funded.
The Ford Program and Uganda Martyrs will provide seed capital to fund the majority of short- and medium-term projects costs, with local government and community members committing what is possible. Over time, engaged citizens will work with local government to build on the initial Notre Dame/Uganda Martyrs University investments, sustaining progress and initiating future community development.
The Ford Program and Uganda Martyrs recognize that sustainability is key for long-term, positive change. As Nnindye develops and residents are empowered to save income, local contribution to community development projects will increase and external funding will decrease. Together we will foster deepening relationships and promote the exchange of knowledge for many years to come.
The Ford Program aims to integrate research into our efforts in Nnindye in three crucial ways:
First, we incorporate applicable best practices and lessons learned from the work of other grassroots organizations and from the literature on human development into the planning process of each community project.
Second, we nurture connections between the research agendas of faculty and graduate students, both at Notre Dame and partner universities, and the projects in Nnindye.
Third, we ensure individual projects and the overall development strategy are rigorously monitored and evaluated over time and across sectors.
