The Child Focused Community Transformation (CFCT) programme is a five-year initiative (2024–2028) implemented in Kamuli District, Eastern Uganda, with support from Korea Food for the Hungry International (KFHI) and implemented by International Development Institute (IDI) Uganda. The programme is designed to improve child well-being by strengthening household socio-economic resilience and improving access to education, health, and disaster preparedness services.
Where we work
CFCT interventions are delivered across five target sub-counties in Kamuli District: Namwendwa, Bugulumbya, Kagumba, Nawanyago, and Magogo. These areas were selected due to high vulnerability indicators such as poverty, malnutrition, school dropout, early pregnancies, and climate-related risks.
Our programme focuses
The programme is anchored on four thematic areas:
- Livelihoods
- Education
- Health and Nutrition
- Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
These are strengthened by cross-cutting themes including Gender & Child Protection, Environment, and Biblical Worldview, ensuring the programme advances holistic and values-driven community transformation.
Our approach
Kamuli CFCT is grounded in a community-led cascade model, where trained local leaders, volunteers, teachers, and church leaders pass knowledge and skills to others. Faith-based engagement strengthens values of responsibility, dignity, and care, ensuring that transformation is locally owned, sustainable, and child-focused.
CFCT’s theory of change envisions holistic transformation by building capacity among families, faith leaders, and local institutions to create safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive.
By walking alongside communities, Kamuli CFCT seeks lasting change—so that every child in Kamuli can grow up healthy, educated, protected, and full of hope.
By 2028, the programme aims to improve the household socio-economic status of vulnerable communities in Kamuli through outcomes such as:
- Increased adoption of climate-smart agriculture and improved household incomes
- Improved school enrolment and retention for children
- Enhanced health and nutrition status of household members
- Strengthened community disaster preparedness and response mechanisms
Why Kamuli
Kamuli District is largely rural, and agriculture remains the main livelihood source. However, communities face challenges including poor infrastructure, limited access to healthcare and education, overstretched health facilities, and inadequate education infrastructure—especially in remote areas. Vulnerabilities affecting children and women are further compounded by gender disparities, youth unemployment, and climate-related shocks.
Despite these challenges, Kamuli also has strong opportunities, including fertile land, growing interest in savings groups, and active community-led development efforts that CFCT builds upon.
Education: Supporting Learning and Retention
Education is a core pillar of the Kamuli CFCT Programme. The programme works to ensure that children in Kamuli access quality, inclusive, and supportive learning environments that enable them to stay in school and succeed academically.
Key education interventions include the provision of scholastic materials, teacher capacity building in early grade reading, psychosocial support, inclusive pedagogy, and ICT skills, as well as support for school feeding programmes to improve attendance and concentration.
The programme also supports school infrastructure development, including classrooms, Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, kitchens, and learning furniture, while strengthening parent and community engagement to promote shared responsibility for children’s education.
Health: Caring for Mothers and Children
Health interventions focus on maternal and newborn care and community-based prevention. Through a cascade model, trained Community Group Volunteers (CGVs) deliver health messages and follow-up at household level. Activities include:
- Training CGVs on maternal and newborn care
- Community sensitisation on antenatal care, nutrition, safe delivery, and newborn danger signs
- Tracking pregnancies, births, and child health indicators to support timely referrals
These efforts strengthen community knowledge and promote safer births and healthier children.
Livelihoods: Strengthening Household Resilience
To reduce poverty-related risks affecting children, Kamuli CFCT supports families to build sustainable livelihoods. Key interventions include:
- Climate-smart agriculture training for farmers
- Distribution and follow-up of goats and piglets using a pass-on (rollover) model
- Provision of certified maize seeds and pest-control training
- Strengthening Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to promote savings, access to credit, and small business growth
These initiatives improve household income, food security, and parents’ ability to support their children.
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Building Resilient Communities
Rather than a standalone activity, DRR is embedded across all programme sectors. Kamuli CFCT integrates disaster-resilient infrastructure, climate-smart farming, sanitation improvements, and community preparedness planning to help communities anticipate and withstand shocks.
Spirituality: Nurturing Faith and Holistic Transformation
The Kamuli CFCT programme integrates spirituality as a foundation for holistic child and community development by equipping church leaders and Sunday school teachers with skills for child protection, holistic ministry, and faith-based community engagement, enabling churches to play an active role in nurturing values, resilience, and hope among children and families.