End Line Evaluation Report: Northern Uganda War Affected Youth Livelihood Enhancement Initiative

(NUWYLEI)

Implemented in Lamogi in Amuru District, Alero in Nwoya District and Patiko in Gulu District

December 2015

Amajuru Simon Madraru- Consultant

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the consultant and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the

client, CARE International in Uganda and Implementing Partners

Amajuru Simon Madraru

Email: samajuru@gmail.com or madraru@yahoo.com

Phone: 0772669790 or 0755899002

Consultant

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Acknowledgments I want to thank the management of CARE International in Uganda, headed by the Country Director, Ms. Delphine Pinault, for giving me this very enriching opportunity of evaluating the NUWYLEI project in Northern Uganda. I thank Komakech Charles and Adokorach Brenda Caroline from CARE in Gulu for coordinating and organising all the field level activities of this evaluation. I thank Komakech Justine for driving us safely throughout the evaluation process. All the CARE staff in Kampala (Procurement team) and Gulu (administration staff), I am aware that without your support, this evaluation would have not been successful, thus, Thank you very much. I sincerely thank Implementing Partner Organisations: DNU and GWED-G who implemented the NUWYLEI project. Thumbs Up for work well done! My appreciation goes to Rev. Patrick Lumumba (DNU) and Pamela Angwech (GWED-G) for giving insights to the project processes and activities. I thank my evaluation team members for being fully committed to accomplish the enormous work within a very tight timeframe. Okot Francis Odwong, Ocaya James Oballim, Onoo Colombus, Linda Oyela, Omen Emmanuel and Tabu Ronald Ross thank you very much for accepting to work extra hours during the field interviews. I thank all the respondents for giving us your time and providing information that has made this report possible. Ms. Catherine Dutile from BAP; Sub-county local authorities Alero, Lamogi and Patiko; NUWYLEI beneficiaries; and members of spontaneous groups who did not benefit directly from the NUWYLEI project but copied the VSLA methodology to fight their own poverty, thank you all. Finally, my heartfelt appreciation to Sten Andreasen of Sten Andreasen Consulting and Nanna Callisen for clarifying on key aspects of the project that were not clear to me. Specifically aspects involving the project final project design and funding arrangement by two different donors. You have greatly improved the accuracy of this report.

Simon Madraru Amajuru Consultant

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List of Acronyms CBO Community Based Organization CBF Community Based Facilitator CBT Community Based Trainer CDDF Constituency Demand Driven Fund CDNK CARE Denmark CDO Community Development Officer CSO Civil Society Organisation DNU Diocese of Northern Uganda GEWEP Gender Equity and Women Empowerment Programme GWED-G Gulu Women Economic Development and Globalisation IDP Internally Displaced Person IGA Income Generating Activity IPO Implementing Partner Organisation LC Local Council NGO Non-Governmental Organization NUSAF Northern Uganda Social Action Fund NUWYLEI Northern Uganda War Affected Youth Livelihoods Enhancement Initiative OWC Operation Wealth Creation PIC Project Implementation Committee PRDP Peace Recovery and Development Plan RA Research Assistant VSLA Village Savings and Loan Association YLF Youth Livelihood Fund

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Table of Contents Disclaimer: ............................................................................................................................................ ii Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................... iii List of Acronyms ................................................................................................................................. iv

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... vii

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ..................................................................................... 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 ABOUT NUWYLEI ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE EVALUATION AS PER TOR ............................................. 2 1.4 METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................................... 4

1.4.1 Evaluation Approach ........................................................................................................... 4

1.4.2 Description of Review Tools ............................................................................................... 4

1.5 LIMITATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 4

2. FINDINGS ........................................................................................................................................ 5 2.1 CORE ASSUMPTIONS .............................................................................................................. 5 2.2 YOUTHS EXPECTED VOCATIONAL TRAINING ................................................................... 5 2.3 ACHIEVEMENT OF PROJECT OBJECTIVES ........................................................................ 5

2.3.1 Young people's economy and job opportunities strengthened .............................................. 6

2.3.2 Young people informed about their rights; their social resources & influence increased ..... 12

2.4 PROJECT IMPACTS ............................................................................................................... 16

2.4.1 The VSLA methodology has instilled savings culture among all beneficiary youths ............ 16

2.4.2 Youths have become self-employed from newly acquired knowledge and skills ................. 17

2.4.3 Youths have become less violent in their homes and communities .................................... 18

2.4.4 Youths are taking on leadership positions in their communities ......................................... 19

2.4.5 Feeding and payment of school fees has improved ............................................................ 19

2.4.6 Youths have developed big plans for their future ............................................................... 20

2.4.7 DNU and GWED-G have enhanced capacity to work with youths as target groups .......... 20

3. LESSONS, CHALLENGES & BEST PRACTICES ..................................................................... 22 3.1 LESSONS LEARNT .................................................................................................................. 22

3.2 CHALLENGES ......................................................................................................................... 23 3.3 BEST PRACTICES ................................................................................................................... 25

4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................... 27

4.1 CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................... 27 4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................................... 28

5. APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................ 30

Appendix 1: Most Significant Changed Stories: ............................................................................. 30

Appendix 2: Attendance List ........................................................................................................... 4

Appendix 3: Terms of Reference: .................................................................................................. 10

Appendix 4: Techniques used for data collection ........................................................................... 15

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction and back ground The evaluation was commissioned by CARE Uganda and done by Amajuru Simon Madraru, an independent external consultant who was supported during data collection by six local Research Assistants.

CARE International in Uganda was funded by Telethon and Thune Foundation to implement the NUWYLEI project in the sub-counties of Alero, Lamogi and Patiko, all from Acholi sub-region of Northern Uganda. CARE worked with two local partners in implementing this project: (i) Diocese of Northern Uganda (DNU) and (ii) Gulu Women Economic Development and Globalisation (GWED-G). The purpose of the project was to improve living conditions and income opportunities for 5500 young people of northern Uganda who grew up during the conflict period.

The Expected Objectives of the Project are as Follows: Objective 1: Young people's economy and job opportunities strengthened Objective 2: Young people are informed about their rights and their social resources and influence increased

Out of the two objectives, NUWYLEI expected five outcomes:

Two training/resource centers for young people established;

5,500 young people have acquired new professional knowledge and skills, and have found jobs or self-employment;

220 savings and loans association groups for young people is established and operational beyond project support;

5,500 young people in Acholi sub-region are organized in youth groups and networks, including in groups that handle and resolve local conflicts;

5,500 young people have received training in democracy, civil rights and obligations;

IPOs have enhanced capacity to work with young people as target groups and advocacy to local authorities.

Purpose and scope of the evaluation The overall objective of this end line evaluation is to ascertain the contribution made by the NUWYLEI project on the improvement of living conditions and income opportunities for 5500 young people of Northern Uganda who grew up during the conflict period. Specific objectives of the end line evaluation 1. To establish NUWYLEI’s end of project status by reviewing data collected and documented as per

the Indicator Table that was developed at the project’s start; 2. To establish the impact made by the NUWYLEI project in relations to the outcome indicators

outlined in the project document; 3. To identify best practices and lessons learned during the 3 years of implementation with regards to the

different intervention; 4. To summarize key findings from the project evaluation and provide recommendations for any

potential future projects/programmes targeting conflict-affected young people in Northern Uganda. Scope of work The evaluation covered:

The project implementation period from July 2012 to June 2015

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In terms of geographical coverage, field interviews were conducted in all NUWYLEI implementation sub-counties of Lamogi (Guru Guru, Palema, Agwayugi, Coke, and Lacor Parishes), Alero (Panok rac and Pangur parishes) and Patiko (Kal, Pawel and Pugwenyi parishes).

Methodology and limitations The methodology included review of relevant project documents; focus group discussions and individual interviews with beneficiaries; key informant interviews; discussions with CARE and partners. Apart from the tight schedules that made it impossible for the evaluation team to review daily activities, there were no major challenges faced by the evaluation team. However, this did not affect the outcome of the evaluation significantly. Key Findings

Core Assumptions The project developed assumptions that needed to be realised for successful implementation. The assumptions regarding the willingness and receptiveness of youths and communities; conduciveness of the political and economic environments; cooperation of project strategic partners; and positive environment towards youth empowerment were all relevant and realistic. The assumption regarding the unpredictable weather variation was not realised since there was long dry spell in the first season. Youths expected vocational training The original NUWYLEI Proposal and baseline survey report contained vocational training but this could not be implemented because the vocational training component specifically targeted agricultural skills development. Unfortunately, CARE and implementing IPOs did not explain this to the beneficiaries during the project period.

Achievement of project objectives Objective 1: Young people's economy and job opportunities strengthened Three youth centres were constructed and furnished with basic furniture. Sanitary facilities were constructed too. However, the vocational skills training that were meant to have been conducted at the youth centres was cancelled, purportedly due to lack of adequate funding. Two hundred twenty (220) VSLA groups were established and trained on the VSLA methodology. Majority of them are still functional, six months after the project ended. The VSLA groups were trained on several issues including group dynamics; selection, planning and management of IGAs; good agronomic practices; gender based violence; conflict resolution; climatic change, human rights and good governance among others. Group members have been saving on weekly basis in most groups and members have started businesses and acquired assets, including domestic animals as a result of the VSLA activities. Supporting youths towards increased production was not well done. The support to the few model farmers was inadequate and came too late in the project cycle. The proposed value addition support was also not achieved. Objective 2: Young people are informed about their rights and their social resources and influence increased The training on good governance and leadership has provided youths with different leadership potentials and some youths are already campaigning for various political positions at district, sub-county and parish levels. Through the training in human rights, GBV and psycho social support services, youths have

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become more peaceful in their homes and communities. There is reduction in drinking alcohol by the youths and consequently reduced domestic violence. DNU and GWED-G have proved that they are established on ground and have capacity to implement grass roots projects on ground. The use of CBFs was a plus for the NUWYLEI project because they are based at the community level. The Project Implementation Committees (PICs) were not functional on their own. They only attended meetings organised by the project and were not pro-active as a committee and they probably lack commitment to the cause of the project. Project impacts The evaluation identified the following impacts arising directly from the implementation of the NUWYLEI project:

The VSLA methodology has instilled savings culture among all beneficiary youths;

Youths have become self-employed from newly acquired knowledge and skills;

Youths have become less violent in their homes and communities;

Youths are taking on leadership positions in their communities;

Feeding and payment of school fees has improved among beneficiary youth families;

Youths have developed big plans for their future

DNU and GWED-G have enhanced capacity to work with youths as target groups. Lessons learnt

Improving livelihoods of rural youths by mobilising their own resources is possible;

Empowered and creative women can change bad habits of their husbands;

VSLA can survive and grow without external funding when members realise the benefits;

It is important to explain project variations to target beneficiaries because they are important stakeholders- the case of vocational training;

It is possible for multiple donors to successfully fund the same project.

Challenges

Long dry spell affected first season crops;

Land conflicts;

Some groups have no capacity to continue with VSLA activities;

Low involvement of local governments.

Best Practices

Working with partners instead of direct implementation by CARE;

VSLA groups as an entry point for community development;

Use of role model farmers;

Linkage with private sector and government;

Targeting a homogeneous group- the youths. Evaluation Conclusion

The Project succeeded in creating trained rural development facilitators;

Project succeeded in achieving training outputs;

Project succeeded in introducing the VSLA methodology;

Project succeeded in creating self employment for the youths;

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Project succeeded in reducing alcoholism among the youth;

Project did not succeed in empowering the youths to demand for services;

Project disaapointed youths by failing to deliver on vocational skills training. Recommendations

Reconcile all project documents and have a shared understanding of project documents among all stakeholders;

Support key project activities early in the project cycle;

Implementing Partners should regularly follow up project implementation;

Local governments should try to own projects with good community impacts;

Exchange visits to successful groups and individuals either within or outside the project location should be organised since it enhances replication

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1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1.1 INTRODUCTION CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty in 84 countries. CARE Denmark (CDNK) is a member in the CARE International confederation. In 2012, CARE Denmark in collaboration with CARE International in Uganda entered into a three year cooperation agreement with Telethon and Thune Foundation to implement a youth empowerment initiative project: Northern Uganda War Affected Youth Livelihoods Enhancement Initiative (NUWYLEI) in three districts of the Acholi Sub-region (Gulu, Amuru and Nwoya) covering three sub-counties (one sub-County per district). Two local implementing partner organisations (IPOs) were selected and agreements signed concerning their contributions to project implementation; Diocese of Northern Uganda (DNU) and Gulu Women Economic Development and Globalisation (GWED-G). NUWAYLEI aims to improve living conditions and income opportunities for 5500 young people of northern Uganda who grew up during the conflict period. The initiative was designed around two thematic focus of strengthening the economy and job opportunities for the young people and young people are better informed about their rights and their social resources and influence. The initiative uses the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) as an entry point as well as a platform for carrying out the different activities to enhance young people’s individual agency and bringing about changes at the structural level. Currently, in 2015, the project is in its final year of implementation and CARE International in Uganda therefore, plans to conduct an end line evaluation with the support of an external facilitator to assess the progress made towards the achievements of the intended goals of the project. The evaluation was done by an independent external consultant, Simon Amajuru Madraru who was assisted by Research Assistants (RAs) who worked with the DNU and GWED-G during the implementation of NUWYLEI. However, the RAs only supported data collection with full supervision and support of the consultant. The consultant designed the research tools; oriented RAs; participated in conducting focus group discussions and key informant interviews; guided RAs during interviews; de-briefed CARE and partners; and wrote this final report.

1.2 ABOUT NUWYLEI According to the project proposal and Logframe, the goal of NUWYLEI is: The living conditions and income opportunities for 5500 young people of northern Uganda who grew up during the conflict period improved. The two specific objectives to achieve the above goal are: Objective 1: Young people's economy and job opportunities strengthened Objective 2: Young people are informed about their rights and their social resources and influence increased The NUWYLEI proposal further outline the expected outcomes/results of the project as:

Two training/resource centers for young people established;

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5,500 young people have acquired new professional knowledge and skills, and have found jobs or self-employment;

220 savings and loans association groups for young people is established and operational beyond project support;

5,500 young people in Acholi sub-region are organized in youth groups and networks, including in groups that handle and resolve local conflicts;

5,500 young people have received training in democracy, civil rights and obligations;

IPOs have enhanced capacity to work with young people as target groups and advocacy to local authorities.

1.3 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE EVALUATION AS PER TOR Overall Objective The overall objective of this end line evaluation is to ascertain the contribution made by the NUWYLEI project on the improvement of living conditions and income opportunities for 5500 young people of Northern Uganda who grew up during the conflict period. The major areas of focus for the end line evaluation is to assess the appropriateness of the project’s design, the results achieved during the implementation, and its potential sustainability. Based on an assessment of the project’s successes and failures, the evaluation shall present key learnings and provide recommendations for a potential replication of the project’s intervention areas in other projects/programmes. The evaluation is expected to make recommendations that will help to ensure that the project’s impact remains sustainable.

Specific objectives of the end line evaluation 1. To establish NUWYLEI’s end of project status by reviewing data collected and documented as

per the Indicator Table that was developed at the project’s start; 2. To establish the impact made by the NUWYLEI project in relations to the outcome indicators

outlined in the project document; 3. To identify best practices and lessons learned during the 3 years of implementation with regards

to the different intervention; 4. To summarize key findings from the project evaluation and provide recommendations for any

potential future projects/programmes targeting conflict-affected young people in Northern Uganda.

Scope of work The evaluation covered:

The period from July 2012 to June 2015

In terms of geographical coverage, field interviews were conducted in all NUWYLEI implementation sub-counties of Lamogi (Guru Guru, Palema, Agwayugi, Coke, and Lacor Parishes), Alero (Panok rac and Pangur parishes) and Patiko (Kal, Pawel and Pugwenyi parishes).

In each of these sub-counties, FGDs were held with VSLA groups and individual in-depth interviews held individual VSLA members, youths involved in farming and/or IGAs.

