| dc.description.abstract | This study explored the contribution of Heifer International’s Grace Project towards improvement of the welfare of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) in Luwero sub-county, Luwero District in the Central region of Uganda. The specific objectives were to: (a) explore the strategies used by Heifer International’s Grace project; (b), explain the ways in which Grace project has contributed to improvement of welfare of PLWHAs; and (c) elucidate the challenges faced by Grace project in improving the welfare of PLWHAs. Using a quantitative research approach based on social constructivism philosophy and an exploratory case study research design, qualitative data was obtained from fourteen (14) participants comprised of one (1) Director of Grace project, five (5) local council (LC) leaders and eight (08) project beneficiaries who are also PLWHAs. Data concerning strategies used and challenges experienced were obtained through key informant interviews from the Director of Grace project and LC leaders while data about contribution of Grace project in improvement of health and welfare was obtained from the project’s beneficiaries via in-depth interview. Qualitative data was thematically analyzed and presented in line with the relevant literature reviewed. The findings of this study states that: (a) a combination of socioeconomic support initiative inform of agriculture input provisions, micro credit, education support, medical care and psychosocial support were the main strategies used; (b) the interventions of Grace project has positively contributed to improvement of welfare i.e. income, food security and nutrition, education and assets and health i.e. reduced mortalities and morbidities, improved mental health, adherence to antiretroviral treatment among PLWHAs; (c) effects of climate change, livestock disease, water scarcity, lack of community in-kind support were some of the key challenges experienced. In conclusion, the study’s findings indicate that the project approach used by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) can effectively improve on the health and welfare of vulnerable persons like PLWHAs in rural communities. This study recommends that Grace project should consider including both PLWHAs and other vulnerable persons together, build capacity of leadership structures and also introduce modern agricultural and agro-processing technologies to enable the beneficiaries minimize effects of climate change and also increase their production and income levels sustainably. | en_US |
