Our Programs

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Programme for agro-enterprise development

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YARD works with smallholder farmer groups enabling them to improve their food and income security. Through the Enabling Rural Innovations (ERI) approach, farmers are supported to change from subsistence agriculture to farming as a business, while focusing on food security and safe guarding the natural resource base. In this programme YARD trains farmer groups to conduct market research and select profitable enterprises, apply sustainable agriculture practices, conduct experiments on new practices and market collectively.

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Water and sanitation programme

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YARD promotes domestic and communal rainwater harvesting through the construction of Ferro – cement tanks and provides safe water through small scale water spring protection measures to fulfill the basic needs of Rural communities and which allow agriculture to contribute to food security. Sensitization activities on improved hygiene and sanitation in the households and schools are combined with the construction of basic sanitation facilities and ventilated improved pit latrines to schools.

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Children and Youth Sponsorship Programme

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YARD’s domain of sponsorship support includes the construction of community-based primary schools and kindergartens that cater for disadvantaged families who are particularly affected   by HIV/AIDS and poverty. YARD provides scholastic materials and training to teachers in principles of Waldorf education.  Families that care for orphans or vulnerable children are supported through a child sponsorship programme.

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How Sponsorship Helps

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Through your sponsorship you will make a difference in your child’s life and the community. Your gifts will provide for your child’s basic needs. Sponsorship also help fund education. Your gifts will provide books, materials and teachers, so your child can learn, grow and achieve more. And you also help fund other initiatives, such as clean water for drinking and health huts that benefit the entire community. Ultimately, sponsorship is an exciting exploration for both your child and for you. Congratulations on beginning this new adventure.

With your Help You’ll see the multiple ways your kindness makes a difference for a precious child you know by name, and whom you will grow to love.

Natural Resource Management Programme

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YARD sensitizes communities on environmental issues and provides training in establishing tree nurseries and construction of improved energy saving stoves. Energy is vital to Uganda’s continued economic development, but many energy – related challenges threaten to undermine it, including an inadequate supply exacerbated by inefficient usage. Only 5% of the rural population is connected to an electrical supply and 95% still rely on biomass combustion for cooking. The use of solid fuels like firewood and charcoal is chronically inefficient and adds enormous environment problems to Uganda’s energy equation. The greatest contributor to this is a lack of awareness about the environment and the need for energy efficiency. Consumer education measures exist but are still inadequate. In our work with farmers we stress the importance of improved energy saving cook stoves environmental protection and train farmers in soil and water conservation methods. Agro-enterprises are encouraged that apply sustainable agricultural practices to enable farmer groups to access even organic markets.

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Vocational Training Programme

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YARD has established a vocational training centre, providing training opportunities for practical employable skills in Tailoring, Brick-laying and concrete practice, Carpentry and joinery, Hair dressing, Catering and Nursery teaching. Courses are designed to provide opportunities to young people particularly for self-employment within the community. Currently about 100 students are enrolled. Improvement and equipment of facilities is on-going. We have secured a child sponsorship scheme for 85 of the students, being able to provide training also to disadvantaged people and special training for disabled students.