KIIs were held with BAP, LC3 Chairman, 2 Sub-county Chiefs, CDO, and Parish Chief to seek outside perspectives of the project.

In total the evaluation team met 684 (5 sub-county authorities, 9 CBTs, 669 VSLA members and 1 BAP staff) respondents.

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Summaries of interviews are as below: S/N Name of Group Status Sub-

county Parish Female Male CBT

1 Can Miyo Kwiri Youth NUWYLEI-Active Lamogi Guru Guru 21 7

2 Can Coya Youth NUWYLEI-Active Lamogi Guru Guru 8 4 1

3 Dii Cwinyi Youth Group NUWYLEI- Active Lamogi Guru Guru 9 4 1

4 Waryemo Can Youth group NUWYLEI-Active Lamogi Guru Guru 18 12

5 Dyere Keni Farmers’ Group Spontaneous Lamogi Guru Guru 17 15

6 Rubanga ma Miyo Youth Group

NUWYLEI-Active Lamogi Guru Guru 9 5

7 Can Deg Lok NUWYLEI- Disintegrated

Lamogi Guru Guru - 1

8 Ribe Ber Youth Group NUWYLEI-Active Lamogi Palema 15 7

9 Paco Ber NUWYLEI- Active Lamogi Palema 16 7 1

10 Atek ki lwak united youth group

NUWYLEI-Active Lamogi Agwayugi 16 7

11 Keto Cwiny Youth group NUWYLEI-Active Lamogi Palema 4 10 1

12 Mon Oywee Youth Group NUWYLEI- Active Lamogi Palema 12 4

13 Odur wacito Anyim Youth Group

NUWYLEI-Active Lamogi Coke 3 3

14 Cam kwoki kulu Raa Youth Group

NUWYLEI-Active Lamogi Coke 14 6 1

15 Wi Atiya ba Youth Group NUWYLEI-Disintegrated

Lamogi Palema 1 1

16 Gul okan youth group NUWYLEI-Active Lamogi Palema 15 15

17 Can deg mone Youth Group NUWYLEI-Active Lamogi 17 8

18 Waloko kwo youth group NUWYLEI-Active Lamogi Lacor 19 6

19 Acholi oneno lit youth group NUWYLEI-Active Alero Panokrach 16 1

20 Lubanga Twero youth group NUWYLEI-Active Alero Panokrach 9 5

21 Pit Odong ki mon NUWYLEI-Active Alero Panokrach 11 8 1

22 Lacan Kwite Youth Group NUWYLEI-Active Alero Pangur 11 6 1

23 Ribe ber youth group NUWYLEI-Active Alero Panokrac 3 7

24 Wayubu kwo youth group NUWYLEI-Active Alero Pangur 6 9

25 Latek odong youth group NUWYLEI-Active Alero Panokrach 9 4

26 Tii Matek pi Kwo Youth Group

NUWYLEI-Active Alero Panokrach 11 5

27 Dii cwinyi youth group NUWYLEI-Active Alero Pangur 9 5

28 Cac Pe Yweka Youth Group NUWYLEI-Active Alero Panokrach 10 8

29 Lapit pe Daa Youth Group NUWYLEI-Active Patiko Kal 11 4

30 Rwot Omiya Youth Group NUWYLEI-Active Patiko Kal 19 4

31 Yoo Kwo youth group NUWYLEI- Active Patiko Pugwenyi 10 9

32 Unen Anyim Youth Group NUWYLEI-Active Patiko Kal 12 3

33 Bwoto Mege Youth Group NUWYLEI-Active Patiko Pawel 2 11 1

34 Ma Icayo Aye Konyi Youth Group

NUWYLEI-Active Patiko Pawel 25 4 1

35 Ribo cing pi Lweny Ikom Can Youth Group

NUWYLEI-Active Patiko Pawel 9 1

36 Kaa Iyee Young Farmers NUWYLEI-Active Patiko Pawel 28 10

37 Oruu ki tic NUWYLEI-Active Patiko Kal 12 6

Totals 437 232 9

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1.4 METHODOLOGY

1.4.1 Evaluation Approach

The Consultant reviewed the project proposal; project baseline survey report; training manuals and project progress reports by CARE International in Uganda.

The evaluation team held focus group discussions and individual interviews with VSLA groups supported by NUWYLEI project, Individuals of disintegrated VSLA groups supported by NUWYLEI project and Spontaneous VSLA groups not supported by any organisation.

Key Informant Interviews with Sub-county authorities and BAP to provide external information on how the NUWYLEI project was implemented and its sustainability.

Discussions were held with staff of CARE, DNU and GWED-G to assess the knowledge of staff on the design, implementation and management of the NUWYLEI project.

1.4.2 Description of Review Tools

This evaluation was guided by simple check lists that was prepared by the Consultant and discussed with CARE. Research Assistants were trained on the use of the check lists for collecting data during interviews. The check lists are attached as Appendix 2. Since this is an end line evaluation, the focus was more on assessing the achievements with more emphasis on the impacts to beneficiaries. More attention was therefore put on qualitative analysis than quantitative part of it.

1.5 LIMITATIONS This evaluation was largely conducted with active NUWYLEI groups. Only one spontaneous group was interviewed and two disintegrated NUWYLEI supported group members were also interviewed. This limited the benefits that would have come from comparative analysis and in-depth assessment of how members of the disintegrated groups are doing. The evaluation was carried out under very tight schedules that meant ending field work late thus no time for analysis of daily activities by evaluation team. Some interviews were also carried out in hurry and this meant no individual interviews in some groups visited. Few scheduled groups for interviews were also cancelled when it became very late to meet them. This must have caused inconveniences to members who turned up for the meetings. The tight schedule could not allow meeting with the district authorities. Overall however, these limitations did not affect the quality of the findings and the evaluation report.

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2. FINDINGS

2.1 CORE ASSUMPTIONS The Logframe of project contained assumptions that needed to be realised for successful implementation: Project Assumptions:

The youth and communities are willing and receptive to the program The political and economic environments in the country remains conducive and/or improves Project strategic partners are collaborative The political environment is positive to youth socioeconomic and political empowerment The unpredictable weather variation does not worsen to the extent that project activities are halted The assumptions regarding the willingness and receptiveness of youths and communities; conduciveness of the political and economic environments; cooperation of project strategic partners; and positive environment towards youth empowerment were all relevant and realistic. The assumption regarding the unpredictable weather variation was not realised. Long dry spell was experienced throughout the project location and reported during FGDs and individual interviews. However, this did not lead to halting project activities because the project focussed less on crop activities.

2.2 YOUTHS EXPECTED VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Proposal and baseline survey contained vocational training but not implemented According to the NUWYLEI project proposal of April 2012, “… vocational training enables the youth to attain self-sufficiency and financial independence.” The NUWYLEI baseline report, February 2013, acknowledged that the majority of the youth wanted vocational training and outlined some of the priority vocational skills as: motor vehicle mechanics; tailoring; carpentry and joinery; business skills; brick laying and concrete practice; catering; hair dressing; driving, plumbing; and modern agricultural skills. During the de-briefing meeting with the evaluation team, CARE, DNU and GWED-G revealed that the three training centres were mainly established to provide vocational training skills but the project did not have sufficient funds to implement it. Triangulation from Ms. Nanna Callisen Bang from CARE Demark and Sten Andreasen from Sten Andreasen Consulting revealed that although vocational skills training was mentioned in the original NUWYLEI project proposal and the baseline survey report, a decision was taken not to implement it because of the need to concentrate on agricultural skills related vocational training. This evaluation noted that this seems not to have been communicated well to the targeted beneficiaries and therefore caused some disappointments to many youths

2.3 ACHIEVEMENT OF PROJECT OBJECTIVES The NUWYLEI project had two specific objectives: Objective 1: Young people's economy and job opportunities strengthened; Objective 2: Young people are informed about their rights and their social resources and

influence increased.

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2.3.1 Young people's economy and job opportunities strengthened

Under this objective, the project intended to achieve the following:

Establish 2 fully furnished youth training and resource centre Offer vocational skills training for 5,500 youth

Establish 220 village savings and loans association groups

Entrepreneurship and business skills development training for youth

Linkage with private sector and networking for farmers

Exposure and cross-learning

Livelihood diversification strategies

Environmental protection and climate change adaptation Establish 2 fully furnished youth training and resource centres The evaluation established that two new youth centres were constructed, one each at Lamogi and Patiko while another youth centre was renovated and expanded at Alero. All the centres were furnished with basic furniture like chairs and table. Attached to the centres were latrines, which are all functional.

Training at Patiko Youth Center- File Photo1

The training centres have provided office rooms for the sub-counties, especially for the Community Development Officers (CDOs). The youth centres are being used for some district wide meetings and seminars as reported by the Sub-County Chief of Lamogi. Sub-county Authorities in Lamogi and Patiko also revealed that the sub-counties generate income from hire of the youth centres for meetings, trainings and workshops. The evaluation believes that this is good so long as the fund generated is reserved for maintenance of the centres.

According to the NUWYLEI project proposal, this centres were meant to be “training and resource centres for ongoing innovations and diversification of trade skills based on market analysis and will continuously explore new skills and pilot them before adopting for wider application.” The evaluation did not establish any evidence that the centres were involved in the above. Although progress reports of the NUWYLEI indicate that this centres are being used for other trainings for the youth, most youths interviewed confessed not having been trained at this centres.

1 Revised Danish Telethon Semi Annual Report

Completed Training Centre at Lamogi Sub-County- Evaluation Photo

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Offer vocational skills training for 5,500 youths As noted earlier, this component of the project was not implemented. FGDs revealed that some youths were even identified to be trained on their priority choices of vocational skills but they never got any information why their training was not effected. It is apparent that the youths were misguided during the baseline survey that asked for their choices of vocational skills training. Unfortunately, CARE Gulu and the IPOs did not clarify on this issue during the 3 years of implementation. The evaluation team is convinced that vocational training was not part of the NUWYLEI project. Establish 220 village savings and loans association groups This was the most successful component of the NUWYLEI project. Project progress reports and the MTR report all indicate that the 220 VSLA groups were formed, although few groups disintegrated. The evaluation team planned to visit 40 of the VSLA groups but ended up meeting 36 because of time factor and change of strategy after the pre-evaluation with CARE and IPOs decided on the need to meet some spontaneous groups that were formed as multiplier effect of the NUWYLEI project. Out of the 37 groups visited by the evaluation team, 34 were active and functional NUWYLEI supported VSLA groups; 2 were NUWYLEI supported VSLA groups that got disintegrated; while one was a spontaneous2 groups that got their inspiration from the NUWYLEI project, although they never got any support on VSLA methodology from any organisation. The active VSLA groups were either in the second or third cycle of savings and only two had not started after completing their cycle for more than one month. Although the evaluation could not establish the status of all the 220 VSLA groups, we estimate that more than 95% are functional and are likely to continue with VSLA activities for years to come. Some of the spontaneous groups have also progressed to the second cycle of savings but they face serious challenges of operating without proper guidance and members may be cheated by their leaders, especially regarding distribution of interests and recovery of loans to powerful members of the groups. This end line evaluation has confirmed the NUWYLEI proposal that “VSLA is more than savings and loans association, it’s an entry point for building cohesion and social capital.” It is true that CARE used the groups to deliver support and trainings on psychosocial counseling, SGBV, Conflict resolution and gender mainstreaming. The only training listed in the proposal that was not delivered to the VSLA groups was that of functional adult literacy. During FGDs and individual interviews, members attested to the fact the VSLA has delivered in realizing savings and other benefits to the group members. FGDs gave general testimonies like:

Our group has improved saving culture among members as they were taught on the importance of savings3

We got knowledge on how to do a profitable business by making a good business plan and identifying a profitable business4

Group members have got bicycles from BAP, which they are using to transport their produce from the fields to their stores then to the market. Individuals outside groups did not get this opportunity5

Theft and robbery by the youth has reduced because they are in a groups and saving money hence busy and occupied positively6

2 Each of the 9 CBF reported between 3 and 5 spontaneous VSLA groups in his/her Parish. 3 Can deg mone Youth Group, (Lacor Parish) Lamogi Sub-county 4 Can Miyo Kwiri Youth Group- (Guru Guru Parish) Lamogi Sub-county 5 Odur wacitu Anyim Youth Group- (Coke Parish) Lamogi Sub-county 6 Waryemu can Youth group- (Agwayugi Parish) Lamogi Sub-county

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We are able to contain emergency problems that affect the youth through the welfare fund7

The project has given opportunity for young women and men to save and borrow money, and for doing business of their own8

Similarly, beneficiaries of the NUWYLEI project recounted several personal achievements resulting from their participation in the VSLA groups, like Kitara David from Gul Okano youth group in Palema Parish, Lamogi revealed that “From our VSLA group and putting it into proper use, I was able to buy two pigs which I will sell when they grow at high prices in January 2016. We also received training that has made me capable of selecting, planning and managing business and I plan to start buying produce in January 2016 to raise more income”.

Having lived in war ravaged areas for many years, especially in IDP camps, these young people grew up without getting involved in productive working environment. However, the NUWYLEI VSLA groups seem to have re-energised the young people in working hard for themselves. Some of the youths were very open in comparing their past and present lives like Ayet Doreen from Can Deg Bunyo youth group who confessed during a FGD that “In my area I was known as a lazy lady. I used to move from house to house gossiping. I was one time warned in a village meeting from staying with people’s wives. Since I joined this group, there is no time to waste on gossiping. Every time is time for work. Now my plans are only to work money, save, and prepare for my future. I only stay with people who add value in my life.

The Chairman LC3 of Patiko Sub-county seem to confirm the statement of Ayet Doreen during a KII when he said that the NUWYLEI project has made youths busy thus reducing their redundancy. Cases of GBV has reduced in our sub-county and the evidence is clear at the Police. The above are just the few selected testimonies from the members of NUWYLEI supported VSLA groups.

Entrepreneurship and business skills development training for youth The NUWYLEI project planned to equip youths with entrepreneurship and business skills development. This evaluation can confirm that the VSLA groups interviewed were able to mention topics such as: how to select good business, how to keep business records, how to plan business money, how to plan for a business and how to manage a business, among others. Some of them were even able to explain the details of the topics covered, implying that they acquired the knowledge. In fact, the evaluation team strongly believes that this entrepreneurship and business skills development training has added a lot of value to the VSLA methodology because it made the group members not just savers but investors of money. Almost all group members borrowed money to invest in whatever business the money could be invested and they were happy and confident in whatever business they were doing and all this is because of the entrepreneurship and business skills development training. For instance, Oringa Samuel of Dii cwinyi Youth Group from Pangur Parish, Alero sub-county narrated that:

After the business skills training, I borrowed 85,000/= and started the business of buying and selling tomatoes using a bicycle. As you are questioning me now, I have an operating capital of 2,500,000/= and I make a gross income of 600,000/= per week. Because we were advised to diversify our business, I have already bought 3 cows and 2 goats. I am also investing in paying

7 Can Deg Bunyo youth group (Panok Rac Parish) Alero Sub-county 8 Ribu cing pi lweny I kom can group- (Pugwinyi Parish) Patiko Sub-county

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fees for 3 orphans left by my late brother (2 in primary and one in S.4). I now plan to build a permanent house for myself as I continue with the tomato business.

Almost all VSLA group members (women and men) have bought domestic animals as additional investments for future security. It is surprising but empowering to see young women from the age of about 16 years proudly talking in front of men about owning such animals, courtesy of the NUWYLEI supported VSLA groups.

It was a challenge for a woman like me to own property/assets. The empowerment the group got made me to have 3goats now which I plan to multiply for supporting my family. I am also the chairperson of the group and using the leadership skills that I acquired here for strengthening my family9.

After the auction audit I bought 3 goats. This is a big achievement for a young girl of 16 years like me in my community here. My parents are very happy with me and I am a role model especially, for my siblings. I have decided to go back to school and will sit P.L.E next year10.

