FICH trains Oyam parents as community change agents in 10-week program

28 July 2025, 11:21 am

By Eman Yonah Oruk

Parents from Oyam district who completed a 10-week training campaign organised by the Foundation for Inclusive Community Help (FICH) have been called upon to become ambassadors of change in their communities.

The training, focused on enhancing child communication and problem-solving skills at home, culminated in a graduation ceremony where 60 participants from Nursing Quarter in Oyam town council and Akong Atar village in Iceme subcounty received certificates of completion.

Kandi Alum, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer at FICH, urged the graduates to use their newfound knowledge to educate others and strengthen communication with their children—especially in today’s generation Z era, where many youths are underutilising their potential. She emphasised the importance of nurturing life skills to prepare children for a successful future.

Among the graduates was Rev. Deacon Peter Otim of St. Peter Church Anyeke, who pledged to share the lessons with his congregation to foster healthier family relationships. He encouraged fellow participants to apply the skills in their daily lives.

Emmanuel Oleke, a teacher at Anyeke Primary School, said the training refreshed his college knowledge and has helped him resolve pupil conflicts and collaborate more effectively with parents.

Francis Okello, Amuko clan chief of Okarowok Wibye Acel, plans to guide youth and clan members using the skills he acquired. He stressed the importance of empowering children to take initiative before seeking help.

Rose Acen of Akong Atar B village shared a heartfelt testimony: her family previously faced frequent domestic violence and misunderstandings, especially with her husband. After the training, her household is now peaceful and joyful. She thanked FICH for the transformation and encouraged others to follow her example.

Bosco Obong, whose wife participated in the training, praised the positive changes in her behavior. He noted that she now communicates better with their children and shows him respect—even ironing his clothes, a gesture that was never part of their routine before.

The campaign was inspired by a 2020–2022 assessment conducted by Uwezo Uganda and Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALIVE), which revealed that while adolescents aged 13–17 excelled in collaboration and self-awareness, they struggled with problem-solving. FICH’s initiative aimed to bridge this gap by equipping parents to become better mentors and role models at home and in the community.