Welcome to Iteso Welfare Association
Our History
Having realized that the experience of war, disease, poverty and natural disasters in Teso Region as a whole, many Iteso communities are in situations of extremedeprivation and vulnerability and whereas many communities have been left handicapped facing a raising rate of famine and high poverty level in Teso Region which is fully known among us members here present.
Realizing that traditional community development support systems are overwhelmed and may not be able to cope with the increasing number of development challenges and whereas we the members (women and men) of ITESO WELFARE ASSOCIATION UGANDA (IWAU) and other humanitarian Associations have attempted to intervene and realizing that our efforts are hindered by lack of knowledge and skills in development, financial support, gender imbalances and other varied challenges have come together to try to empower the rural communities to develop and promote their interests.
Convinced that we could address the plight of Teso development actors, local government officials and the rural community through Net working and information exchange advancement of education & training in history, capacity building, culture, art and language as an Association
Our Goal
The overall goal of the association is to establish a social network to promote mutual support among Iteso as well as to enhance their social and economic well being wherever the are and at all times.
Our Objectivies
- To promote the health and well-being of the Iteso community.
- To promote access to high quality and affordable education.
- To improve the economic well-being of the Iteso community
- To promote self-awarenes and enhance the Iteso identity
- To promote environmental conservation and eco-diversity.
- To promote research on emerging issues relevant to Iteso people.
- To provide timely health education to school children and parents on nutrition
- To strengthen community resilience to any form of disaster and risk.
Background:
Iteso Welfare Association Uganda (IWA-UG) was formed by Iteso and friends of Teso within Uganda and in the diaspora in response to the critical and challenging times the region was facing. The association was formed to regain the past glory of Teso that once used to be a peaceful region, an economically sound, agriculturally productive with schools that produced prominent citizens that contributed in the building of this Nation. However, from the late 1980s for over a decade Teso suffered political instability and insecurity ranging from cattle rustling to rebel activities. Many lives were lost during this period, agricultural productivity suffered a big setback, infrastructure destroyed, education standards deteriorated to alarming levels.
Worse still Teso continued to suffer from natural calamities such as floods and prolonged drought inflicting famine among the population.
The effects of the insecurity and natural calamities have continued to manifest in the region with high poverty levels, poor education standards, unemployment, and poor health conditions among others.
It’s against this background that Iteso from within and the diaspora came together to supplement Government and other stake-holders efforts in improving the lives of Iteso and people living in the region. The Association intends to unite the Iteso and friends of Teso with the purpose of empowering the Iteso economically and socially. In order to legally carry out its functions, IWA registered as an NGO under number #12784.
Geographical Coverage:
IWA geographical coverage constitutes the ten administrative districts of Amuria, Bukedea, Sorotit, Kumi, Ngora, Katakwi, Serere, Pallisa, Kaberamaido and Tororo, with potential to extend to neighbouring countries in the near future. It also has an affiliation to the Iteso in the diaspora through the IWA UK Association.