A collective voice against child mortality in Uganda – in pictures

Kabagenyi Scovia and Kiiza Langton are volunteer health workers in Kigungu village, a fishing community on the shores of Lake Albert. They have received training that allows them to provide basic health services in their community. They have also received training in how to facilitate a health club. With their community, they have formed a club called Kagamba-Kamu or ‘collective voice’. Photograph: Malaria Consortium / Tine Frank

Volunteer health worker Kiiza Langton: “We formed the club as soon as we came back from the training. The interest from the community has been big - we have 70 members out of the 150 households.” Photograph: Malaria Consortium / Tine Frank

Volunteer health worker Kabagenyi Scovia: “The club has been successful. We have seen improved cleanliness in members’ homes. They’re now using drying racks and latrines, and are clearing stagnant water and cutting bushes around their homes. There has been an improvement in their lives and in the health of community members.” Photograph: Malaria Consortium / Tine Frank

Kabagenyi Scovia visits village health club members at their homes. Aramanazani Grace, one member, has eight young grandchildren that live with her. Photograph: Malaria Consortium / Tine Frank

“I got the idea to build a latrine from the volunteer health workers and the health club, to improve hygiene and avoid flies. Before, the younger children would get sick from diarrhoea a lot – maybe three times per month one of them would get sick. Now there is very little diarrhoea,” says Kabagenyi Scovia. Photograph: Malaria Consortium / Tine Frank

The club has started a credit and savings initiative where each member makes a voluntary contribution of 1,500 shillings three times per month. So far, 170,000 shillings have been saved up from which non-members can borrow with interest, and club members get interest free loans and assistance. Photograph: Malaria Consortium / Tine Frank

Bamukuraki Joyce borrowed 50,000 shillings to buy fish from the local fishermen to smoke and sell at the market. Photograph: Malaria Consortium / Tine Frank

As a village health club non-member, Bamukuraki Joyce paid back the loan with interest (10,000 shillings) after one week. “I made a profit of 40,000 shillings, which helped me with my children.” Photograph: Malaria Consortium / Tine Frank

In August, three-year-old Amalaho Gifty came down with severe malaria and anaemia. Her condition was too severe for the local health centre to treat, and she was referred to Hoima Hospital, which is about 70km away. Her mother, Atura Jane, didn’t have enough money for the transport. “I was very worried about going to Hoima. I didn’t know how to get there, and I was fearing Gifty could die on the way because it was so far.” Photograph: Malaria Consortium / Tine Frank

Atura Jane received 20,000 shillings from the emergency fund to help with the transport costs. Gifty got there in time and recovered after three days. ”I was so pleased when the club helped me with the transport. Now that I know the money is there, I feel relieved in case I ever need it again.” Photograph: Malaria Consortium / Tine Frank