LGM (formerly PEM) QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT

Reporting Period: 01 July thru 30 September 2025

Funding from: Global Ministry Partners (GMP)

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Contact: +256773-346969

Description of Activities

From the 1st July – 30th September 2025, LGM (formerly PEM) with funding support  from Global Ministry Partners, implemented the following key activities to serve and transform lives in the rural communities of Unyama Sub-County, Gulu District, Northern Uganda.

Drilling of Four Boreholes

Four boreholes were drilled in four different villages: Pabit Village, Obyela Village, Agung Village and Lamin-Owek Village.  The boreholes improve access to safe drinking water, enhancing public health and hygiene. The boreholes are part of a broader effort to combat waterborne diseases; reduce the burden of water collection on women, girls and children; support sustainable rural development; and to navigate challenges caused by climate change.

Community participation was integrated throughout the drilling and construction of the boreholes. Local leaders and community members assisted in site selection, clearing of the site, putting up structures around the water premises that would protect from animals, and constructing soak pits to maintain hygiene and health around the boreholes.  

With support from GMP, LGM drilled four community boreholes during the third quarter to help community members have access to reliable safe water, leading to improved health and hygiene.

Construction of Agung Community School

The construction of the Agung Community School in Agung Village, Unyama Sub-County, Gulu District is aimed at addressing  critical barriers faced by children – particularly those from remote areas and disadvantaged backgrounds – in accessing formal education and quality learning environments. Our objectives were to construct a safe, accessible, and fully functional community school, thereby improving the quality of education through proper/improved infrastructure and learning facilities. The school will improve enrollment, retention and educational outcomes for all children especially those with limited or no access to existing schools. Additionally, it will promote inclusive education for marginalized groups, including children with disabilities.

The community members are greatly involved and are volunteering to offer labour for the construction of the community school. The local leaders are always working hand in hand with the community members to provide essential support in the construction of the community school.

The three classrooms and one staffroom construction from foundation to roofing stage as per the reporting period.

Establishment of Bible Study Site (More Jesus)

In the course of the quarter, LGM established one Bible study site in Agulu Mola Village. Many community members and individuals lack access to consistent, scripture-based teaching and emotional/spiritual support. The Bible Study introduced in Agulu Mola will meet a spiritual need of the locals, offer emotional and moral support during life challenges, and foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose in community. Bible studies in three other locations are going well.

More importantly, the Bible study will provide a platform for discipleship and leadership development, supporting the community members with access to the word of God, help understanding the word of God, and living with Christian values. 

Community members at the new Bible study site. The elderly lady and youth pastor received Bibles to enable them access the word of God as they attend Bible studies with children, youth and other community members.

Latrine Cleaning & Construction

With a focus on promoting good Health, Dignity, and Learning through Improved Sanitation during this quarter, LGM supported Coo-Pill Primary School with funds to drain their full latrines so they were in good and healthy condition for use by the school children. In addition, LGM, through donations from GMP, constructed a five-door latrine in Agung Community School with the aim of improving sanitation while in school, creating a safe and healthy environment that supports academic performance and wellbeing. The work on the latrine is ongoing and it is expected to finish towards the end of October 2025.

The construction of the five-door latrine up to the reporting period.

Menstrual Education (More WASH)

Related to the 2025 annual goal of More Jesus, More WASH, LGM conducted menstrual education in Coo-Pill primary school whereby a total of 53 girls after menstrual education were given reusable sanitary pads to support them during menstrual cycles, keeping them clean and healthy while in school and in the community.

WASH paintings were also drawn in two schools: Rock View Primary and Nursery School and Coo-Pill Primary School. The message of the murals educates learners, teachers, community members and stakeholders on the best practices of promoting good health and hygiene.

The women and girls who participate in Bible studies were additionally supported with reusable to help them maintain their health and hygiene well when menstruating.

Support for girls in schools and women in the community to access hygiene kits during menstrual periods. LGM, through support from GMP, is committed to supporting women and girls with sanitary pads to promote menstrual justice and education for women and girls in schools and communities.

Key Results

• Four boreholes successfully drilled, equipped, and fully functional in four different communities within Unyama Sub- County, Gulu District.
• At least 2,000 community members,  50% women and girls, now have reliable access to clean water which has reduced the burden of walking long distances in search of water and will contribute to improved health and hygiene.
• One fully equipped community school with three classrooms and one staffroom has started construction (estimated completion in two weeks). It will create a friendly, conducive learning and teaching environment with improved health and hygiene. 
• A total of 159 pads distributed to school-going girls of Coo-Pill Primary School to promote menstrual justice and encourage girls to stay in schools even while menstruating.
• One Bible study site established to foster deeper understanding of the Word of God through sharing, providing spiritual growth and support and unity among children, leaders, and community members.
• Construction of five-door latrine started (estimated completion one weeks’ time). This will greatly improve hygiene and sanitation for learners while in school leading to improved health for the learners and clean environment.

Challenges & Recommendations

Challenge: Some potential drilling sites are rocky, necessitating more resources to complete the drilling of boreholes.

Recommended Action: Source additional funds to navigate challenges that may arise while drilling boreholes.

Challenge: Price changes affected the quotation for construction materials.

Recommended Action: Set aside funds to mitigate challenges of price changes in the markets for the next constructions.

Lessons Learnt

• Collaboration with community members and local leaders made it easy to work collectively in the construction of the classrooms and the latrine.
• The spirit of volunteerism from the community members – irrespective of their ages – created a platform of unity, love and synergy of working together.
• More community members still need access to clean water to improve on their health, hygiene, and sanitation. Particularly, to protect them from waterborne diseases contracted from dirty water sources like open water streams.