Being in group helped me to have a plan for the future. In the first action audit, I bought a bull. Now I have bought the second bull.

Next year no one will compete with me in agriculture. Let’s pray that the rain will not be a disappointment again11.

Linkage with private sector and networking for farmers What was implemented under this component was different from what was in the proposal.

According to the proposal:

NUWYLEI will focus on increasing production acreage, facilitating market linkages and value addition

options so that farmers’ incomes are more than before. NUWYLEI will strive to ensure that youth products

are competitive and secured profitable markets. Through the project, CARE Uganda will encourage and

introduce the youth to commercial farming, through for example creating linkages with private sector players.

Among others, Mukwano Industries for sunflower production and Dunavant for cotton are already operating

in Northern Uganda. Value addition initiatives will be explored in partnerships with Uganda National

Bureau of Standards (UNBS) for certification and the private sector interested in investing in certain crops to

provide guaranteed market through formalised sales agreements, for instance Mukwano Company in

sunflower, soybeans.

CARE and partner organizations will expose the youth to collective marketing techniques such as trade

fair/shows, exhibitions, cross-border linkages and creation of marketing associations linked to the district

commercial (production) department so that the farmers benefit from economies of scale, hence earning higher

profits compared to when they sell their produce as individuals.

CARE will collaborate with telecommunication companies to establish appropriate cell-phone based

marketing technology. The system will provide regular information to the farmers on commodity markets and

prices. CARE Uganda and implementing partners will ensure that farmer groups are sensitized and trained

on the benefits of collective marketing.

9 Ajok Margaret of Pit Odong ki Mon Youth group, (Panok rach Parish)- Alero sub-county 10 Aciro Christine of Pit Odong ki Mon Youth group in Alero Sub-county. 11 Oroma Joyce from WanenoAnimYouth Group in Kal Parish, Patiko Sub-county

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The above statements of intent in the NUWYLEI proposal were not achieved and there was no

evidence of any attempt by the project towards achieving them. The NUWYLEI project supported

14 farmers as model farmers but the level of support provided to them was not adequate to make

them commercial farmers. The evaluation team interviewed one Olwero Pawel from Pit Odong ki

Mon Youth Group in Alero Sub-county who was supported with 4 sacks of unshelled groundnuts

seeds and managed to plant 2 acres. By the time of evaluation, he was still harvesting the

groundnuts but one acre was partly spoilt by the prolonged dry spell. He also participated in a two

days training in Gulu town with other farmers on general agronomic practices. Although, he

appreciated the support from the project, the evaluation does not believe that this type of support

can really convert subsistence farming into commercial farming. Moreover, the support was given

only once. The evaluation team also visited one Christine from Rubanga ma Miyo VSLA group who

was supported with two young piglets towards the end of the project. Again, although she is

appreciative of the support, the evaluation team is not convinced that supporting a person with two

small piglets at the end of the project was adequate to make her a commercial farmer within such a

short period.

The evaluation team did not see any activity of value addition during the field visits, although some

potential was seen in Patiko sub-county where some group members, on their own are involved in

sunflower and rice growing. Value addition in rice and sunflower will need rice huller and oil miller,

which were not available within the project area by the time of this evaluation. Many sunflower

growers in Patiko revealed that they are supported by the OC Prisons of Lugore Prison Farm to sell

their sunflower to Mukwano Industries because the Prison Farm also grows sunflower that is sold

to Mukwano and transported to Lira for processing into final products.

The NUWAYLEI project beneficiaries did not talk of any trade show, exhibition, cross border

linkages or formation of marketing association that was supported by the project. Documents

availed for review did not indicate any of these either. The evaluation team is aware that these are all

expensive and very technical initiatives that are probably beyond the scope of the NUWYLEI

project that lasted for hardly three years.

However, the NUWYLEI project had some outstanding linkages to the private sector that had very

strong impacts on the beneficiaries. There was the linkage to Post Bank, which the evaluation team

can confirmed happened with Mon Oywee Women VSLA Group in Palema Parish, Lamogi Sub-

County and benefited from the Credit product of 6 million shillings to boost their IGAs. Members

are able to secure bigger loans to engage in Crop and Livestock Production. The second linkage was

with Ma Icayo Aye Konyi Youth group in Pawel Parish of Patiko Sub-county who are now using

mobile phones for e-banking provided by Post Bank Uganda to the group leaders of VSLA to

facilitate banking transactions. This has made it easy for the group to bank all money not needed for

borrowing instantly. It has also encouraged many group members to open personal accounts with

the bank.

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BAP Photo Acan Concy was able to buy this pig after boosting her cabbage business using the bicycle she acquired from BAP. Concy’s business is now all year round because she can ride long distances to get the cabbages.

BAP Photo Oyet Joseph Mathias was able to get the contract of supplying Lacor Seminary with cabbages and other vegetables after getting a bicycle from BAP. He plans to join Gulu University to pursue a Bachelors degree in Information technology.

The linkage

with Bicycle against Poverty

(BAP) is another

outstanding partnership. BAP is a private company that has linked with CARE to provide youths in groups with bicycles on loan. The youths pay for the loans on monthly basis for a period of one year. Although this bicycles are sold to the youths at market value, the opportunity for having to spread payment within 12 months seems to be a God given opportunity for many of these youths. An interview and report from BAP indicated big progress by the youths since they acquired their bicycles.

In total more than 600 youths received bicycles

from BAP on loan and they are at various stages of completing their payments and fully owning the bicycles. Exposure and cross-learning The NUWYLEI project proposed to explore exposure and cross-learning opportunities both local and external and initiate linkages with relevant or similar (youth empowerment) projects. According to reports from DNU and GWED-G, 89 youths (beneficiaries and a few CBTs) participated in an exposure learning visit

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to Delight Farm in Nwoya district. The learning visit was meant to give the youth an opportunity to learn basic agronomic practice on crop production, fruit farming, agro forestry and poultry keeping. The fourteen model farmers were among those who benefited from this exposure visit. The purpose of this exposure learning was to enable the farmers to learn how to do farming as a business. The farm is multi-purpose and deals in poultry farming (layers), cereal (rice, sorghum) farming, banana farming and horticulture (vegetables, fruits) farming. Appropriate farming techniques, including use of fertilizers is used. Although the farm is large scale and mechanised, Olwero Pawel from Pit Odong ki Mon Youth group who was later supported as a model farmer for groundnuts confessed that the techniques he learnt, including spraying his groundnuts enabled him to get fairly good harvest when other farmers failed completely. He expected to get to not less than 20 sacks of groundnuts from the two acres he planted. Apart from having noted earlier that the support to the model farmers was late, the exposure learning visit was organised towards the end of the project and farmers will not benefit from possibility of follow up in adaptation. Livelihood diversification strategies This component aimed at supporting farmers to diversify livelihood strategies to integrate off-farm

activities and to introduce crop varieties resilient to weather variations. Although the evaluation

team did not visit farmers who acknowledged having benefited from new crop varieties and

initiatives like bee keeping, almost all NUWYLEI supported youths are engaged in livelihood

diversification strategies, especially small businesses, Boda boda, and animal rearing.

Environmental protection and climate change adaptation NUWYLEI proposed to involve young people in community managed documentation, monitoring and

evaluation and communication systems. NUWYLEI will also build capacity of mandated institutions at

community and district levels towards integration of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), adaptation and mitigation

measures into development planning will be carried out. Training on climate change was one of the key

training areas mentioned by all the groups interviewed during the end line evaluation. Many

groups and individuals revealed that they planted trees and more plan to plant it as a result of the

climate change training. A report of the NUWYLEI project indicated that 30 staff of CARE and

IPOs were oriented on Climate change adaptation and community managed disaster risk

reduction while 60 VSLA group members in Patiko sub-county were also trained on community

managed disaster risk reduction.

2.3.2 Young people informed about their rights; their social resources & influence increased

The NUWYLEI project intended to instill responsible citizenship in young people affected on issues of civil rights and responsibilities, democracy, good governance, human rights especially rights of women and children, participation in decision-making and service delivery by public institutions; to make young people more aware of their own abilities, resources and potential to influence decisions that can improve their own situation, and to help foster development in the community; and to make groups of young people capable of responding to conflict in the community. Specifically the project planned to achieve this objective by: The youth trained in civil rights, democratic governance, human rights and leadership

Training in non-violence, peace-building, conflict prevention, resolution and reconciliation, such as domestic violence, neighbour disputes about boundary limits, etc.

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Revamping of district youth structures and youth support networks

Mentoring and role modelling of young people

The youth trained in civil rights, democratic governance, human rights and leadership According to DNU, 2751 (female 1495 & males 1256) youths were trained on democratic governance, human rights, and leadership. Without giving numbers, GWED-G also confirmed having trained youths on human rights, accountability of duty bearers and participation and inclusion of all stakeholders in the development process, among other others. Both implementing partners of NUWYLEI indicated that some CBTs and youths have expressed interest in joining politics as a result of training them on democratic governance. This was confirmed during FGDs and individual interviews during this end line evaluation.

The youth are united and have become respectful in the community as a result of trainings in human rights, psychosocial support, GBV- FGD12

Many youths have been elected and taken leadership positions in the group, something which some never thought about. This has made many youths develop interest in leadership positions in the community, including politics13

The art of public speaking and discipline have been learned in leadership training by the members in the VSLA meetings14

Those strongly contesting in the current political campaigns confirmed by the evaluation team included:

Name Position in NUWAYLEI Position contesting for

Okia David CBT- Pugwenyi Parish LC3- Patiko Sub-county

Adoch Jennifer CBT- Palema Parish District woman Councillor- Amuru

Nakazi Oliver CBT- Pawel Parish Women Councillor- Patiko Sub county

Komakech Benson Chairman- Ma Icayo Aye Konyi VSLA group- Patiko Councillor LC3- Patiko Sub-county

Obong Christopher

Member- Keto cwing Youth Group- Lamogi Councillor LC3- Lamogi Sub-county

GWED-G reported that 16 youths from the VSLA groups are campaigning for various positions at Sub-county and parish levels in Alero, Lamogi and Patiko sub-counties, all having derived their motivation for the good governance and leadership training from the NUWYLEI project. Training in non-violence, peace-building, conflict prevention, resolution and reconciliation, such as domestic violence, neighbour disputes about boundary limits, etc. GWED-G was not specific about numbers but reported having trained youths from VSLA groups on peace building using the DO NO HARM tool because it is a proven in promoting peace among war affected communities. DNU reported having trained 2,533(1,490 female, 1,043 male) youths in peace building and conflict resolution. During the end line evaluation, youths confirmed having benefited from peace building and conflict resolution training from the NUWYLEI project. They associated several benefits of the training in their communities and for the individual youths.

There is reduced GBV in people’s homes as a result of the trainings and sensitizations they received15

12 Wayubu Kwo youth group, (Pangur Parish) Alero Sub-county 13 FGD at Cuke ka iye youth group- (Pawel parish) Patiko 14 Kica ber nen ki tyena youth group- (Kal Parish) Patiko Sub-county 15 Paco Ber Youth Group, (Palema Parish) Lamogi Sub-county

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I could stay alone in my home in isolation, but when I was approached by a friend, I got out and joined this group and I liked it because of the various activities. I now live well with others and my life is now easy16

I used to be a very violent lady. I was so biter on my husband. I wanted to kill my husband because he left me alone with the children. I got healing from the group which made me to forgive my husband and also accept him back in my life. Now we are happy as we raise our children together17

The evaluation team got similar testimonies about the positive effects of the peace building and conflict resolution training from all the FDGs and individual interviews. Apparently, domestic violence on women and children was very high within the community probably because of the trauma of the long war and heavy drinking but this seems to have reduced according to those interviewed during this evaluation. Revamping of district youth structures and youth support networks There was no evidence about the implementation of this component. Mentoring and role modelling of young people This activity was done through training selected number of youths to become role models and spearhead non-violent approaches of resolving conflicts within their communities, especially among the youths. Although, we could not establish the exact number of those trained, DNU reported 25 youths. GWED-G reported that Openy Pito Constantine openly engages youths from Coke Parish to become allies in peace building. He has mobilised a group of youths and they carry out community outreaches where they advocate against behaviours that retard growth and peace at household levels. Angom Susan among the group is said to have excelled in promoting dialogues within families experiencing domestic violence. Partner IPOs have enhanced capacity to work with young people as target groups and advocacy to local authorities This was an outcome that was not specific to either of the two objectives of the NUWYLEI project. DNU and GWED-G are both long term IPOs to CARE International in Uganda. CARE has invested in their organisational development, together with other IPOs through other projects before. Even through the NUWYLEI project, the staff of these IPOs underwent training on: VSLA methodology; Selection, Planning and Management (SPM) of IGAs; Financial literacy; Financial linkages; Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaption. All these training were aimed at equipping the staff of DNU and GWED-G, including their CBTs on effective implementation of the NUWYLEI project. FGDs and individual interviews with VSLA groups and members testified to the fact that the IPOs had the capacity to effectively implement the NUWYLEI project. Strengthened involvement of the Project Implementation Committees (PICs) The PICs were said to have been formed at district and sub-county levels, meaning that there were three district PICs in Gulu, Amuru and Nwoya and three sub-county PICs at Patiko, Lamogi and Alero. Due to the own going political campaigns, it was not possible to meet any of the PICs. Individual interviews with the LC3 Chairman of Patiko, Sub-county Chiefs of Patiko and Lamogi, CDO of Patiko, and Parish Chief (Kal) of Nwoya all confirmed that the PICs were formed. However, they all revealed in the different meetings that the PICs were not functional due to lack of facilitation but we consider this as lack of commitment and pro-activeness on the leadership of the PICs and the Local governments. The midterm review report indicated that the PICs were not

16 Acii Irene, Can Coya Youth Group, (Guru Guru Parish) Lamogi Sub-county 17 Acayo Joyce- Can deg mone Youth group- (Lacor Parish) Lamogi Sub-county

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functional and needed to be strengthened but nothing seems to have changed although the debriefing meeting with CARE and IPOs indicated that meetings of PICs were organised at quarterly basis. The evaluation team did not find any evidence indicating the functionality of the PIC and the individual members interviewed all indicated very limited knowledge about their roles, especially those related to promoting coordination and networking at Sub County levels with the district and the parish structures. The evaluation agrees with CARE and IPOs that the failure of PICs to function independently cannot be blamed on the NUWYLEI project.

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2.4 PROJECT IMPACTS Impact here is defined as the change that has occurred, especially focusing changes brought as a result of direct project intervention.

