Achan - FROM BEING A COMMUNITY BEGGAR TO A MODEL BACKYARD FARMER

Achan’s involvement in Action against hunger (ACF) program interventions and mindset change for lifestyle transformation program by TASET organization was a turning point in her life.

Achan used to roam around the camp spreading rumors as a strategy of establishing rapport to beg for food from neighbors as a survival strategy for her and the family.

WHY: Ever since I left South Sudan due to the civil war, I became hopeless, felt useless and even developed a negative attitude towards life and work but after being assessed and selected by Action Against Hunger at the beginning of the year as one of the beneficiaries to be supported by the UNHCR funded project, I was trained by group of facilitators from TASET organization together with ACF on mindset change and life transformation.

This training acted as a turning point in my life because my mind was open and started believing that with the limited space I have (30m*30m) life can still be possible through proper space utilization. By the end of the mindset change training, I felt completely reformed, full of joy and hope ready to transform my life. ACF trained me in backyard farming and gave me farming tools and seeds, which paved way for my success.

HOW: Currently I run my own kitchen garden, which has helped me irrigate and harvest vegetables even in dry season. I have used the acquired skills to expand vegetable production to utilize all the space in my compound. My family no longer lacks food, I earn a daily income of about Uganda Shillings 12,000 per week, which I use to meet my family needs and save some in VSLA.

RESULT: My involvement in Mindset change and lifestyle transformation training has helped me to identify the worth in me. ACF intervention has helped me to be a model farmer; am now a changed business woman and an advocate for Mindset change and lifestyle transformation and a great kitchen backyard farmer.

TASET and ACF exposed me to a better world of opportunities with an open mind and hands on skills. I now believe that eyes are useless when the mind is locked.