Stories
May 19, 2026 • 3 min read
Isabaidu Godfrey and his wife, Mbeiza Veronica, struggled to manage their farm and household finances. After joining the INSPIRE project’s integrated planning sessions, they learned how to plan together as a family and adopt modern, climate‑smart agricultural techniques. Today, their smallholding is thriving. Their livestock has grown from a single turkey to a diverse farm, and they now mentor ten neighbouring households, helping others on their journey to resilience.
Life Before INSPIRE
In the Kakose community of Namwiwa Sub-county, Kaliro district, Uganda, Isabaidu Godfrey and his wife, Mbeiza Veronica, worked tirelessly to sustain their family’s livelihood. They are smallholder farmers practicing both animal and crop production. They estimate their annual income at 1.9 million shillings a year, below the average income of smallholder farmers in Uganda. Yet, despite their dedication, managing their finances remained a struggle. Without a shared approach to saving, budgeting, or planning for the future, financial stability seemed out of reach. Without previous access to training or opportunities to learn financial management skills, it became increasingly challenging to organise their resources in a way that could support their family’s basic needs.
Supporting Financial Literacy
It was at this point that Godfrey and Veronica joined the participatory planning learning sessions under GOAL’s INSPIRE project. Funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the INSPIRE project supports rural communities in Uganda to strengthen food security and increase household income. At the heart of this approach are the Participatory Integrated Planning learning sessions which encourage family members to reflect on their resources, discuss their goals, and develop a shared plan for their future. These sessions help rural communities develop more sustainable and productive land‑use systems. By addressing both the social dynamics within households and practical farming skills, the project supports families to move from reliance on external aid toward sustainable, self‑reliant livelihoods.
Beyond offering financial management tips, the workshop reinforces the importance of teamwork within the family to reach shared goals. Through open discussions, Godfrey and Veronica established a shared workflow. This allowed them to manage their activities together and choose crops they could grow together.
From Theory to Harvest
With a new collaborative spirit, the couple began applying modern agricultural practices tailored to their land. They learned the importance of mulching to keep soil moist during dry spells, using high-quality seeds, the benefits of rotating crops to maintain soil health, post-harvest handling, among others, and how to manage livestock alongside their plants. These practical changes yielded immediate results. In their first season, they planted maize in their land and harvested 1,000KG, selling their harvest for 1,000,000 UGX (approximately €229).
They reinvested part of this income to revive their livestock activities, starting with just one turkey, the household now keeps seven turkeys and four pigs for breeding, diversifying and strengthening their income sources.
“We are excited for the next season of production because our production seems clearer now”, they said. Godfrey and Veronica also hope to grow enough maize to aid in the poultry feeds to cut the cost of growing the birds. This diversification acts as a safety net, reducing overreliance on a single income source. As a result, they can now ensure the family has multiple sources of food and income throughout the year.
Growth Beyond the Farm
These changes go beyond immediate financial gains. Improved communication skills have strengthened Godfrey and Veronica’s partnership, empowering them to address their household needs together. With her newly acquired skills, Veronica mentors local community members, training 10 local farmers for two hours each week. She shares the same practical and theoretical knowledge gained through the INSPIRE project with her neighbours, encouraging them to take the initiative to improve their own livelihoods.
Reflecting on the change, Godfrey says, “INSPIRE has brought us closer to development and helped us move away from poverty. Most importantly, it changed our mindsets, so we no longer wait for handouts. As a family, we are inspired by what we can achieve together.”
Looking ahead, Godfrey plans to acquire more land to expand his poultry and cattle enterprises, applying the agricultural skills he has gained to ensure his family’s growth remains sustainable for years to come.
GOAL’s Approach
GOAL’s participatory model places local communities at the centre of its programme design. By delivering integrated farming skills and training tailored to each community’s context and resources. Working closely with local actors, GOAL supports communities from the bottom up.