2.4.1 The VSLA methodology has instilled savings culture among all beneficiary youths

All the youths in VSLA groups are saving money on weekly basis and yet all those interviewed confessed they used not to save any money and believed saving was only for the rich. This is definitely a great change in attitude. It was even more interesting to find out that many youths increased on their savings levels after the first cycle. This positive change of attitude has resulted into improved incomes of the VSLA members, even for spontaneously formed VSLA groups. For instance, Akot Brenda from Atek ki Lwak United Youth group in Agwayugi parish of Lamogi Sub-county reported that “I saved 73,000/= in the first cycle of VSLA, borrowed 50,000/= which I repaid and received a total of 136,000/= at the end of cycle. I invested 60,000/= in buying a she goat that is about to produce now. In the second cycle, I increased my savings to 95,000/=, borrowed 100,000/= for school fees and still received a total of 160,000/= at the end of the cycle after refunding the group loan and decided to diversify by buying a pig at 50,000/=”. Below are similar details of the savings, total money received, loans taken and investments by randomly selected youths for detailed interviews by the end line evaluation team. Can Coya Youth Group- Guru Guru Parish, Lamogi Sub-county

Name Status savings Received Invested Savings Received Invested

Cycle1 Cycle1 Cycle1 Cycle2 Cycle2 Cycle2

Adiyo Janet F 90,000 100,000 Goat(1) 96,000 109,000 Goat

Amony Grace F 430,000 565,000 Cow 460,000 580,000 2Goats+seeds

Ocitti Bosco M 52,000 69,000 - 374,000 437,000 Goat+cow

Acaye Charles M 120,000 153,000 Goat 110,000 138,000 Cow

Dyere Keni Youth Group (Spontaneous group)- Guru Guru Parish, Lamogi Sub-county

Name status savings Received Loan Invested Savings Received Loan Invested

Cycle1 Cycle1 Cycle 1 Cycle1 Cycle2 Cycle2 Cycle 2 Cycle2

Onung Richard M 100,000 150,000 50,000 Goat 165,000 312,000 250,000 Dowry

Oloko Maro M 220,000 238,000 20,000 2 Goats - - - -

Arach Santa F 50,000 90,000 20,000 School fees 80,0000 100,000 - Goat Garden

Tii Matek pi Kwo Youth Group- Panok Rac parish, Alero Sub-county

Name status Savings Received Invested Savings Received Invested

Cycle1 Cycle1 Cycle1 Cycle2 Cycle2 Cycle2

Obwola David M 200,000 225,000 2 goats 70,000 84,000 Topped for second hand motorbike

Opila Geoffrey M 40,000 45,000 Fees 100,000 130,000 Seeds/ploughing

Atoo Sarah F 50,000 54,000 food 90,000 99,000 Fees

Lamaro Jennifer

F 60,000 66,000 goat 150,000 180,000 Small shop

Bwoto mege Youth Group- Pawel Parish, Patiko Sub-county

Name status Savings Received Loan Invested Savings Received Loan Invested

Cycle 1 Cycle 1 Cycle 1 Cycle 1 Cycle2 Cycle 2 Cycle 2

Cycle 2

Otim Geoffrey

M 98,000 124,000 350,000 farm work 1 goat

270,000 400,000 500,000 Farm work Pair of

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Oxen

Okot Stephen

M 160,000 270,000 90,000 Pork roasting 2 goats

400,000 500,000 300,000 Pork roasting Farm work

From the above examples, most of the youths have increased on their savings levels from cycle 1 to cycle 2 and all are serving for a purpose (investment). What surprised the evaluation team was Dyere Keni VSLA Group, a spontaneous group, that started after seeing the progress by the NUWYLEI VSLA groups and yet they missed such opportunity. They started saving on their own and very progressive, according to their own assessment. This is a very big impact by the NUWYLEI project. Most of the groups are continuing with savings, six months after the official end of the project.

2.4.2 Youths have become self-employed from newly acquired knowledge and skills

Through the training in the selection, planning and management (SPM) of income generating activities (IGAs), almost all the VSLA group members have started businesses that have made them self-employed. Where their savings levels are low, men have contributed their own savings to support their wives to start small market vending businesses. This has made most VSLA group members to become self-employed, as testified during this evaluation.

I had no money, but started savings with the coming of VSLA, started borrowing money for starting brewing local waragi as a business. I then moved to hiring a motorbike for boda boda business where I could get 50,000/= every week. I did that for a year until I bought my own motor bike. I now earn about 100,000/= a week. I plan to buy a grinding mill early next year18

When NUWYLEI project was introduced, we were mobilized to form Gul Okano Youth Group here in Palema parish, Lamogi sub-county but I never knew I could save my money and start my own business, leave alone having a good house to stay in. I started saving and also hiring a motor cycle for boda boda business. In 2014, I established my own Saloon business at Lacor trading Centre with a saving of 300,000/=, where I get a net profit of more than 80,000/= per week. With this weekly earnings from my salon and boda boda business, I started building a permanent two- bedroomed house that I have completed and installed solar on it. I have no problems paying fees for my children yet this was always a problem. My plan is now to start a General Merchandise shop at Lacor trading Centre early next year19

I joined Mon Oywee VSLA group in 2013 and started saving. The same year, from the knowledge I got about starting, planning and managing a business, I borrowed 150,000/= for buying and selling silver fish that I sell at Keyo and Mon Roc markets. I now earn more than 150,000/= every week and I have saved 1,050,000/=. Apart from this saving in cash, I already bought 7 goats and a pair of oxen with the ox plough. My plan for next year is to open a shop for selling cooking oil, soap and other household commodities used daily by every household. After that I want to construct a permanent house for my family. I do all this with full support of my husband who is also a member of the group20

At only 17 years when I joined Dii Cwiyi Youth Group here in Pangur parish- Alero sub-county, I never knew about saving money. After that we started saving money on weekly basis. After action audit, I bought a goat, started a business of selling in the market with 100,000/= and my capital has grown to 400,000/= now. I have now bought 2 goats and planted 2 acres of rice. I now plan to buy a cow because I know I can achieve whatever I plan. My life is already much better at 19 years because I can afford all essential needs21

Life is what you make. Being in a group made me to abandon my funny group where we competed on the number of beers we took in a day. I was considered a useless boy in my family. But thanks to NUWYLEI project that turned my life around. When I joined this group my first loan was 50,000/=with which I began selling local brew. I began selling brew because my entire friends were drunkards. From what I learnt from NUWYLEI, especially selecting a good IGA and in order to help my friends, I left selling brews and diverted my money into agriculture. I was started using them as part of labourers in the garden. I bought 1 sack of groundnut, planted and got 5 sacks out of that. I sold 4 sacks at 85,000/= each. This made me to pay fees of my children, my

18 Ongwen Michael Okwir from Can Miyo kwiri Youth Group- Gruru Guru Parish, Lamogi Sub-county. 19 Ayela Walter 20 Alonyo Christine from Palema Parish, Lamogi sub-county 21 Aciro Scovia

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saving and paying back the loan. The remaining sack I planted in the second season. Now I am harvesting and from the harvest I might get over 10 sacks. Some of my friends have also left drinking and have become more responsible with their own gardens22

Similar testimonies as above were all over the 37 VSLA groups visited by the evaluation team, including from members of disintegrated groups who are still using the knowledge and skills gained from the NUWYLEI project. The end line evaluation can confirm that through the introduction of savings and training groups in SPM, lives of most youths have become better through increased income at their disposal and they are now involved in various businesses including but not limited to: boda boda, selling in the market (silver fish, tomatoes, cabbages, onions), hair dressing (saloon), airtime selling, restaurants, farming (rice, groundnuts, soya beans, simsim, sunflower, etc), animal rearing (goats, pigs, cattle, local chicken), brewing, sodas, and fuel (petrol and diesel).

2.4.3 Youths have become less violent in their homes and communities

Through the VSLA groups, psychosocial support training, including issues related to Sexual Gender Based Violence were imparted to the youths. The testimonies made by the youths regarding their past were alarming, with most women confessing that they used to isolate themselves or they were generally violent. One woman confessed in the FGD with the evaluation team that she even considered killing her husband.

With the knowledge of the GBV training I now drink to relax instead of drinking to finish people as I used to do. This has created a big change in my family. Problems that were coming due to heavy drinking, including fear from my children has stopped because I can now sit and joke with my wife and children23

I used to be very arrogant to my husband and that normally caused fights in our home but after the training, I tried something new by respecting him, that cooled things down and the fights stopped completely. I have learnt to be respectful to my husband because it has brought peace in my household. It has increased love between me and my husband24

I was a violent lady to my husband, my children and the community members. I left my husband ’s home four times due to gender based violent, normally started by myself. After the GBV training I drastically change and now we are enjoying good relations in my family25

I used to be a very violent lady. I was so biter on my husband. I wanted to kill my husband because he left me alone with the children. I got healing from the group which made me to forgive my husband and also accept him back in my life. Now we are happy as we raise our four children together26

Many of the confessions by women in fact disapprove the opinion that GBV is only caused by men. This may be a result of the trauma caused by the long war in Northern Uganda but it is an important finding for future programming of GBV related interventions. A key dimension to domestic violence, especially by most men was alcoholism but this seems to have reduced greatly and with some men stopping the habit of taking alcohol altogether after joining VSLA groups.

Much as I was violent, especially after drinking, now I have developed the spirit of living harmoniously with other people. Now I have friends within our VSLA group and I am living peacefully with my group members, the community and also my family. After I stopped drinking, I managed to change the attitude of fellow youth and more so my brothers to have positive attitude towards agricultural work27

22 Orema Victor- Waneno Anyim Youth Group, Kal Parish- Patiko Sub-county 23 Oola Richard, Pit Odong ki mon Youth group- (Panok rac Parish), Alero Sub-county 24

Atim Sunday- Can Coya Youth Group- Guru Guru- Lamogi Sub-county. 25 Akello Stella- Can Coya Youth Group- Guru Guru- Lamogi Sub-county 26 Acayo Joyce- Can deg Mone Youth Group- Lacor Parish- Lamogi Sub-county 27

Oloya Vandam from Can Coya Group- Guru Guru Parish, Lamogi Sub-county

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There is now reduced GBV and conflicts in my home. I used to drink heavily and fight with my wife at least twice a week28

Joining this group has made me to reduce drinking. Now I save a lot and quarrelling with my wife has reduced a lot. There is now no conflict in my home because all the quarrels were triggered by my heavy drinking29.

Just like the impact on Savings, the NUWYLEI project has direct positive change in domestic and community wide violence. Apart from most men and women changing their drinking behavior, members of NUWYLEI VSLA groups acquired knowledge and skills of solving conflicts. This was confirmed in a FGD with Cuke ka Iye Youth Group in Pawel Parish of Patiko Sub-county when one member reported that “through the training we got in GBV, we are now able to counsel families suffering from such without referring the matter to the local council or the police”.

2.4.4 Youths are taking on leadership positions in their communities

All the 220 VSLA groups have provided the youths with opportunities to exercise their leadership potentials as Chairpersons, Secretary, Treasurer and Mobilisers. Because of this, some youths have been elected to various leadership positions in their communities. Abola Martin and Acayo Joyce both from Can Deg Mone Youth Group in Lacor Paris, Lamogi Sub-county testified to this:

Being in this group gave me leadership position as the secretary of the group. As a leader of the group my life has been moulded to reflect the life of a leader. This has made me to be an exemplary youth in the community. I am now more confident because I know how to work with people. I write good minutes for the group and this has earned me honour and respect. In case of any meeting within our community, I am automatic secretary. In Lacor parish, I am known as a good mobilizer. People always appreciate my quality of presentation which I learnt from the group. I am now popular in my community because of being in the group. I feel proud to introduce and associate myself with Can Deg Mone youth Group without fear. This is because the group has exposed me and the members of the group as most trusted, respected and hard working group of youths. Personally, I do not want political leadership but I am now the Coordinator of Lacor youth with Enterprise Uganda on farming as business. They include, Pit Odong ki Mon women group, Can Kura youth group and Yot kom aye VHT group. These are not members of NUWYLEI project but they elected me as their Coordinator30.

NUWYLEI gave me an opportunity to be a leader when I was elected the chairperson of this group. This latter gave me another chance to be elected as the Chairperson of Lacor Day Care Centre. I am also a leader of Obiya Youth in Pida Village. In Lacor I am the Treasurer of Women League and the Treasurer of Task Force in the 3 villages of Obiya Pida, Palema and Lwalakwar. In this Task Force I am also the representing the voices of women to Lamogi sub county and sometimes up to Amuru district31

All members of VSLA groups were trained in group dynamics, which has made them to learn good communication and leadership skills. All the CBTs of the NUWYLEI project have attained a minimum of “O” level education; they acquired several trainings in leadership and community development; they are rooted in their communities and they have the potential to take on any leadership position in their communities. As reported earlier (under 2.3.2) three CBTs and 2 group members of the NUWYLEI project confirmed their participation in the current political campaigns to the evaluation team. Whether they go through or not, this is a big statement by the NUWYLEI project regarding the development of leadership potential of the youths.

2.4.5 Feeding and payment of school fees has improved

The only source of livelihood for these youths was subsistence farming that normally is exclusively dependent on rainfall, which normally is very unreliable. All groups interviewed reported long dry spell that destroyed most first season crops. During a FGD with Can Miyo Kwiri youth group in Guru Guru Parish, Lamogi sub-county, a woman stated that “with the prolonged drought of this year, if we

28 Lakony Richard- Cac Pe Yweka VSLA group- Panok Rach Parish- Alero Sub-county 29 Okumu Dan Ociti- Oruu ki Tic Youth Group- Kal Parish- Patiko Sub-county 30 Abola Martin 31 Acayo Joyce

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were not organised into this VSLA group, famine would have scattered us. We shall never abandon our VSLA”. Her statement was in response to how sustainable their VSLA group will be, now that the NUWYLEI project has closed. Many people gave testimonies of how their VSLA groups through the savings and loaning has supported them in feeding their families.

I have realised that hunger is the source domestic violence in the house and in the community. Being in a VSLA group has helped me to save money and also get loan. With the loan I am now in position to feed my family well. This has reduced to zero the incidences of gender based violent in my house32

I am now a business woman. With the profit I am getting from the business, my family can now eat good food, my children are never chased from the school because of the timely payment I make to school33

The activities of the VSLA groups also supported some members to go back to school while most group members reported that their children are going to school without interruptions from being sent home for fees payment. A FDG with Can Deg Mone Youth group indicated that “two ladies from the group opted to fulfil their earlier dream by joining the teaching profession. With the exposure brought by NUWYLEI, Akello Monica who is the secretary of the group and Apio Gladys are now in Airfield Nursery Training School. They are finishing their studies early next year”. Several examples related to impact of the NUWYLEI project in education were given in all the FDGs and individual interviews.

Being in group gave me a second opportunity to go back to school after dropping out two years ago. This is because I am now able to save money, get loan and do business that is supporting me to pay my own school fees. I joined Cream Land in Senior 3. I am confident of completing “O” level this time and going beyond34

My children used to suffer in their education. Every term they would be sent home due to failure to pay fees. When I join this group I was in position to get the loan to support my family in term of business that generates profit, which I use to pay their school fees. Even my garden has expanded due to joint effort from other group members. Hunger in my family is also a story of the past35

2.4.6 Youths have developed big plans for their future

The businesses established by the young people have improved the self-esteem of the youths; they are taking the education of their children more seriously; and some have gone back to school themselves. Above all they have bigger plans for their future that includes building permanent houses, farming on commercial basis and starting bigger businesses, which some of them have already started to implement.

I have already started implementing my plans for the future. I want to have my children educated up to University level and I enrolled all my children to school. I want to establish a forest of at least 3,000 pine trees and I have already planted over 600 pines on an acre of land. I have realised that trees are steadier in generating income in future than seasonal crops. Finally I want to expand my business selling sodas and beer beyond my locality36

2.4.7 DNU and GWED-G have enhanced capacity to work with youths as target groups

As reported earlier, both DNU and GWED-G are long term partners of CARE but having mainly partnered on general livelihoods and women empowerment programmes. This is the first time CARE is partnering with them in working on youths as specific target group. These youths in Northern Uganda are a very important category of people because they were born in IDP camps

32 Kivola Denish – Lubanga Twero Youth group, Panokrac Parish- Alero sub-county 33 Adokorach Janet- Lapit pe Daa Youth Group- Kal Parish, Patiko sub-county 34 Otika Simon- Wayubu Kwo Youth Group, Pangur Parish-Alero Sub-county 35 Ayo Florence- Cam kwoki Kulu Raa Youth Group- Coke Parish, Lamogi sub-county 36 Olyel John- Can Coya VSLA group, Guru Guru Parish, Lamogi Sub-county

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and lost several opportunities, including education. Some were even abducted by rebels and they are generally traumatized. They are unemployed and mostly unemployable and yet having grown in IDP camps means most of them were not exposed to farming. Therefore, this makes the youth a unique and delicate target group especially in attempting to change them from unproductive and violent life styles to productive and peaceful people. This end line evaluation can confirm that the capacities of DNU and GWED-G, judged from the impact of the NUWYLEI project on the target youths, in implementing projects targeting young people is very high. With well-trained field staff and CBFs, DNU and GWED-G have become a trade name in implementing youth focused programmes in Northern Uganda. In a KII with the consultant, Lamogi Sub-county Chief remarked that “DNU and GWEG-G have worked together with CARE in Lamogi sub-county and converted many youths from being idle and drunkards into exemplary people who are saving money, buying goats, pigs and cows. They have settled down to do different businesses and farming. It is just remarkable” 37.

