Humanitarian Care Uganda (HCU) is a registered, indigenous non - profit; non – governmental; interdenominational organization which has been working with the unreached or poorly reached populations including orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC), people with disabilities (PWD), disadvantaged but prospective students and married couples as part of our continued effort to promote their living

conditions through capacity enhancement.

Incorporated in July 2007, HCU was formally registered as a non-profit, non - governmental organization in September 2007.

Addressing Poverty

When Maziba - Kaharo Couple Fidelity Club (KAMA FC) was established in Kabale District to act as a forum for discussing issues related to the union of couples and may lead to infidelity as well as other social challenges that come as a result of unfaithfulness, poverty was not considered by couples subscribing the club as a cause of infidelity.

However, during the implementation of Fighting AIDS In The Home (FAITH Project) whose goal is to contribute to the reduction of the high and rising HIV infection rates among couples living in stable unions, couples identified poverty as one of the leading causes of infidelity.

Couples subscribing to KAMA FC during one of their monthly meetings resolved to establish a SACCO to address poverty as one of the issues that promote infidelity. The KAMA FC SACCO waws established in 2009 by couples subscribing to the fidelity club. As a prerequisite for establishing the SACCO, each club member contributed in form of both membership fee of UGX 5,000/- and a monthly contribution of UGX 1,000/- to enhance the sustainability of the venture. Also a surcharge of UGX 1,000/- was set for defaulters of the monthly contribution. This money would then be lent out to couples who work together to develop viable income generating projects in the community. A bank account was opened for this purpose and couples who are members of KAMA FC are the initial benefactors of the initiative.

Mr. and Mrs. Mwesigye are a couple and KAMA FC members who hail from Nyanja village, Nyanja Parish, Maziba sub county in Kabale district. They viewed an increase in vegetable and irish potato yields which were at first hindered by poor breed varieties, soil erosion and pests a solution to poverty. “By being members of Kaharo – Maziba Fidelity club, we were able to borrow U.shs 200,000 from KAMA SACCO and paid it back in time” Mrs. Gauda Mwesigye says. With the money secured from the SACCO, we have been able to acquire better breed varieties, we have adopted improved agricultural farming methods and pesticides for increased production” she adds.

As a result, the Mwesigyes’ boast of sustainable food security, improved household income which has enabled them to take all their children to school, enhanced access to quality health care services, an opportunity to plan together for a better future and to keep their marriage stronger and more satisfying. The couple club through their own efforts had done what at first they thought was just a dream. Seven couples of KAMA FC have so far benefited from this initiative and many  more still stand an opportunity of gaining from this innovation.

Poverty as a cause of infidelity is being addressed by KAMA FC couples through working together for improved household incomes.