Livelihood Programme
SCSP under its livelihood program works to deliver welfare support and economic empowerment to solidly impact the communities in which we operate. We work with parents of special needs children, the local council authorities, community and national level leaders to advocate and champion the causes of special needs people.
SCSP has a tagline ‘Realizing the Potential of the Neglected, Transforming Lives‘ with which we believe tat people with disabilities can be fully integrated into the communities where they dwell and can further contribute to its advancement once empowered.
Through our livelihood program, we understand that Caring for a child with a disability is a full-time commitment, one often that leaves parents and caregivers with little time or opportunity to find a stable income. Many face an impossible choice everyday – stay home to provide care, or leave to find work, earn money for food, therapy, and school fees.
The livelihood program helps caregivers of children with special needs, vulnerable mothers, and other community members in Mpigi to start or grow small businesses. It supports families who lack collateral to access commercial loans, so they can provide for their children and become financially independent. Read more about SCSP livelihood programme.
Below are some of the income generating activities supported under this program:
Art and Craft Making
Beneficiaries meet once a week and taken through other craft-making training course sessions, in which they are shown how to make artistic use of locally available materials in their environment. SCSP also opened a craft shop along Buganda road to avail market for the variety of crafts made by women and children.
Crafts developed for commercial purposes, including; Mats, Baskets, Tye & dye patterned cloth, Woven materials – wall, hangings, door rugs and ornaments, Beads, Cards etc
The parents of children with disabilities are also supported to transform their individual micro-projects into a functional group business to access loans and save through the Village Saving and Loans Association (VSLA) Group. SCSP loans them a start-up boost capital. Read more
Hands-On Skills Training
Young people and caretakers are trained in practical skills which include Tailoring or candle making.
Tailoring
Beneficiaries under this project are inducted through a 5 month course in tailoring to develop skills in making shirts, trousers, skirts, school uniforms,Sweaters, African traditional wear such as: Kanzu, Gomesi, and Kitenge.
At the end of the skills empowerment training, the beneficiaries can either find employment in an established tailoring business or receive a sewing machine, on loan from SCSP, to begin self-employment.
Agriculture
Beneficiaries under this project initially receive a month training course on managing poultry as an income-generating activity. Follow-up training is also provided during implementation of the project.
Under Poultry project; Participants are given practical advice on preparing suitable structures to raise their poultry stock and when these are ready, they are then provided with the chicks. These are raised for 3-12 months, depending on whether they are used for egg or meat production. Read more