Walking with World Vision Since 1991
My name is Nyanzi Martia, a chairperson and Village Health Team coordinator of Mulagi village. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to World Vision for their longstanding support since the early 90s, when they first began operations in Greater Kiboga, covering areas like Bukomero, Lwamata, and later Kimu.
Initially, representatives from World Vision visited our village, conducting door-to-door activities, identifying children, and sensitising the community. I was selected as one of two community representatives tasked with promoting health and development issues. This opportunity allowed me to be trained by World Vision Uganda in various areas, including WASH, livelihood, health and nutrition, kitchen gardening, good farming practices, and VSLA. I still keep my notes from those early trainings, which prepared us for the upcoming LIFE PROJECT.
Under this project, I was responsible for establishing kitchen gardens in schools and sensitising households in Kigando parish on their importance. After training on Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) , World Vision gifted us with saving boxes, which I used to train community members on savings practices. I helped form over 30 savings groups, supported them with ledgers and more savings boxes, and encouraged members to save and access loans. This initiative boosted food security and improved household income, enabling families to afford basic needs, school fees, and healthcare.
Before World Vision’s intervention, our parish faced poor sanitation, leading to high rates of malaria and diarrhoea caused by improper waste disposal and contaminated water. After training in Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), I led efforts in my village, which became a model for the parish. We improved sanitation practices, constructed semi-improved pit latrines, and promoted proper waste disposal and water treatment. Each household now has a Tip-tap for handwashing, and many have upgraded latrines to safer, cleaner designs similar to urban standards. The community’s health has greatly improved, with fewer waterborne diseases and malaria cases, thanks to these sanitation efforts.
I am proud to say that World Vision’s support has transformed our community’s health, hygiene, and livelihoods. Their work has lifted us from a vulnerable, underserved community to one with better sanitation, health awareness, and economic resilience. The trainings empowered me to lead my village confidently, and I was elected to serve as Local Council 1 (LC1), a role that allows me to continue advocating for our community’s development.
Today, I travel to neighboring villages, sharing knowledge on WASH, nutrition, health, VSLA, and livelihoods. This has fostered a sense of confidence and ownership among community members, who now speak out and participate actively in development initiatives. The skills and improvements we have achieved will remain with us even after World Vision’s direct support ends.
On behalf of my community, I want to thank World Vision for over 20 years of dedicated service. Your efforts have profoundly impacted our lives, and we are forever grateful for your sacrifices and partnership. Your work has truly transformed our community, and we look forward to sustaining these gains for generations to come.
By: Mathew Kisa, Communications Officer