Specioza is a resident of Luwero District in the Eastern part of Uganda. She is a single mother to three children. She is a Trainer of Trainees (TOT) and one of the farmers supported under the 100% Homegrown Initiative to set up kitchen gardens to grow food and earn an independent income. She grows her own vegetables but also trains other people with disabilities in kitchen gardening.
The 100% Homegrown Initiative was made possible thanks to our generous supporters and the UK government, through the UK Aid Match.
Motivation to start kitchen gardening.
“I was motivated to start my own garden after the training we received in kitchen gardening. We were taught how to grow different vegetables and how useful that can be.”
“Before starting kitchen gardening, life was a bit difficult for me and my family. But when I acquired knowledge in gardening, I started growing my own vegetables which I can now harvest and sell.”
“Society still holds many negative attitudes towards persons with disabilities, especially women. Because of this stigma, my children’s father left after being influenced by what people in the community said about me being a woman with a disability. As a single mother, I now raise my children on my own and do my best to provide for their needs.”
Impact from the kitchen gardening project.
“Since starting kitchen gardening, my income and quality of life have improved greatly. I have been able to buy a piece of land and build a small house that I now rent out. I have also started rearing animals and recently bought a pig. In addition, I run a small stall where I sell the vegetables I grow in my garden.”
“I am now a trainer, teaching other persons with disabilities about kitchen gardening. This experience has greatly boosted my confidence and self-esteem, and I can now speak in front of many people, which I have struggled with before. I used to lack confidence and was afraid of public speaking.”
“The exposure I gained through kitchen gardening also sparked my interest in leadership. I became braver and decided to run for a leadership position as the councilor for persons with disabilities. I was successful and was voted into the position.”
“Before I started kitchen gardening, people in the community saw me as incapable. They focused on my disability and doubted that I could take care of my children. When I called family members just to check on them, they often assumed I was calling to ask for money, even though that wasn’t true. I was rarely included in family or community gatherings.”
“After I started kitchen gardening, things began to change. My progress surprised many people. I now earn some income from gardening and can live more independently. My life has improved, and I am able to take care of my children. I am now invited to community gatherings, and my family’s perception of me has also changed.”
Specioza, Disability Justice Activist, Uganda
“Food security in my household has greatly improved. Before, we often ate plain meals like cassava without vegetables, and sometimes we even went without food. Now that has changed. From the vegetables I sell at my stall, I can earn some income and buy other basic needs like sugar, salt, cooking oil, and other food items.”
“I am saving some money since I’m no longer buying vegetables. I get them from my garden. And monthly I’m able to earn an income of about 100,000 Uganda shillings.”
Experience with project activities.
“I have received seeds and tools like a watering can and a hoe to support my kitchen gardening project. As a trainer, I continuously monitor my trainees to provide support and mentorship.”
“We have the opportunity to decide how to run and manage our gardens and choose what we are comfortable and knowledgeable about planting. This sense of leadership and decision-making has increased our passion and productivity, because we are directly involved in shaping the work.”
“I have seen positive changes in the lives of the people with disabilities I have trained. They are now actively involved in gardening and are able to live more independently. Some of them produce very high yields from their gardens but struggle to find buyers. Because of my connections in the community, I help them find market for their vegetables.”
“I have trained both men and women in kitchen gardening. Before the training, some of the men would spend their mornings drinking alcohol and not doing much to support their families. After the training, many of them changed this habit. They are now growing vegetables and earning some income to support their families. Their wives often call me to share how much their husbands have changed for the better.”
“I hope to continue growing my gardening project and build on what I have started. At the moment, I am rearing one pig, but I plan to expand my piggery. I also hope to use the income from this work to support my children’s education.”
“I encourage persons with disabilities not to see themselves as victims. We are able and capable of doing things that can improve our lives.”
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sylivia’s story
Sylivia is a disability justice activist and a farmer from Jinja, Uganda and one of the farmers supported under the 100% Homegrown Initiative.
100% Homegrown
Find out more about the 100% Homegrown Initiative.