The multi-sectoral programme Meeting Point International was presented by AVSI at the European Development Days (Brussels, 5-6 June 2018) Global village.
Organised by the European Commission, the European Development Days (EDD) bring the development community together each year to share ideas and experiences in ways that inspire new partnerships and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
Meeting Point international is an Ungandan NGO supported by AVSI that has been promoting women empowerment in Kampala since 2005. Thanks to the discovery of their value and dignity, women affected by HIV are integrated in a social context where healthcare, child protection and education services are provided. A key aim is women’s economic empowerment through income-generating activities that include the savings and loans groups, financial literacy on management of savings, production of handicrafts, training for improving quality of products and export abroad.
AVSI has been supporting MPI since the beginning thanks to a partnership that involves both institutional donors and the solidarity of private citizens.
The protagonists at our EDD stand: Sharon Akidi and Teddy Bongomin
Sharon Akidi, 22 years old, lives in Acholi Quarter since 2000, when her family escaped from the conflict in Agago District, North Uganda. She arrived in Kampala with her family as refugee and her mum joint Meeting Point international. Thanks to a scholarship, she attended the school Luigi Giussani, built by MPI. Sharon now is working as teacher assistant at the nursery classes at Luigi Giussani, to help her family and to save money for the university.
“Here l thought there was no hope for us who lived in Kampala slums. But now life has just begun because there is hope that the future still holds a lot for us”.
Teddy Bongomin, 46 years old, she grew up in a slum as an orphan of HIV/AIDS. She got married but she lost her husband and she has been thrown out of her home with her children. In 1992, she met Meeting point international and since the beginning, she has been working as social worker. She is also a CBT (community-based trainer): she support women to create Village savings and loans association (VSLA), providing financial literacy and courses on income generating activities management.
“Women are the pillars of the family. Awakening a woman is a smart investment, it gives back, and it does not go wrong”.
Find out more: avsi.org/edd18