37 Kisembo Mathias- Sub-county Chief of Lamogi

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3. LESSONS, CHALLENGES & BEST PRACTICES

3.1 LESSONS LEARNT In this section, the evaluation draws out some lessons that can be learnt from the livelihoods project.

3.1.1 Improving livelihoods of rural youths by mobilising their own resources is possible

The NUWYLEI project did not have a lot of direct financial and material support to the VSLA groups. Apart from providing the VSLA groups with Tool Kits that were eventually paid off by most groups, there was no other reported financial or material support to the groups. However, the groups received a lot of support in terms of technical guidance in savings, loaning and records keeping. Considering the achievements reported by individual group members in terms of the cash saved, the businesses established, the assets bought, the better feeding, and the school fees being paid after the NUWYLEI project, one can only conclude that improving livelihoods does not depend on money. It is possible to mobilise youths to do what they believe in and guide them in achieving their goals.

3.1.2 Empowered & creative women can contribute to men’s attitude & behavioural change

The stories of both women and men during this end line evaluation indicated that the women are more creative in starting and managing businesses. After getting loans, which normally were not big amounts, women went into small IGAs and their husbands realized that the businesses were growing steadily with most women even buying goats and pigs. This made the men to contribute to businesses started by their wives and slowly started reducing on earlier habits, especially drinking. Most men confessed having abandoned drinking and being violent to their wives and children.

3.1.3 VSLA can survive and grow without external funding when members realise the benefits

As noted before, the VSLA groups under NUWYLEI proved that members can raise their own money. This is contrary to the general believe that government or some NGO must inject money in terms of grant or “soft loan” in order to flourish. A case at hand is the Teachers’ SACCO that armed twisted government to make contributions of many billion shillings yet the teachers earn monthly salary. Government made contribution to this SACCO but it is not clear whether teachers are benefiting from it. Without any external funding, most of the NUWYLEI supported VSLA groups are very active in savings and loaning, even after the official end of partner implementation of the project in June 2015. 3.1.4 It is important to explain project variations to target beneficiaries because they are

important stakeholders- the case of vocational training Project proposals are made before donor commitments and are likely to vary with the proposal. This seems to be the case with the NUWYLEI project. One of the strongly proposed component for intervention in the NUWYLEI project was vocational training that even remained a key component during the initial mobilisation of beneficiaries. However, this component was not implemented and the beneficiaries claimed having no idea of what happened. During this evaluation, beneficiaries from Paco Ber Youth group in Palema parish and Waryemu Can Youth group in Agwayugi parish both in Lamogi sub-county were particularly very disappointed about the cancellation of the vocational skills

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training. They claimed beneficiaries were selected but not called for training. The evaluation team strongly believes that CARE and IPOs would have averted the expectation of the youths. In any case, as clarified by CARE latter, vocational skills training was not part of the final project description, plan and budget. 3.1.5 It is possible for multiple donors to successfully fund the same project The NUWYLEI project was a very successful project despite the fact that the funding came from two different donors. This was possible because the donors agreed to fund specific components and activities of the project. CARE also performed well in coordinating the two donors in fulfilling their roles as donors. Below is the funding arrangement of the NUWYLEI project S/N THUNE TELETHON

1 Economic Empowerment and Job opportunities Establishment of 220 VSLA groups for young people/youth.

Entrepreneurship training in realistic market opportunities, savings, loans and investment

2 Construction of three learning centres in Alero, Lamogi and Patiko

Training in thematic areas PSS, Gender equality

3 Young farmers to join networks

4 Capacity building on climate change adaptation.

5 Young people are informed about their rights and their social resources and influence increased

6 Training in peace building and local conflict resolution (including domestic violence, land conflict)

7 Creating contact with role models for young people

This model can well succeed if the donors agree on the specific components and activities to be funded, the use of a common policy for the implementing organisation(s) to follow and finally get committed to funding schedules. We complement Thune and Telephone for a successful NUWYLEI project and thumbs up to CARE Denmark and CARE Uganda for a job well done. This arrangement of funding makes funding of bigger development projects possible through pulling out of resources.

3.2 CHALLENGES This section covers external factors that affected the smooth implementation of the project and therefore negatively affected the realization of project outcomes.

3.2.1 Long dry spell affected first season crops All groups interviewed during this end line evaluation reported long period of no rain that destroyed all their crops for first season. This affected many members who expected to use money from sales of crops to repay their loans and even made the cost of living at home high since they had to buy food that they should have got from their gardens. For instance a FGD with Can Miyo Kwiri Youth Group reported that “we always depend on agriculture to support the family welfare. The money for saving is sometimes got from selling some of the product from farming. Unfortunately this period climate change affected production. This also affected our saving.” In most groups it was reported that the savings for the months of May and June dropped drastically due to food shortage resulting from the dry spell. Many members failed to save at all during this period.

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3.2.2 Land conflicts Land conflicts within Acholi sub-region seems to be a big problem and this is affecting many youths who were born in IDP camps and lost their parents since they do not know their ancestral land. The CDO of Patiko Sub-county revealed that land conflicts have contributed to the disintegration of some NUWYLEI groups and even caused deaths to individuals in his sub-county. This was confirmed by Nakazi Oliver, CBT in Pawel parish of Patiko sub-county who informed the evaluation team that 3 groups out of the 7 she facilitated have since disintegrated and one was due to land wrangle that displaced all the group members. 3.2.3 Some groups have no capacity to continue with VSLA activities The project proposal for NUWYLEI recognized the very high rate of illiteracy among the youths who missed the opportunity to go to school during the war. The evaluation team confirmed that majority of the members of the VSLA groups are illiterate. Cam Kwoki Kulu Raa youth group in Coke Parish of Lamogi sub-county reported in during their FGD that “the majority of the members in our group are not educated and this is making it difficult for us to rotate leadership positions.” A similar statement was made by Abola Martine of Can Deg Mone Youth group when he gave the main challenge of their group as “only 2 members of the group can read and write and in case they are not around members have challenges with saving because nobody can keep the records”. When asked about the sustainability of the VSLA groups without the support of the CBFs, some group members expressed fear about it and Odong Patrick of Can Miyo Kwiri youth group openly said that he will stop saving because sharing profits will become a problem and this can even lead to open fighting among members. 3.2.4 Low involvement of local governments The evaluation team got conflicting feedback regarding the involvement of local governments in the NUWYLEI project. While all the sub-county authorities interviewed argued that they not involved in the implementation of NUWYLEI, CARE and partners maintained that local governments were fully involved through the specially constituted PICs. According to GWED-G and DNU the roles of the PICs are:

GWED-G

Providing technical support to the project team during the project implementation period

Attending monthly review/quarterly meeting and reporting to the various stakeholders the progress and challenges facing the project implementation,

Working with the various groups in your areas of jurisdiction and wherever assign to give backstopping,

Ensuring that project beneficiaries are selected basing on the agreed selection criteria,

Providing backstopping support to Community Based Facilitators and group leaders,

Carrying out follow-up and support visits to monitor social and economic progress of group activities,

Strengthening coordination and networking at Sub County levels with the district and the parish structures.

DNU

Participating in quarterly monitoring of the project implementation at the district level,

Reporting to the office of the District community development office.

From the above, it is clear that the understanding of the roles of the PICs by the two IPOs is not the same yet they are implementing the same project. Both GWED-G and DNU also confirmed that the PICs did not have any budget to facilitate their functions. What the end line

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evaluation can confirm is that by the time of evaluation, the PICs had not met for more than five months and the Chairman LC3 of Patiko said that the last PIC meeting was in May 2015.

3.3 BEST PRACTICES 3.3.1 Working with local partners instead of direct implementation by CARE The strategy of working with IPOs is empowering and more sustainable. Both DNU and GWED-G are local organisations in Northern Uganda and will hopefully continue to raise resources to remain relevant in providing community development services to the people. The recruitment of CBFs who are resident within the locations of the VSLA groups is even more empowering. The success of the VSLA groups will among other things depend on the availability of the CBFs. Bwoto Mege Youth group in Pawel Parish of Patiko sub-county is perhaps a good example to illustrate the importance of a CBF:

Bwoto Mege youth group was one of the 3 groups that disintegrated after the first cycle of their VSLA. They had their audit action in August 2014 after saving for 8 months when their total savings was 2,936,000/=. Immediately misunderstanding developed among members and all group activities stopped. After NUWYLEI officially closed in June 2015, I started to reorganize the group members within my village. In August 2015, we revived saving and I became a group member and this brought back the confidence of members. As of today (12th Dec 2015), my personal savings is 240,000/=. Because of this, we managed to get support from the Youth Livelihood project of government for piggery and Ox traction projects. Bwoto Mege Youth Group is now planning to buy two more bulls to expand the Ox traction project. I am convinced that this group is dependent on me for guidance but since I am also a member, I also benefit directly38.

3.3.2 VSLA groups as an entry point for community development The VSLA methodology is empowering because it challenges every member to save and therefore drives away the mentality that group members are too poor to help themselves. The introduction of different knowledge and skills training to the VSLA groups contributed to all the impacts on the youths and their households, especially regarding their investments (business, buying livestock, and farming); education of children; peaceful co-existence; etc. 3.3.3 Use of role model farmers Although only 14 people were supported out of the 5,500 youths and the support coming very late in the project cycle, there is evidence that the model farmers are motivated to do farming as a business. The crop farmers are planning to increase their acreages of selected crops like groundnuts, rice and sunflower instead of growing many crops for subsistence. They also want to apply the knowledge and skills they obtained like better land preparation, line planting, timely weeding, pest control and avoidance of post-harvest loses. Olwero Pawel of Pit Odong ki Mon youth Group in Alero sub-county was full of praise for NUWYLEI project because by teaching him how to use pesticides and fertilizer he estimates to harvest at least 20 sacks of groundnuts from two acres where other farmers are harvesting nothing because of the long dry season. 3.3.4 Linkage with private sector and government

38 Nakazi Oliver- CBF Pawel Parish

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Linkages normally expand on the project outcomes and impacts for a project. For the case of NUWYLEI, the linkages that had big impacts included Post Bank and BAP for the private sector while the government linkages included Youth Livelihood Projects and Operation Wealth Creation. NGOS like Save the Children also supported some youth groups. 3.3.5 Targeting a homogeneous group- the youths Groups are more successful when they are homogeneous. Probably NUWYLEI had this in mind when the project was designed to target youths only. Although the evaluation team came across group members far beyond the age category of youths, they were not many and those talked to claimed having replaced their children or dependants who had gone to school or left the villages for other opportunities. Targeting youths has made enforcement of discipline much easier than if elders were part of them since elders command more respect culturally here. Also youths have similar interests and their calendars (daily and weekly) are similar. Positive competition among same youths has also made them more progressive.

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4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 CONCLUSIONS The following are the general conclusions of the evaluation.

4.1.1 The Project succeeded in creating trained rural development facilitators The NUWYLEI project recruited and trained 28 Community Based Facilitators who are based at the Parish levels. The CBFs received all the basic training in community development facilitation and implementation and all of them are practicing what they are teaching to the groups.

I believe I am the first beneficiary of the NUWYLEI project. Not because I get a lot from it financially but it trained me how to manage my life with little money. I had earlier worked as a Guard in Iraq for three years (2009-2011) and by the time I returned, I found 21 million shillings on my Bank Account. Having gone to Iraq while I had completely nothing, I imagined this was too much money. I resorted to drinking as a full time job and abusing my wife (quarreling and fighting) whenever I was drunk. By February 2013 when NUWYLEI project was introduced here, I had nothing left apart from the piece of land that I bought at 5 million shillings. I wanted to sell it but I was taken as a CBF. After our orientation, I realized that I was going to be a community leader and took a decision to stop drinking, a decision I have I have maintained till now. The violence in my home stopped and I have maintained a peaceful family ever since. I instantly became a role model in my community. Through my own facilitation, Lubanga Ma Miyo VSLA group, where my wife is a member was formed. She became very active with the group and borrowed money to buy a female pig with piglets. This year, I got involved in farming as a business and planted 4 acres of rice and 3 acres of groundnuts but unfortunately the dry spell spoilt everything. I am not giving up on life and together with my wife, I am planning to make bricks to construct a commercial building at Akwaa Trading centre and start produce buying and selling business by April 201639.

I was recruited as a CBF in May 2013. Since then, I have gained a lot of knowledge and experience through the training and exposure. Specifically, I have gained confidence in Public speaking and the strength to confront individuals and institutions on rights based issues like GBV without fear. NUWYLEI has also increased my popularity within my sub-county, which has made people to approach me to offer myself as a District Woman Councilor for Lamogi in Amuru district, a request I have accepted40.

I have worked with NUWYLEI since inception and it was my first job. From IDP camp to the village was difficult life and I used all my time with friends in drinking. This stopped after joining NUWYLEI because I was exposed to many opportunities that keep me busy. I have been saving and so far invested in buying a plot of land for commercial building; I have bought four bulls and paired them into two pairs of ox-ploughs; and this year I planted 4 acres of rice, 4 acres of groundnuts, 1 acre of cotton and 0.8 acres of chilli. Two of my children are schooling in Gulu (boarding schools). I feel all I have is NUWYLEI and I am particularly proud of the progress of group members. Seven members of the group members have saved and bought motor cycles for boda boda business, two members bought 20 acres and 10 acres of land each, and 10 have started retail shop business41.

4.1.2 Project succeeded in achieving training outputs In all interviews, beneficiaries of the NUWYLEI project were able to remember the various training topics and even elaborating on them. Given the low levels of literacy among the members, this is a good achievement. 4.1.3 Project succeeded in introducing the VSLA methodology The VSLA methodology has been introduced successfully among the 220 groups. Even members of the disintegrated groups confessed that they will continue saving. Interviews with the CBFs indicated that at least 3 spontaneous VSLA groups have been formed in each Parish with the NUWYLEI project and have requested the support of the CBFs. According to the CBF, Ngee Can Ni group in Pangur Parish in Alero sub-county is already saving in the second cycle after a

39 Odoch James, CBF Guru Guru Parish- Lamogi subcounty 40 Adoch Jennifer, CBF Pawel Paris- Lamogi sub-county 41 Okwera Patrick, CBF Panocrach- Alero sub-county

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successful Action Audit. Thus all the spontaneously formed VSLA groups are the multiplier effect of NUWYLEI because the project was mostly implemented that had no VSLA activities. 4.1.4 Project succeeded in creating self employment for the youths This was perhaps the best achievement of the NUWYLEI project. Most of the youths confessed that they were not employed before they joined the VSLA groups but majority of them now proudly say they are self-employed. These youths have little time for unproductive activities, like gambling as they reported. Indeed unemployment is sometimes a mindset issue and NUWYLEI succeeded in changing the mind set of these youths positively.

4.1.5 Project succeeded in reducing alcoholism among the youth The number of women and men who claimed having been drunkards before the NUWYLEI project and reduced or stopped drinking is alarmingly very high. Most likely the youths had given up on their lives and the project made them realize their potentials.

4.1.6 Project did not succeed in empowering the youths to demand for services There was hardly any evidence that youths have attempted to demand for services from government. The few support that came from linkage with government was the result of an opportunity these groups provided for such support. Most of the government services like operation Wealth Creation and Youth Livelihoods Fund are designed to be channelled through groups.

