SOCADIDO under the Resilience WASH project sowed a seed that Transformed the Lives of the rural community in Kumi district through increased access to safe water and financial strength.
For many rural households in Kumi District, access to safe water, proper sanitation, and financial strength has been a persistent challenge. However, the intervention of the Soroti Catholic Diocese Integrated Development Organization (SOCADIDO) steadily wrote this narrative, improving livelihoods and restoring dignity among rural communities.
Through its Resilient-WASH (R-WASH) project, SOCADIDO implemented a holistic approach aimed at strengthening rural resilience by integrating water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and financial inclusion initiatives. The project, which ran from February 15, 2022, to February 15, 2025, covered three districts, Kapelebyong, Amuria, and Kumi, reaching nine sub-counties across the three districts, including Atutur, Kanyum, and Nyero in Kumi.
At the heart of this transformation is Komolo Olimai Savings Group, formed under the R-WASH project in Komolo Olimai Village, Olimai parish, Kanyum Sub-county with the aim of promoting financial inclusion for sustainable access to safe water and good sanitation. The group has become a cornerstone for financial empowerment and community-driven development.
According to Mr. Wilbrod Amodoi, the Project Manager for WASH at SOCADIDO, the initiative was designed to improve access to safe water, enhance sanitation and hygiene practices, and promote menstrual health management. “We also introduced Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to ensure sustainability, especially easy access to finances for maintaining boreholes constructed or rehabilitated under the project,” he explained.
After receiving a new borehole, Komolo Olimai Savings Group, led by Chairperson Adeke Mary and Secretary Amulen Esther, started demonstrating the impact of this integrated model. Members regularly saved money, including a dedicated water and sanitation fee, which they collected and shared at the end of every year to meet urgent household needs on hygiene and sanitation promotion.
“Our group has helped to keep us together, access small loans to buy sanitation products for constructing sanitation facilities and acquire basic items like; soap, Jericans, storage facilities and cups to improve sanitation and hygiene at home,” said Adeke Mary as she uploaded Asio Caroline who trained them how to maintain their water sources and save money consistently.”
Amulen Esther echoed these sentiments, noting that the group has strengthened unity and financial discipline among members. “We were trained on record-keeping and saving culture. Today, we are more organized and able to support one another,” she said.
To support the group’s operations, SOCADIDO provided essential savings kit which included a savings box, counter books, a calculator, and a ruler among other tools that have enhanced transparency and accountability. After operating for one year without direct support from SOCADIDO, the group is able to demonstrate cohesion among members and able to acquire sanitation items through their own savings.
Beyond financial inclusion, the project delivered tangible infrastructure improvements. In Kumi District alone, nineteen (19) wells were repaired and seventeen (17) new ones constructed, significantly reducing the distance households travel to access safe water. Community structures such as Village Hygiene and Sanitation Committees and Water and sanitation Committees were also established and trained to oversee the maintenance of these facilities.
Additionally, community sensitization campaigns were conducted to promote proper hygiene practices, while residents actively participated in national and international events such as National Sanitation Week and World Water Day.
SOCADIDO’s mission, to empower vulnerable households through integrated services for sustainable socio-economic wellbeing, is clearly reflected in the lives of beneficiaries. The communities are now better equipped not only with access to safe water, but also with the financial strength to sustain the functionality of their water sources as per the new operation and maintenance frame work.
Great work