Sustainable Rural Transformation through Empowering the Community to Educate Children, Recognize and use Visionary Approach and Systems Approach to Development

Abstract

The internship took place from June 1, 2023, to October 31, 2023, and was conducted in Ngoma and Karambi Villages within Bwikara Sub County. The internship aimed to achieve the following objectives: i. Enhance the capacity of ARU interns to contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of systems and structures in service delivery. ii. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Epicentre Strategy in implementing the Parish Development Model and realizing Uganda Vision 2040. iii. Conduct Community Action Planning as a democratic, bottom-up process to drive rural transformation. iv. Conduct Participatory Action Research (PAR) and develop plans to create positive change in the community. This internship was carried out in Bwikara Sub County, Kagadi district. Throughout the internship, the intern closely collaborated with the Technical and Political staff of Bwikara Sub County, the Faculty mentor, the Field mentor, and community members. Chapter two of the report provided a review of related literature on various factors that influenced ARU Internship, including the Sustainable Development Goals, Africa Agenda 2063, and Uganda Vision 2040. Chapter Three outlined the methodologies and tools employed by the intern during the five-month internship to achieve the general and specific objectives described in Chapter One. During the process of mobilization and community engagement, the intern used a variety of methods, tools, and techniques, including the Visionary Approach, Community Action Planning, Participatory Action Research, the Structural Tension Chart, the Frames of the creative process, and home visits. Tools such as markers, flip charts, and a phone camera were also utilized. Chapter Four encompassed the presentation and discussion of results. It detailed the activities and actions taken to achieve specific outcomes at the family and community levels in alignment with the internship's general and specific objectives for 2022/2023, as outlined in Chapter One. This xii chapter also provided an overview of the actions undertaken by the intern in collaboration with community members at the individual, family, and community levels. These actions included planning, mobilization, revisiting visions, fostering participation, conducting demonstrations, engaging community members, ensuring environmental conservation, promoting sanitation, enhancing nutrition, and introducing rural technologies. In summary, the internship program facilitated a strong and purposeful interaction between ARU interns and local community members, promoting effective rural transformation through participatory learning.