Franciscan Brothers
Chairperson Aleng'o Bee Keepers Association - Adraa - Uganda Mr. Openji Serefino shows group members that the onions are ready to start preparing them for harvesting
Foundation
We are a Religious Institute of Brothers founded in 1820 in Mountbellew – Ireland to follow the Rule and Life of the brothers and Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi. Through community life, prayer and simplicity and in partnership with the local church, we work towards the fullness of life promised us by our Lord Jesus Christ. Our own communities are the first areas in which we seek to show love in service and in truth. We commit ourselves to find practical and relevant ways to reinforce our penitential orientation, personally and communally, and to reject those elements which deflect our options for God and the poor. We joyfully commit ourselves to the empowerment of peoples especially the poor, through prayer and Christian formation, in education, in social work, agriculture, formation to religious life, care of our sick and ageing members and caring for all God’s creation. We live and work in four countries: Ireland, California in the USA, Kenya and Uganda spread across three continents.
Kenya and Uganda
OSF came to Kenya in 1974 and started a community in Baraka – Molo and later opened another in Lare capabilities of farmers and the youth in East Africa. In 2012 a new community was opened in Offaka, - Arua District in West Nile.
The case of ICSAP in Baraka - Kenya
Children and members of Aleng'o Bee Keepers Association is delighted with the onion crop harvest
Franciscan Brothers, run and manage Baraka Agriculture College which includes an outreach programme as an out of classroom education and training that reaches out to small holder farmers and youth in four (4) sublocations within the catchment of the college and the living communities of the brothers. A recent needs assessment established household food, nutrition and income insecurity (quantity and quality) as the major underlying issue. Crop yields are low and 60% of the population own less than a hector of land. Soil fertility is low and soil and water management are primary issues. ICSAP targets the very marginalized households in two (2) villages, majority of whom cultivate less that 0.5 of a hector. The project provides limited external inputs which include assorted clean vegetable seeds appropriate to the locality and small livestock to facilitate establishment of a household kitchen garden. Indigenous vegetables are most encouraged. Capacity and capability training focuses on facilitating understanding of sustainable agriculture concept, principles and practices and the promotion of sustainable agriculture technologies, skills and knowledge. Peace building, gender inclusivity, improved sanitation, climate resilience practices, and youth participation are mainstreamed. The focus is on the achievement of household food, nutrition and income security.
The case of ICSAP in Adraa – Uganda
Children of Aleng'o Bee keepers Association are delighted with the onions - A project of their parents 1
Franciscan Brothers, Adraa, Uganda likewise have and run the Adraa Agriculture College that includes an outreach programme that works in 12 villages of Offaka Sub County targeting vulnerable households. ICSAP targets the very marginalized households in one (1) village. The project provides limited external inputs which include assorted clean vegetable seeds appropriate to the locality and small livestock to facilitate establishment of a household kitchen garden. Indigenous vegetables are most encouraged. Capacity and capability training focuses on facilitating understanding of sustainable agriculture concept, principles and practices and the promotion of sustainable agriculture technologies, skills and knowledge. Peace building, gender inclusivity, improved sanitation, climate resilience practices, and youth participation are mainstreamed. The focus is on the achievement of household food, nutrition and income security.
The case of ICSAP in Adraa – Uganda