4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

4.2.1 Reconcile all project documents and have shared understanding of project documents among all stakeholders

CARE and partners should ensure that all project documents (proposal, logframe, and guidelines) are well reconciled and shared with all stakeholders before start of any project and whenever changes arise during project implementation, this should be explained immediately. This will avoid issues like youths demanding for explanation of failure to implement vocational skills training from the evaluation team. It would also have avoided accusations and counter accusations that were reported to the evaluation team regarding the functionality of the PICs. 4.2.2 Support key project activities early in the project cycle NUWYLEI project did well in supporting the first phase of 110 groups with VSLA activities and this are the groups that have better performance because they got motivations to save more and invest more. The second phase of 110 groups were supported one year later and by the close of the project, they had only one complete saving cycle (action audit) and some of them did not start another cycle of saving although they all claimed they will start saving again. The biggest challenge of the NUWYLEI project was the support to role model farmers who were supported very late in farming and livestock projects. It is recommended that support towards farming activities should be given early enough so that at least two harvests are realised before end of project. The same should apply to livestock. The last year should be left to prepare beneficiaries for sustaining project achievements

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4.2.3 Implementing Partners should regularly follow up project implementation Some groups reported that the follow up by implementing partners was very rare and some CBFs were also not keeping their schedules. Although these cases were not wide spread, the complaint by project beneficiaries should not be taken lightly in future projects since they affect project achievements. When the consultant crossed checked this issue with project staff of DNU and GWED-G, they could not refute the allegation and DNU specifically stated that staff turnover affected implementation and replacing staff always took time. It is therefore recommended that project staff at the grass roots levels should be followed up and supported to provide the required services to the beneficiaries. 4.2.4 Local governments should try to own projects with good community impacts The NUWYLEI project proposal, as a means of ensuring project sustainability stated that “the involvement of the Local Governments at District, Sub County and Villages in PIC will inculcate ownership by local leaders and the communities which safeguards the sustainability of the project”. However, the evaluation only established that the PICs never functioned independently and had their last meetings before the project closed. Even if there was no specific budget for the PICs, the sub-county local government authorities could try to use their existing structures like the Local Council, youth and women representatives to monitor and report to the LC3 council meetings; the technical wing could also use the Parish Chiefs and Community Development officers to provide guidance to the VSLA groups. 4.2.5 Exchange visits to successful groups and individuals either within or outside the

project location should be organised since it enhances replication Just like the NUWYLEI proposal puts it, “exposure and cross-learning provides powerful opportunities for experiential learning through sharing of experience”. Even within NUWYLEI project some groups like Ma Icayo Aye Konyi VSLA and Ribo Cing pi Lweny Ikom Can youth group, both in Patiko Sub-county are strong groups that can provide learning opportunities for other groups. Ma Icayo Aye Konyi VSLA group has for instance over grown the recommended number of 30 for a VSLA group after hitting a membership of 58 that forced them to split the group into A and B. However, they operate under the same central Executive Committee and they are already considering to offer loan services to non-members. On the other hand, Ribo Cing pi Lweny Ikom Can Youth group are doing well in farming as a business. Thus the 220 VSLA groups could provide several opportunities for learning but this was a missed opportunity by the NUWYLEI project. It is recommended that future projects should organise exchange visits to successful groups and individuals within or outside a project to enhance practical replication.

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5. APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Most Significant Changed Stories:

Okello Godfrey: VSLA built me to become a family pillar at 18 years My name is Okello Godfrey, a student of Gulu High School and in Senior 3. I am 18 years old and my father died when I was very young. My mother had to take the entire responsibility of raising us. In 2012, I sat my P.L.E but knew that this was the end of my education although my mother always encouraged us to focus on our immediate education. In 2013, my mother managed to send me to Gulu High School but sustaining me in this school looked impossible. This was also the year GWED-G introduced a project called NUWYLEI to our village. My mother wanted to join but she was told this project was specifically for the youths. My mother registered my name and we formed Gul Okano Youth group here in Amilobo Village, Palema Parish- Lamogi Sub-county.

Since I was a student, I could not attend all the group trainings but I was lucky to have participated in the training of selection, planning and management (SPM) of IGAs that opened my eyes to identify a business with immediate impact on my life as a student. I therefore, chose to deal in selling petrol at Awer Trading Centre on the Gulu-Juba highway. From the SPM training, I realised that selling petrol did not require much capital to start and yet it had ready market from the many boda bodas being

operated by the youth who are my age mates.

I took savings with Gul Okano youth group very seriously and by January 2014 when I should have dropped out of school, I qualified to borrow 200,000 shillings to start my well thought business. I bought the first stock and my business started with a boom. This helped me to raise my 1st term fees for senior two without any problem. When I am at school, my elder brother is in charge of my business and this has given him an employment. This makes my business run throughout the year and we use part of the profits to buy food at home and support a younger brother in school. This VSLA has therefore, built me into a family pillar at 18 years.

My revolving capital for the petrol business has grown to over 800,000 shillings and I have also decided to diversify my business into a piggery project. I learnt the importance of diversifying a business from the NUWYLEI project and I hope to grow from these two businesses and possibly open a general merchandise shop in future. I appeal to CARE and GWED-G to continue with this type of project so that orphans like me will continue to get the types of support parents normally provide for their children. This VSLA has become a father to me and I am sure about continuing with my education without interruption of school fees and other scholastic requirements.

Okello Godfrey at work in Awer Trading Centre

Okello Godfrey’s new Piggery Project

1

Abanya Christine: NUWYLEI saved my marriage from collapsing

I am Abanya Christine, aged 30 and a mother of two children from Amora Village in Guru Guru Parish, Lamogi Sub-county. Immediately I got married to Odoch James, he left for Iraq where he worked as a Guard for three years. When his contract ended and returned in 2011, I was very happy because he returned alive and he had a lot of money in his bank account. However, this happiness was short lived because all my husband could do was drink alcohol with friends. Whenever he was drunk, my life and that of my child were always in danger because he would fight me as if I was a wild animal. I did not know how much money he had but the only productive thing he did with the Iraq money was buying a piece of land for five (5) million shillings. In February 2013, my husband had depleted his bank account and was looking for a buyer for his land. I was also tired of the abusive marriage while depending only on brewing local alcohol and subsistence farming. I was at the point of quitting my marriage when DNU approached our village and informed us about a new project that required us to form a group. We later came to know this project as NUWYLEI and the funding came through CARE. We formed a group and named it Rubanga ma Miyo (It is God that Gives) Youth group. NUWYLEI was only focusing on youths. NUWYLEI needed a community based facilitators to train the groups in Guru Guru Parish while at the same time coordinating the groups with DNU and CARE. To my surprise, my husband was selected and taken for different trainings. Although, I had lost trust in my husband, I decided to give him another chance and see whether the training could change his alcoholism and violence at home. NUWYLEI project changed my husband instantly, possibly because he had to become a role model to the group members he was training. He stopped boozing and became a very good husband at home. This made me to become serious with our group activities, including saving on weekly basis. The trainings and other activities of the group also kept me busy and I became a happy woman, full of confidence to succeed in life. With the training in SPM of an IGA, I took a loan of 100,000 shillings, combined it with the money from brewing alcohol and bought one pig with 6 piglets. My husband was very happy and gave me money to buy one male pig. He also supported me to construct a pig pen. Thus before completing one year with NUWYLEI, I had already succeeded in my dream IGA, which was a piggery project.

After identifying my seriousness, DNU rewarded me with two improved

pigs in August 2015 that are still growing. My husband and I both consider this piggery project as ours and we

have already harvested the first fruits by selling 22 pigs at prices ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 each. We

currently have 7 pigs and 20 piglets; we engage in farming of rice and groundnuts on fairly large scale; and I also

sell vegetables and silver fish in the market for our daily bread. NUWYLEI really saved my marriage from

collapsing!

Christine Abanya’s Piggery Project

2

Acan Rose Mary: The disintegration of my group did not deter me from succeeding I am called Acan Rose Mary from Amilobo village in Palema parish of Lamogi sub-county. We were mobilized by the NUWYLEI project of CARE and GWED-G to form Wi Atiyaba Youth Group in 2013. Unfortunately, our group disintegrated because many members relocated away from this village because of land problems. This has made it difficult for us to sustain the weekly meetings and savings of the group. Before Wi Atiyaba youth group fell apart, I got involved in many training like: how to save money; how to select, plan and manage a business; and how to keep business records. I also participated in a learning visit to Delight Nuclear Farm in Nwoya district. Although the farm is a very big one and copying from them is impossible because of the big machines they have, I took interest in vegetable growing and imagined I could use part of the knowledge from there. I particularly learnt that whatever you do, focus on both quantity and quality. On coming back from this learning visit that exposed me, I decided to use the knowledge I got to try growing okra. I chose okra because I knew it could be grown twice per year and has ready market in Gulu, Uganda/South Sudan border and locally. Growing okra can also be started on small scale and it grows on any type of soil. I have

also been growing it around the home for family consumption. I started commercial growing of okra in 2014 after getting a loan from our group that had not yet collapsed and used the money for land opening. By the time our group stopped operating, my okra business had picked up and I was already doing well in it. I plant the first crop between March and April and harvest it from June to August. The second season planting is in October and harvesting is from December to February. My okra business has grown because of the demand that makes some big buyers come up to my garden. Everybody knows me as the okra lady. I

therefore decided to employ two women to help

me and I pay them 30,000 shillings each per month during the harvest periods. We normally harvest after every three days. Last year (2014) I earned up to 4 million shillings from selling okra in Gulu and at the border towns of Elegu and Nimule. This amount does not include the money I get from selling it at the local markets for my daily use, where I get about 25,000 shillings every market day.

My plan is to continue growing okra and other horticultural crops like onions, tomatoes and onions in future. God willing, I will also expand to growing fruit trees as a business because I now see that every thing is possible if you plan it well and get committed to it.

Rose Mary sorting okra for a buyer from the garden

Rose Mary in her Okra garden with her two workers

3

Nyero Edwin: From Street boy to a respected family head Nyero Edwin is my name and am about 28 years. I left the village for Gulu town and stayed there for more than ten years. In Gulu, life was very hard but I could not realise. I was a blocker42 who depended on carrying goods for people and loading/off loading goods from vehicles. What we were paid was hardly enough for feeding, leave alone accommodation. So my colleaques and I all resorted to drinking alcohol to minimise hunger and the cold weather at night since we slept on verandas of shops. The hard conditions trained us to become aggressive and violent to people, especially women and children. As I became of age, I learnt how to ride a motor cycle. This improved my situation some how because I started hiring and using motor cycles as boda boda. However, the money was still small because I had to pay the owners 50,000 shillings every week apart from fueling the motorcycles. Another problem is that people will never entrust their good motor cycles with us who had no homes. Therefore, this business was not reliable for me.

In April 2011, I decided to pay a visit to my home here in Patiko after many years. I found women and men for a meeting and decided to listen to them. I realised that every one from the group was saving money and some people who wanted loans were getting money from the group. Because all of them were my relatives, they asked me to join the group and I started saving that very moment before going back to town. I continued to bring my weekly savings and because of

my seriousness with two other

boys, the group resolved to buy for us 3 motor cycles at a cost of 3,200,000 shillings each to be repaid with a total interest of 500,000 shillings within a period of one year. We got the motor cycles on 16th October and I completed my repayment of 3,700,000 on 15th September 2012. This was the day I

owned a motor cycle- my most valuable asset at the time. In 2013 when our group was taken up by GWED-G and CARE, we got trainings on the VSLA methodology; records keeping; conflict resolution; group dynamics; GBV; SPM; and good agronomic practices. These trainings changed my life completely and I stopped drinking and started earning 120,000 shilling per week from my boda boda business. This made me to buy a cow that has already produced and some goats; I got married in January 2014 and we have a child; and I am now paying fee for my young sister in P.6. I want to say that Ma Icayo Aye Konyi VSLA group removed me from Gulu streets and made me a respected head of family. From the agronomic training, I took on rice growing as you can see here. Drought affected the yield very much and I expect to get only 15 sacks from 5 acres. I am saving the weekly maximum of 10,000 shillings for my wife, sister and myself. The VSLA policy of allowing maximum savings of 10,000 per week is not good for many people in our group already since many people want to save more than that. The number of members in our group has also grown to 58 and this has forced us to divide the group into A (30 members) and B (28 members) but we have same leadership and we save together and have one bank account with Post Bank. My plan is to have well educated children in future; become a commercial farmer for rice and bananas; buy my own land and build permanent houses (residential and commercial); and expand the business of my wife so that she moves away from selling in the market and becomes a big producer trader.

42 Men and Boys used for carrying and loading goods at bus and lorry parks in towns. They are not employed but get paid on piecemeal basis

