Photo: Samuel poses on his land near the AHH project.
The Africa Hydro Holdings (AHH) Achwa 2 plant, a run-of-river hydropower scheme built in Uganda by CI1, has not only harnessed the power of the Achwa River but has also stimulated significant social and economic progress in the local communities. An example of the project's impact is the story of Samuel, a local farmer who found he could diversify his income through the Community Development Programme's livelihood restoration initiative.
The initiative empowered farmer groups in the project surrounding villages with sustainable and modern farming practices and provided them with an ox and ploughing equipment. Samuel's journey began with a simple exchange: he committed to caring for the ox, and in return, the ox would reside on his land, allowing him to utilise it for his own farming purposes.
The introduction of the ox to Samuel farming practices delivered a large increase in crop yield, generating a surplus beyond his family's consumption needs.
The surplus enabled Samuel to start generating extra income by selling the extra yield, which then gave him the ability to purchase his own ox bolstering his growing farming business even further.
Ever entrepreneurial, Samuel's journey did not end at expanding his farming activities. As his earnings grew, he diversified his income streams even further by investing in a large radio, which he rents out for local events.
The cascading effect of the initial intervention has had a noticeable impact on Samuel's family life. Not only can he now afford to send his children to school, building their future prospects, but he also had the means to explore and invest in various other entrepreneurial ventures.
Samuel's story, which he told to us in his own words, illuminates the significant impact a single intervention can have. The provision of resources, combined with dedicated support from the programme, has empowered individuals like Joseph to unlock their entrepreneurial potential and make strides towards financial independence.
