We began working alongside Karamojong community members to identify the needs in the area, before our local teams began building relationships with local leaders, teachers and parents. Children on the Edge supported them to establish six voluntary Child Protection Teams covering 39 villages in the Lopoko sub county.
26-year-old mother of two Maria, was elected and joined one of the newly formed Child Protection teams in her area. She is a committed and active member who leads by example to help make her community safer.
Like many Karamajongs, Maria lives in a village where open defecation is common practice. This is a danger to both children and adults, but especially to children whose immune systems are not fully developed, and who are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition caused by frequent bouts of diarrhoea.
After becoming a Child Protection Team member, Maria attended various training sessions and activities organised by Children on the Edge, and took part in community discussions.
A hygiene and sanitation training session encouraged community members to dig pit latrines, and as Maria learned more about their importance, she decided to construct one at her home.
In February 2023, Maria dug a pit latrine at her home without any help. This impressed her neighbours so much that they began to follow suit.
Maria’s actions were the turning point for the community, who have since dug over 500 pit latrines, and they are still building.
Maria said that open defecation had become normalised, but thanks to the training she received and her own actions, she has changed her community for the better, making it safer and cleaner for everyone.
‘’Children on the Edge has taught us to be independent and do everything by ourselves instead of waiting to be given handouts by the government and other NGOs. I have gained self-esteem and confidence in myself, so that whenever I look at the latrine I built myself, I become overjoyed and now believe that I can do more than that.’’