Ma Icayo Aye Konyi VSLA group in a meeting

Edwin a motor cycle owner and rice farmer

4

Appendix 2: Attendance List

Can Miyo Kwiri Youth Group Guru Guru Parish- Lamogi 9/12/2015

1 Ogwok Charles

2 Odong Patrick

3 Ageno Concy

4 Oyella Marcelina

5 Olimi Sarah

6 Ongwen Michael

7 Atenyo Paska

8 Aneko Evelin

9 Akiyo Jenifer

10 Apio Jenifer

11 Acan Beatrice

12 Adong Jenifer

13 Adong Janet

14 Adong Grace

15 Aryema Sarah

16 Anena Patience

17 Ayenyo Jenifer

18 Ayenyo Christine

19 Ayugi Lucy

20 Tanaganyika Amelia

21 Akello Agnes

22 Oryang David

23 Amaro Rwot Sunday

24 Ayella Patrick

25 Aling Margaret

26 Aol Margaret

27 Oneka lit Ochola

28 Arach Florence

Can Coya Youth Group Guru Guru Parish- Lamogi 9/12/2015

1 Oloya Vandam

2 Akello Stella

3 Olyel John

4 Alur Grace

5 Oyela Concy

6 Lamwaka Florence

7 Acii Irene

8 Atim Sunday

9 Acaye Charles

10 Adiyo Janet

11 Amony Grace

12 Ociti Bosco

Waryemo Can Youth Group Guru Guru Parish- Lamogi 9/12/2015

1 Ojok Vincent

2 Okech Opira Mark

3 Nyero Michael

4 Ojara Simon

5 Oola Francis

6 Amono Nighty

7 Oroma Monica

8 AkumuLlilly

9 Akello Concy

10 LanyeroJjenifer

11 Okello David

12 Angwech Daisy

13 Opwonya Ambrose

14 Lamwaka Vicky

15 Alanyo Kevin

16 Oyet Santo

17 Ouma James

18 Arach Mary

19 Acayo Concy

20 Aber Santa

21 Anyuu Santa

22 Anena Gloria

23 Aculu Nighty

24 Ajok Dorcus

25 Aling Paska

26 Adong Evelin

27 Ongom Sunday

28 Ooola J. Bosco

29 Alal Alice

30 Ocira James

Lubanga ma Miyo Youth Grp Guru Guru Parish- Lamogi 9/12/2015

1 Odoch James

2 Abanya Chrsistine

3 Openy Bernard

4 Opiyo Richard

5 Atimamngo Lillian

6 Alyel Paula

7 Alal Innocent

8 Adong Brenda

9 Aol Dorine

10 Aciro Filder

11 Apiyo Florence

12 Amony Agnes

13 Kidega Nabosa

14 Lubanga kene Emmy

Ribe Ber Youth Group Guru Guru Parish- Lamogi 9/12/2015

1 Auma Christine

2 Akello Brenda

3 Ajok Christine

4 Agenorwot Joyce

5 Acen Veronica

6 Akena Denis

7 Oling Sam

8 Acayo Jesca

9 Acayo Esther

10 Aromo Nighty

11 Acaa Evelin

12 Komakech Martin

13 Oyella Concy

14 Alal Helen

15 Angom Judith

16 Aromo Grace

17 Omony Jacob

18 Akot Rose

19 Mwaka Richard

20 Okello Joel

21 Akwongo Yolanda

Dyere Keni Farmers’ Group Guru Guru Parish- Lamogi 9/12/2015

1 Okello Dick

2 Acaye Bosco

3 Okello Bosco

4 Onencan Patrick

5 Akena Bosco

6 Kilama William

7 Oloya Alphonse

8 Peny dogi Robert

9 Odong Wilfer

10 Arach Susan

11 Arach Santa

12 Abwoyo Irene

13 Acayo Nighty

14 Ojok Richard

15 Oryema Micheal

16 Oringa Christopher

17 Ayerwot Gloria

18 Atoo Everline

19 Acii Jenifer

20 Oroma Lucy

21 Atimango Kevin

22 Auma sarafina

23 Atero angela

24 Akwero Rose

5

25 Onung Richard

26 Ayet Lucy

27 Aciro Margaret

28 Ayaa Jenifer

29 Angee angela

30 Okeny kosantino

31 Aol poline

32 Acellam Daniel.

Dii Cwinyi Youth Group Guru Guru Parish- Lamogi 9/12/2015

1 Oketa Moris

2 Ocaka Justin

3 Auma Joyce

4 Amony Christine

5 Atoo Tereza

6 Nancy Otika

7 Auma Nighty

8 Alal Judith

9 Anywar Chrsitopher

10 Malyam Bumbulia

11 Acan Margaret Loum

12 Anek Susan

13 Anena Grace

Waloko Kwo Youth Group Lacor Parish- Lamogi 10/12/2015

1 Kilama Francis

2 Acaye Philip

3 Aol Lilly

4 Aol Janet

5 Pacoto Denis

6 Adokorach Grace

7 Ayenyo Santa

8 Amono Irene

9 Acolla Evelin

10 Angee Evelin

11 Alal Santa

12 Aryemo Jenifer

13 Apuke Yuromalina

14 Akera Richard

15 Ocakacon Felix

16 Piloya Florence

17 Lucy Moro

18 Labol Christine

19 Toorach Isaac

20 Abwot Lucy

21 Aciro Filder

22 Anenocan Monica

23 Adong Susan

24 Labol Margaret

25 Irene Kidega

Can Deg Mone Youth Group Palema Parish- Lamogi 10/12/2015

1 Abola Martin

2 Ociti Yona

3 Apiyo Gladys

4 Opiyo Robert

5 Anek Anna

6 Omal Samson

7 Odokonyero Daniel

8 Akello Janet

9 Onencan Ronald

10 Yusuf Lule

11 Ojara Daniel

12 Aceng Doreen Kilama

13 Lanyero Laura. E.

14 Adyero Vicky

15 Atim Paska

16 Acayo Joyce

17 Adyero Filder Mary

18 Akello Mercy

19 Adong Brenda

20 Adong Susan

21 Acayo Scovia

22 Filder Ocan

23 Aryemo Josephine

24 Aciro Palma

25 Aubu Florene

Gul Okan Youth Group Palema Parish- Lamogi 10/12/2015

1 Walumbe Joseph

2 Ogen Rwot Stepehen

3 Oketa Regan

4 Mwar Colbert

5 Kitara David Lacung

6 Lilly Openy

7 Adokorach Susan

8 Tabu Stephen

9 Aryemo Irene

10 Aryemo Janet

11 Can kech Stephen

12 Opiyo Denis

13 Adong Sharon

14 Ayella Walter

15 Lanyero Janet Ocii

16 Aciro Beatrice

17 Adong Angel

18 Okello Godfrey

19 Atimango Francesca

20 Poline Odong

21 Okulu Moses

22 Apiyo Daisy

23 Amony Harriet

24 Opiyo Brian

25 Aceng Gloria

26 Ojera Christopher

27 Atare James

28 Auma Jenifer

29 Okwii Denis

30 Ajok Monica

Wi Atiaba Youth Group Palema Parish- Lamogi 10/12/2015

1 Acan Rosemary

2 Omona Patrick

Cam Kwoki Youth Group Coke Parish- Lamogi 10/12/2015

1 Akumu Monica

2 Atuk Margaret

3 Ayoo Florence

4 Angee Betty

5 Ayugi Rose

6 Ayat Lucy

7 Lukwiya Simon

8 Otema Charles

9 Akello Jenifer

10 Lalweny Olga

11 Lamwaka Susan

12 Oroma Beatrice

13 Auma Nancy

14 Akech Filder Otim

15 Akech Filder Ocen

16 Lukwiya Simon

17 Otema Charles

18 Ayugi Concy

19 Onen Joseph

20 Ocen George

Odur Wacito Anyim Youth Grp Palema Parish- Lamogi 10/12/2015

1 Ayella Richard

2 Opoka Samuel

3 Akot Rosemary

4 Ocii Charles

5 Adokorach Evelin

6 Apoko Rosina

6

Mon Oywee Youth Group Palema Parish- Lamogi 10/12/2015

1 Okello Amos

2 Odong Samuel

3 Akwongo Margaret

4 Lanyero Agnes

5 Acan Betty

6 Auma Nancy

7 Acii Rose

8 Ajok Irene

9 Okello Richard

10 Lagulu Jeska

11 Lamwaka Hilder

12 Oyella Beatrice

13 Oyella Lucy

14 Anyango Lydia

15 Aloyo Christine

16 Obina Martin

Keto Cwiny Youth Group Palema Parish- Lamogi 10/12/2015

1 Okwera Richard

2 Kitara Jimmy

3 Oryang Charles

4 Odiyo Francis

5 Kidega Nelson

6 Tabu Micheal

7 Ongom Richard

8 Ayella Micheal

9 Apiyo Agnes

10 Laker Christine

11 Adong Sarah

12 Obong Christopher

13 Oryema Washington

14 Adoch Jenifer

Atek Ki Lwak United Youth Grp Agwayugi Parish- Lamogi 10/12/2015

1 Opwonya David

2 Ocaya David

3 Abwol Lucy

4 Rubangakene Robert

5 Amooti Richard Benjamin

6 Lamaro Flavia

7 Onono Lubangakene

8 Rosister Junior

9 Aciro Margaret

10 Akiyo Agnes

11 Lawini Nighty

12 Lagemo Janet

13 Adong Grace

14 Aciro Jenifer

15 Ocwee Pamela

16 Acayo Nighty

17 Awor Irene

18 Lakot Brenda

19 Akello Betty

20 Kinyera Charles

21 Oroma Janet

22 Aciro Grace

23 Anyeko Florence

Paco Ber Youth Group Palema Parish- Lamogi 10/12/2015

1 Oryem Samuel

2 Oyat Morris

3 Akwero Mary

4 Ajok Lucy

5 Adong Ping Franca

6 Aciro Margaret

7 Apiyo Sarah

8 Adong Jenifer

9 Laker Nancy

10 Aber Beatrice

11 Ojok Innocent

12 Akaello Beatrice

13 Ayot Agnes

14 Lanyero Christine

15 Ojok Bob

16 Lakony Richard

17 Okot Simon

18 Aryemo Florence

19 Oola David

20 Labol Concy

21 Ayet Nighty

22 Acan Margaret

23 Komakech Jimmy

Acholi Oneno rac Youth Grp Panokrac Parish- Alero 11/12/2015

1 Onen can Patrick.

2 Amono susan

3 Adong Filder

4 Atimango Filder

5 Acen Rose

6 Akello Everline

7 Faidah Kevin

8 Akwero Everline

9 Aromo Beatrice

10 Akello Monica

11 Alok Filder

12 Lanyero Mercy

13 Munyoro Scovia

14 Ajok Agnes

15 Apio Proscovia

16 Akumu Florence

17 Akello Everline

Lubanga Twero Youth Group Panokrac Parish- Alero 11/12/2015

1 Okello Patrick Jimmy

2 Kivola Denish

3 Omony Robert

4 Akwero Lucy

5 Achiro Christine

6 Ayet Florence

7 Opiro Charles

8 Angwech Susan

9 Acayo Irene

10 Labol Jenifer

11 Atoo Grace

12 Okello Bosco

13 Adong Susan

14 Ayero susan

Pit Odong ki Mon Youth Grp Panokrac Parish- Alero 11/12/2015

1 Oola Richard

2 Rubangakenne Innocent

3 Oola Paul

4 Ajok Margaret

5 Oyella Janet

6 Aciro Santa

7 Kilara Alfred

8 Akwongo Margaret

9 Atoo Lucy

10 Akumu Rose

11 Kaduma

12 Acen Everline

13 Ayo Margaret

14 Agengo Rojalua

15 Alinga Ogaba

16 Aciro Christine

17 Okwonga Thomas

18 Ojok Dick

19 Olwero Pawel.

Ribe Ber Youth Grp Panokrac Parish- Alero 11/12/2015

1 Oola Richard

2 Rubangakenne Innocent

3 Oola Paul

4 Ajok Margaret

5 Oyella Janet

7

6 Aciro Santa

7 Kilara Alfred

8 Akwongo Margaret

9 Atoo Lucy

10 Akumu Rose

11 Kaduma

12 Acen Everline

13 Ayo Margaret

14 Agengo Rojalua

15 Alinga Ogaba

16 Aciro Christine

17 Okwonga Thomas

18 Ojok Dick

19 Olwero Pawel.

Latek Odong Youth Grp Panokrac Parish- Alero 11/12/2015

1 Lakot Grace

2 Ayet Dorine

3 Aber Lucy

4 Aciro Rose

5 Aceng Janet

6 Alanyo Grace

7 Ayet Agnes

8 Amono Jackline

9 Odong Geoffrey

10 Oryem Samuel

11 Otukene Samuel

12 Mwaka Justine

13 Piloya Christine

Lacan Kwite Youth Group Pangur Parish- Alero 11/12/2015

1 Omony Colbert

2 Anena Agnes

3 Piloya Everline

4 Ajok Grace Ayoo

5 Adong Stella

6 Lanyero Filder

7 Apiyo Joyce

8 Acaye Colodine

9 Celina Pacotoo

10 Odong Jimmy

11 Okech William

12 Ojok Robert

13 Oryema Julius

14 Arach Jenifer

15 Aber jenifer

16 Apio jackline

17 Okello Denis

Wayubukwo Youth Group Pangur Parish- Alero 11/12/2015

1 Onen Richard

2 Oloya Geoffrey

3 Gobarach Ponsiano

4 Opiro Micheal

5 Otika Simon

6 Mwaka david

7 Komakech Martine

8 Obalo Geoffrey

9 Lamwaka Concy

10 Lanyero Kevin

11 Piloya prosca

12 Okech Francis

13 Adong Gladys

14 Can.j.stonia

15 Auma Jenifer

Tii Matek pi Kwo Youth Grp Panokrac Parish- Alero 11/12/2015

1 Obwolo David

2 Kilama geofrey opila

3 Nyeko Richard

4 Odoki bosco

5 Akera Christopher

6 Adyero susan

7 Acayo Lucy

8 Lamara jenifer

9 Atoo sarah

10 Acayo janet

11 Akello Winnie

12 Lagum mirriam

13 Oryem grace

14 Aromorach Brenda

15 Lanyero Florence

16 Abalo magaret

Cac pe Yweka Youth Group Panokrac Parish- Alero 11/12/2015

1 Okello Francis

2 Olanya Walter

3 Apio Filder

4 Apio Beatrice

5 Adong Stella

6 Acaye Denis

7 Akwero Pyerina

8 Adong Monica

9 Atoo Sunday

10 Okello Christopher

11 Acan Concy

12 Orach Consantino

13 Ayiko Rose

14 Atim Lucy

15 Lakony Richard

16 Omony Tuc

17 Odoki Benson

18 Aromorach Nancy

Dii Cwinyi Youth Group Pangur Parish- Alero 11/12/2015

1 Okwera Patrick

2 Nyeko Francis

3 Oyet Charles

4 Obali Emmy

5 Apio Gloria

6 Aringo jackline

7 Akwero Rose

8 Aciro scovia

9 Atimango mercy

10 Aol Gladys

11 Abol lucky

12 Lariang magret

13 Amony stella

14 Oringa Samuel

Oruu ki Tic Youth Group Kal Parish- Patiko 12/12/2015

1 Otto Emma

2 Opio fred

3 Olwedo Ronald

4 Awor lilly

5 Acayo korina

6 Lamwaka stella

7 Lanyero Christine

8 Kinyera Paska

9 Omal Denis

10 Okumu Dan Ociti

11 Labol Nighty

12 Auma Margaret

13 Akwero Kevin

14 Awino joyce

15 Ajok everline

16 Ajok Margaret

17 Adokorach Everline.

8

Oruu ki Tic Youth Group Kal Parish- Patiko 12/12/2015

1 Otto Emma

2 Opio fred

3 Olwedo Ronald

4 Awor lilly

5 Acayo korina

6 Lamwaka stella

7 Lanyero Christine

8 Kinyera Paska

9 Omal Denis

10 Okumu Dan Ociti

11 Labol Nighty

12 Auma Margaret

13 Akwero Kevin

14 Awino joyce

15 Ajok everline

16 Ajok Margaret

17 Adokorach Everline.

Yoo kwo Youth Group Pugwenyi Parish- Patiko 12/12/2015

1 Okello Jimmy

2 Oweka Robert

3 Atim Prossy

4 Komakech Thomas

5 Opiyo Justine

6 Opiyo Richard

7 Oryema Richard

8 Akello Prossy

9 Olara Policarp

10 Kidega Samuel

11 Alanyo Dorine

12 Akello Kevin

13 Lalam Margaret

14 Ayella Moris

15 Acora Janet

16 Akello Everline

17 Kibwola Jacky

18 Akello Rose

19 Akello Susan

Ribo Cing pi Lweny ikom Can Youth Group Pawel Parish- Patiko 12/12/2015

1 Aloyo Beatrice

2 Akello Margaret

3 Aloyo Betty

4 Acayo Paska

5 Akello Susan

6 Tena Kibwota

7 Nyero Charles

8 Ayeerwot Beatrice

9 Ajok mercy

10 Acayo concy

Ma Icayo Aye Konyi Youth Group Kal Parish- Patiko 12/12/2015

1 Olanya Walter

2 Okello Francis

3 Akello Lucy

4 Akwong Janet

5 Acan Mercelina

6 Abuyo Kelementina

7 Susan Odong

8 Amono Janet

9 Patricia Otim

10 Aromorach Alice

11 Abol Paska

12 Aol Margaret

13 Akello Agnes

14 Opoka Charles

15 Aryemo Susan

16 Amony Janet

17 Akot Christine

18 Adero Everline

19 Anyango Jenifer

20 Angee Jackline

21 Amono Beatrice

22 Apiyo Concy

23 Adokorach Nancy

24 Okot Florence

25 Alanyo Sandra

26 Atoo Nancy

27 Nyero Edwin

28 Akelo Janet

29 Adong Tereza

Lapit pe Daa Youth Group Kal Parish- Patiko 12/12/2015

1 Ladur Joyce

2 Lawino Agnes

3 Checka Fortunate

4 Layet Christine

5 Alobo Christine

6 Anyeko Santa

7 Opio Jimmy

8 Lalim Morris

9 Odong Denis

10 Oketayot Higins

11 Acaa Everline

12 Piloya Vicky

13 Adokorach Janet

14 Atoo monica

15 Abalo Brenda

Rwot Omiya Youth Group Kal Parish- Patiko 12/12/2015

1 Ajok janet

2 Aciro Margaret

3 Lawino Kevin

4 Lamunu prisca

5 Aringo sarah

6 Aloyo Innocent

7 Aloyo santa

8 Apiyo ventorina

9 OPoka Robin

10 Olak annet

11 Anena Vicky

12 Acayo jenifer

13 Aloyo Beatrice

14 Oroma prosca

15 Adong Molly

16 Okot Richard

17 Adong Filder

18 Acire Justine

19 Arach prossy

20 Adyero grace

21 Lamwaka Santa

22 Alum concy

23 Oloya Philiph.

Bwot Mege Youth Group Pawel Parish- Patiko 12/12/2015

1 Otim Geoffrey

2 Komakech Jackson

3 Acaye Richard Lee

4 Oyo Geofrey

5 Acaye Richard

6 Openy Simon Peter

7 Okot Stephen

8 Ocan Vincent

9 Tam Thomas Ading

10 Oryema Daniel ladar

11 Okema Denis

12 Kilara Brenda Peace

13 Nakazi Oliver

9

Ka Iye Young Farmers Group Pawel Parish- Patiko 12/12/2015

1 Acaa Margaret

2 Adong Christine

3 Pauline Ouma

4 Okoya Charles

5 Angom Agnes

6 Adong Paska

7 Oringa Sunday

8 Aciro Florence

9 Ouma George

10 Oroma Evaline

11 Ayoo Lilly

12 Akello Hilda

13 Ocola Santa

14 Ojok Patrick

15 Ataro Irene

16 Otto William

17 Ouma Sharon

18 Aloyo Vitorina

19 Anger Filder

20 Laker Concy

21 Okwera Denis

22 Aloyo Jenifer

23 Ojok Denis

24 Acan Helen

25 Akwongo mary

26 Oyet keneth

27 Latabu Janet

28 Ataro Christine

29 Aloyo Scovia

30 Oyella Martina

31 Akwero Betty

32 Ajok Janet

33 Opira Wilfred

34 Laywelo Pauline

35 Akulu Everline

36 Arop Richard

37 Oroma Irene

38 Auma Catherine

Unen Anyim Youth Group Kal Parish- Patiko 12/12/2015

1 Atimango Concy

2 Laker Margaret

3 Oryema Victor

4 Acan Vicky

5 Ajok Patricia

6 Aromorach Annet

7 Adero Grace

8 Ajok Flavia

9 Alimocan !nnocent

10 Laker Nighty

11 Aol Lucy

12 Okello Christopher

13 Kibwota Isaac

14 Lakot Jenifer

15 Amony Lucy

10

Appendix 3: Terms of Reference:

