During the period when LRA attacks were still intense in northern Uganda, many businesses came to a standstill. Ayen Rose’s business that she had started between 1999 and 2000 to raise pigs was among the unlucky businesses that did not survive the war.

Forced to resettle in one of the Internal Displacement Camps, Ayen Rose still managed to take her pigs with her. However, when the LRA was no longer a threat in northern Uganda and they were at last able to leave, she had to sell all the pigs in order to buy land so her family could relocate.

Today Rose lives in Lacor with her mother Korina Anyap, and the rest of her family. Anyap is the grandmother and guardian of Papito, a Legacy Scholarship Program (LSP) student. With oversight from his grandmother and help from his aunt Rose, Papito launched a pig project using startup capital of approximately $800 from Invisible Children. With that money, they bought 5 piglets, built a pigsty and have been able to meet other maintenance costs.

They are serious about their business, making sure there is always enough food for the animals and that the pigsty is kept clean.

“We bought four females and one male hoping they can multiply,” Rose said. “We love this business.”

For now, the piglets are enjoying the good life they have, but Papito is already excited about his plans for a business in the future. “I want to start a pork roasting joint,” he said.

-Germina

An IC staff member checks with Rose on the status of the pig project