Our Partners – Voluntary Action for Development (VAD)

Voluntary Action for Development (VAD) is a Ugandan, non-governmental organisation (NGO) founded in 1996. VAD operates in Wakiso District, central Uganda and aims to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor and disadvantaged communities. The main focus of VAD’s development work is water, hygiene and sanitation improvement, support for people affected by HIV&AIDS, food security and sustainable agriculture. VAD has a vision of a self reliant, rural community that is able to sustain itself and its mission is to empower the rural poor community to effectively participate in their social and economic development through training and resource mobilisation.

Programmes

Water

VAD’s Integrated Community Managed Water, Hygiene and Sanitation Improvement programme aims to increase to safe clean water, improving the hygiene and sanitation environment of the rural poor communities and schools of Lwemwedde and Kanzize parishes of Masuliita Sub County in Wakiso district. VAD promotes good proper hygiene and sanitation practice by using locally appropriate techniques and locally available materials to build shallow wells, bath shelters, dish racks and water taps.

This programme is in its second year of implementation, supported by Aidlink with funding from Irish Aid. One of the main achievements in the first twelve months is increased access to safe water and sanitation for over 10,750 people.

Food Security

VAD has been working with farmers in Wakiso District for 8 years. In 2008, Aidlink funded a pilot Agribusiness project which aimed to support 30 farming households with training and small loans to invest in agriculture. As a result, 30 households increased their farm incomes due to increased agricultural production. Farming techniques have improved and farmers are working in co-operation with each other on transport and marketing of agricultural produce. Following an evaluation of the 1 year Agribusiness programme, VAD developed a three year food security programme which aims to address the problems of food insecurity and low house hold incomes through providing training, access to improved seeds and hybrid animals, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture extension services for farmers. The programme is targeting 450 households (3,600 people) in 6 villages of Namayumba and Masulita sub counties. The six villages are Kyengeza; Kabale; Kanzize; Katikamu; Lugudde; and Lumwedde.

Aidlink and VAD

Aidlink and VAD have been working together since 2003 with a focus on water, hygiene and sanitation improvement and food security. In March 2006 Aidlink and VAD entered into a Memorandum of Understanding which provides a framework for cooperation between the two organisations and is reviewed by both parties on an annual basis. In 2007, Aidlink supported VAD to develop a new strategic plan.

Over the next three years, Aidlink will continue to work with VAD to deliver provide water and sanitation and food security programmes to the poorest communities of Wakiso. Aidlink will also continue to support VAD to strengthen its own capacity and develop as an organisation.