End line Evaluation for Northern Uganda War Affected Youth Livelihood Enhancement Initiative

(NUWYLEI)

1.0 Background and Rationale

Unemployed youth in Northern Uganda have the potential to trigger or reignite conflict in fragile

states. Lacking in essential education and training, these ‘lost’ generations of young people, many of

whom matured under the difficult circumstances of extreme violence and conflict, are not equipped to

enter the workforce of emerging economies – and to effectively support themselves in the fragile

aftermath of conflict. As a result, youths are extremely vulnerable to manipulation and recruitment into

continued or reignited violence and unrest. Further compounding this problem is the fact that youths

comprise the largest portion of post-conflict states’ populations.

Future changes in population and the impact of changes on socio-economic, political and environmental

conditions largely depend upon the behavior of today’s youth. Socioeconomic empowerment and

cohesion of youth populations is crucial to overcoming a vicious cycle of instability and violence in

countries whose youth population is associated with ex-combatants. Therefore, equipping this critical

segment of the population with positive human values, appropriate knowledge, attitudes and skills, is

essential to bringing about a safe and viable future. Given the chance for education, training and gainful

employment, youths are less likely to be coerced back into violence. More broadly, reintegrating young

people into society serves as a basis for broader economic recovery.

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty in 84 countries. CARE Denmark

(CDNK) is a member in the CARE International confederation. In 2012, CARE Denmark in

collaboration with CARE International in Uganda entered into a three year cooperation agreement with

Telethon and Thune Foundation to implement a youth empowerment initiative project (Northern Uganda

War Affected Youth Livelihoods Enhancement Initiative) in three districts of the Acholi Sub-region

(Gulu, Amuru and Nwoya) covering three sub-counties (one sub-County per district). Two local civil

society partner organisations were selected and agreements signed concerning their contributions to

project implementation; Diocese of Northern Uganda (DNU) and Gulu Women Economic

Empowerment, GWED-G).

NUWYLEI aims to improve living conditions and income opportunities for 5500 young people of

northern Uganda who grew up during the conflict period. The initiative was designed around two thematic

focus of strengthening the economy and job opportunities for the young people and young people are

better informed about their rights and their social resources and influence.

The initiative uses the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) as an entry point as well as a

platform for carrying out the different activities to enhanced young people’s individual agency and

bringing about changes at the structural level.

Currently, in 2015, the project is in its final year of implementation and CARE International in Uganda

therefore, plans to conduct an end line evaluation with the support of an external facilitator to assess the

progress made towards the achievements of the intended goals of the project. The evaluation will combine

both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The results of this evaluation will provide recommendations

to improve project implementation and the achievements so far made against the approved indicators. See

table below for the summary of the project.

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Title Northern Uganda War Affected Youth Livelihood Enhancement Initiative (NUWYLEI)

Location Lamogi in Amuru District, Alero in Nuwoya District and Patiko in Gulu District

Country Uganda

Duration July 1, 2012 – December 31, 2015

Target Groups Primary target includes: Young generation that grew up during the conflict period i.e.

Former child soldiers, disabled groups, youth affected by HIV/AIDs, youth abusing

drugs or alcohol, other victims of conflict

Number of Beneficiaries 5,500 youths in the sub-counties of Lamogi, Alero and Patiko

Project Description Goal: NUWYLEI aims to improve living conditions and income opportunities for 5500

young people of northern Uganda who grew up during the conflict period

Objectives

NUWYLEI works within the framework of two major components:

To ensure that young people who are affected by the war, be able to improve

their own economy, earnings and job opportunities and

To promote active citizenship and rights so that their ability to demand

accountability from duty bearers, gain access to services delivery (education,

water and healthcare, etc.) increases their leadership potential through dialogue

with local authorities.

Outcomes

The development outcomes anticipated include;

1) Young people's economy and job opportunities strengthened and

2) Young people are informed about their rights and their social resources and

influence increased.

2.0 Overall objective of the end line evaluation

The overall objective of this end line evaluation is to ascertain the contribution made by the NUWYLEI

project on the improvement of living conditions and income opportunities for 5500 young people of

Northern Uganda who grew up during the conflict period. The major areas of focus for the end line

evaluation is to assess the appropriateness of the project’s design, the results achieved during the

implementation, and its potential sustainability. Based on an assessment of the project’s successes and

failures, the evaluation shall present key learnings and provide recommendations for a potential replication

of the project’s intervention areas in other projects/programmes. The evaluation is expected to make

recommendations that will help to ensure that the project’s impact remains sustainable.

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3.0 Specific objectives of the end line evaluation

The end line evaluation aims to achieve the following specific objectives:

1. To establish NUWYLEI’s end of project status by reviewing data collected and documented as per the Indicator Table that was developed at the project’s start (see indicator table attached in annex).

2. To establish the impact made by the NUWYLEI project in relations to the outcome indicators outlined in the project document (refer to the attached Logframe in the annex):

Objective 1:

% increase in number of youths employed

% of youth engaged in meaningful income generating activities and micro enterprise (private sector linkage for market and inputs)

% of youth that are self-reliant These indicators are to be assessed as a whole; determining the extent to which the project interventions

have been able to generate an increase in employment and income among the youths that have been

reached. Which of the project’s interventions have been successful and which have not? What are

common savings, borrowing, investment and profit generation patterns among members in the VSLA

groups? What are the dynamics that make some members successful and others not?

Objective 2:

% of youth confident in articulating their own issues (the ability of young people to translate their new knowledge into practical action)

Youth speaking openly on their own issues and do demand for their rights at will

These indicators are also to assessed as a whole; determining the extent to which the project interventions

have been able to increase awareness/knowledge and change behaviour within the areas that youths have

received trainings (gender, peace building, civics/ human rights/ democracy/ governance, climate change,

agricultural production and entrepreneurship).

3. To identify best practices and lessons learned during the 3 years of implementation with regards to the

different intervention. In particular;

Establish the extent to which youth beneficiaries have benefited from the ‘model farmers’ approach used by the project. To which extent were field based trainings on selected enterprises implemented, and how useful were they?.

Establish the extent to which the farmers have accessed new markets and if the project was able to guide the farmers in this process.

Establish the extent to which beneficiaries have been able to identify new and profitable enterprise and business opportunities and if the project was able to guide the youths in this process.

Establish the level of involvement of Project Implementation Committees (PICs) in project

activities and how useful these committees were for the project’s achievements. 4. Summarise key findings from the project evaluation and provide recommendations for any potential

future projects/programmes targeting conflict-affected young people in Northern Uganda.

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4.0 Scope of work

The Consultant will undertake but not limited to the following scope of work:

Review a number of recent studies/documents on the trends in Northern Uganda, Uganda National Population & Housing Census-2014, 2012 - 2015 Project design documents (including log frames), NUWEP Program Theory of Change and Underlying Causes of Poverty and Vulnerability Analyses, Baseline reports, Annual implementation reports, Specific thematic study reports (Value Chain Analysis report, VSLA scooping report by Christine Suubi, Internship report by CARE Denmark students and Hagit Feud), skilling Uganda report etc.Review and collate data and other types of material that has been collected during the implementation of the project – on VSLA groups, trainings, training materials, etc. (The evaluator is not expected to undertake surveys to collect quantitative data, but mainly to draw on and summarise existing data).

Assess the impacts made by the project to date looking at its strengths (achievements), weaknesses, opportunities and threats (challenges) in terms of activities that have been implemented and financial expenditures incurred to determine ways of improving CARE’s future programming for young people/youth

Assess and obtain the local partnership engagement to establish their reach, expertise, core values, commitment and how these translates to sustainable project impacts to young people/youth.

Assess the overall relevance of the project, considering the changing context in the three sub-counties and interventions by local government and other development partners. Highlight any challenges faced that could have been the result of the project design failures or the changing context on the ground.

Assess the sustainability of the project with regard to community ownership, stakeholders’ involvement and recommend appropriate measures to ensure that the project has a lasting impact on the targeted beneficiaries.

Make clear recommendations for the replication, future programmes/projects, consolidation and sustainability of the project impacts

5.0 Approach/Methodology

The Consultant will develop a detailed plan of action based on this TOR

Review CARE Uganda relevant documents like the LRSP, Programming principles, NUWYLEI documents and the National and International framework documents for proper understanding of the project and its context.

Develop relevant research tools and consult with CARE staff, beneficiaries, partners and the district officials /Project Implementation Committee (PIC) and other CSOs in the field using various participatory methods. It is expected that the evaluator undertakes structured interviews and/or focus group discussions with a limited selection of youth VSLA group members in order to the qualitative results of the project.

Together with the NUWYLEI/NUWEP team review the tools and strategies.

Prepare, compile and produce report that shall be shared during the feedback meeting to CARE and other stakeholders.

Integrate comments and concerns by the other stakeholders and produce final report to CARE.

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6.0 Key deliverables

I. An inception report covering the approach/methods to be used and an implementation/action plan.

II. Draft report to be availed to CARE to obtain feedback and comments. III. Revised report for presentation during the feedback meeting to obtain comments from the

stakeholders during a one –day feedback meeting. IV. A concise final evaluation covering the processes undertaken, main findings, conclusions, lessons

learnt and recommendations.

7.0 Timeframe and reporting

The end line evaluation is expected to be conducted within a period of not more than 21 working days, starting 23rd November 2015 and ending 23rd December 2015. The first preliminary debrief to CARE shall be done in Gulu after completion of the work on the 18th December 2015. The revised final report shall be submitted at CARE Uganda Headquarter (CUHQ), Kampala on the 23rd December 2015.

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Appendix 4: Techniques used for data collection

Appendix 4a: Performance Check List to be filled by DNU and GWED-G This performance check list was developed based on the NUWYLEI Project Log Frame.

Outcome Area (These are the activities in the Logframe

What has been achieved in the result area

Explanatory notes especially for the variance

How many project implementation committees have been established, what are their functions, what training have they received, to whom do they report to, what have they achieved)

Objective 1: Young people's economy and job opportunities strengthened Activities: Establish 3 fully furnished youth training and resource center in three Sub Counties

Offer Agricultural skills training for 5,500 youth (topics of training, who and how many people attended; venue of training, how are they using the skills, etc)

Establish 220 village savings and loans association groups

Entrepreneurship and business skills development training for youth (topics of training, who and how many people attended, how are they using the skills)

Linkage with private sector and networking for farmers (where are youths selling their products, at what price, how did they get the market, where are they getting inputs, at what price, etc )

Exposure and cross-learning (where did the youth go for exposer, What was the purpose, what did they learn, what are they (who) doing different after the exposer)

Livelihood diversification strategies Train youth on environmental protection and climate change adaptation (topics of training, who and how many attended, what are they doing different)

Objective 2: Young people are informed about their rights and their social resources and influence increased

Activities: The youth trained in civil rights, democratic governance, human rights and leadership (topics of training, who trained, who attended and how many participants, what are the youth using the skills and knowledge)

Training in non-violence, peace-building, conflict prevention, resolution and reconciliation, such as domestic violence,

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Outcome Area (These are the activities in the Logframe

What has been achieved in the result area

Explanatory notes especially for the variance

neighbor disputes about boundary limits, etc. (topics of training, who trained, who attended and how many participants, what are the youth using the skills and knowledge)

Revamping of district youth structures and youth support networks ( how was this done, who benefited and how many people, what are they doing)

Mentoring and role modeling of young people (who are the role models, who was modelled, how has it helped the youth)

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Appendix 4b: Checklist for project beneficiaries 1. Knowledge about the NUWYLEI project implemented by CARE and DNU/GWED-G What is your own understanding of the activities of the NUWYLEI project? (Probe for time frame; training; VSLA; linkages; etc) How were you selected to benefit from the NUWYLEI project? (Probe for who selected you; why he/she was selected) 2. Participation To what extent have you been involved in the NUWYLEI project? (probe for practical involvement- what have you done/ are you doing now?) To what extent has your community been involved in the NUWYLEI project? (probe for practical involvement) 3. Benefits How has the NUWYLEI project benefited: (probe for evidence of benefits from both VSLA and other trainings, IGAs started as a result of NUWYLEI?)

you as an individual and family

your group

your community (disaggregate it to men, women, households )

sub-county 4. Impact Since the NUWYLEI project started, do you see anything different in:

Your life as an individual and family (probe for new initiatives as a result of the project)

Your group

Your community (disaggregate it to men, women, households )

Sub-county 5. challenges and gaps In your opinion what have been the main challenges and gaps of the NUWYLEI project in your area? How do other youths look at your group/ group members? How did you or the NUWYLEI project cope up with these challenges? 6. Lessons What have you (referring to the respondent- individual, focus group or partner organisation implementing the Livelihoods project) learnt from this project? 7. Sustainability How are you continuing with the activities of the project? 8. Community Recommendations In your opinion,

In which areas should a future NUWYLEI project focus? (give reasons for your choice)

What would you like to be done differently?

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Appendix 4c: Checklist for Sub-county Officials

1. Knowledge about the NUWYLEI project implemented by CARE, DNU/GWED-G What is your own understanding of the activities of the NUWYLEI project? (Probe for project period; training; VSLA, linkages) 1. Participation To what extent has the NUWYLEI project involved the sub-county? (reference may be made to mobilisation, sensitisation, dialogue and linkage) 2. Impact How has the NUWYLEI project affected or impacted on the lives of people, groups, communities and sub-county? 3. Challenges and gaps In your opinion what have been the main challenges / gaps of the NUWYLEI project? How did the project coped up with these challenges? 4. Lessons What have you learnt from the NUWYLEI project? (the way the project was planned, implemented, coordinated, and its achievements) 5. Sustainability How is this project being sustained? 6. Recommendations In your opinion,

In which of the above specific areas should the NUWYLEI project focus? (give reasons for your choice)

What would you like to be done differently?

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Appendix 4d: Livelihood Analysis Indicator Form – Groups Group Name: …………………… Parish: ……………………… Sub-county: ……………… Name

Marital status Savings Cycle 1

Received Cycle 1

Invested Cycle 1

Savings Cycle 2

Received Cycle 2

Invested Cycle 2

Savings Cycle 3

Received Cycle 3

Invested Cycle 3

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

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