From begging to a shared economy

Mbambu Julian knew that she played an important role in his household. She contributed food, work on the property and doing household chores for her family of eight children. Yet her husband excluded her from making joint plans for the money they earned as a family. The now 54-year-old woman from a village in western Uganda previously had to beg small money from her husband to cover basic needs such as sanitary napkins and to be able to buy simple, small household items. It happened that the man called her "demanding". Sometimes she was even subjected to domestic violence. According to Mbambu Julian, that pattern was not unusual in their village. She explains that men in their society were generally "the family's only planners and decision-makers!"

Learned organic principle of fairness

The turning point for Mbambu Julian came when the family became part of an organic farming group. With the support of around 20 other families in the local area, she and the rest of the family were supported to start making joint decisions. It happened in their Farmer Family Learning Group, which teaches, among other things, how to use organic farming methods.

In the group, all family members participate in the joint activities, which include making plans together, cooperating and making collective decisions.The group takes turns visiting each other's family farms on a rotational basis, and alongside training in organic farming methods, the group encouraged the individual members to follow ecology's principles of justice.

“During our organic farming meetings, my husband learned about the principle of fairness.After that, we talked in our family about how we could ensure that everyone who helped to earn money could benefit from our joint work,” says Mbambu Julian.

Inspired to make joint plans for family income

Inspired by the organic farming group, Mbambu Julian, her husband and children started holding family meetings where they make joint plans for the income the family has.

"During our meetings, I ensure that basic needs such as sanitary napkins, school fees, medical care and sanitation are prioritized. Everyone in the family is now happier than when my husband planned alone and, for example, spent money on unnecessary things like non-organic chemicals for our crops. Chemistry, which did not give us a better livelihood, but rather always made us sick,” explains Mbambu Julian.

In the family's home, there are now almost always things like salt, cooking oil, soap and matchboxes. They no longer beg from their neighbours, as was the case in the past. Therefore, the family of a total of ten people is happier and feels more secure in their relationship with the neighbours, while they - as Mbambu Julian puts it - "implement the good decisions we make together as a family."

"I have been given a seat at the table when it comes to decisions about the family, my children are happy to be involved and I feel more worthy in my local community," states Mbambu Julian.

Interview and text: Bihundira Gilbert, KOFLEC
Photos: Kule Jockus, Jocks Media