When we think of how Trickle Up works, there is indeed a specific model that comes to mind. Overall, we remain true to that original concept, though there are increasingly projects where we’ve tailored the design to the needs of a specific group of people.
For instance, in Uganda this is indeed the case with several partnerships. Whereas many other agencies would shape their services to a group that’s already familiar with microenterprise or income generation, Trickle Up frequently works with local associations, community-based organizations, or service providers that are focusing on linking with the needs of a specific group. They rely on us to integrate a business action planning support cycle into their daily work. In Uganda in particular the businesses are with communities focusing on sustainable agriculture, with people affected by HIV/AIDS or with street children, widows, and with women’s associations. Each of these groups has a different set of requirements and we are increasingly shaping our services to their needs.
If we zoom in on the work being carried out by organizations that partner with Trickle Up within the HIV/AIDS sector, it is clear that dedicated support has gone a long way, and yet we are constantly learning more about the range of impact that can be expected. As any development worker will tell you, the reality on the ground always challenges one’s preconceived notions—and if you’re ready to be enlightened, the people with whom you work will share all they have to offer. While visiting Uganda in August, I learned that since a large proportion of our initiatives are focused on serving those with AIDS, it was interesting to learn that many of the individuals with whom we partner at both TASO (The AIDS Support Organization) and AWOFS (AIDS Widows and Orphans Family Support) view the grant and its accompanying business development services (BDS) or other training as being secondary to the engagement and distraction that are generated from being involved in entrepreneurship as a whole. When they further elaborated on what this really means, they described Trickle Up as “therapy,” and were keen to convince me that people who are HIV+ require equal doses of ARVs and economic empowerment. The idea here is that it isn’t AIDS itself that kills but rather the subsequent loss of property, family contact, and societal alienation that follows an initial diagnosis.
As mentioned, the model of our collaboration with TASO is somewhat different than other Trickle Up partnerships. It involves selection & identification of OVCs (orphans and vulnerable children) of PLWHAs (people living with HIV/AIDS) for an apprenticeship program → technical training in one of six/seven areas (hair salon, carpentry, food preparation, and others) → distribution of tools kits (sewing machine,…) → home visits to select the “trickle ups” (as they are frequently called) → training → opening of bank accounts & further financial training → disbursement of funds as start-up capital → follow-up visits to see how money is being used and whether business is scaled up → support meetings amongst groups with observation by social support officers → final training and handing in business reports → follow-up → annual report. We’re now working on expanding to more of their 10 centers beyond the initial two.
By Ezra Simon, Trickle Up Program Officer for Africa
