A group of women in Bushenyi Cluster shared their collective learning experience since joining TIST in 2004. Doreen, Joyce, Julliet and Harriet are members of Abamareire Small Group in Ryemigobora, Uganda. A lot of emphasis was placed on tree planting when they first joined, and it became clear that there are many benefits beyond the tree pre-payments that they could directly benefit from. Trees are planted alongside the road and farm boundaries, and “if you happen to visit our homes you are welcomed by trees and cool air.”

They received training on nursery bed management to start their own project of sourcing and selling seedlings. With a focus on fruit trees (grafted mangoes, oranges, and avocado among others) their nursery beds generate income for their families. Additionally, the Conservation Farming training brought them to plant vegetables in home gardens, bringing nutrition to meals and saving them the time and money it usually takes to travel to a market.

Many trainings are provided through seminars, and Joyce (their TIST trainer) has even traveled to Kenya to conduct trainings on energy saving cookstove construction. Other topics include tree management, soil erosion control, nutrition, and mushroom growing. During the COVID pandemic Joyce and her family decided to increase their household income by mushroom farming in their backyard. Mushrooms are both a source of food and income, “it is a good project because my children at home can take part in doing the activity.” “if you happen to visit our homes you are welcomed by trees and cool air.”“if you happen to visit our homes you are welcomed by trees and cool air.”“if you happen to visit our homes you are welcomed by trees and cool air.”"

Doreen, Joyce, Julliet and Harriet all practice Rotational Leadership, growing their confidence and leadership skills together. They are proud that various members have risen as leaders at the parish level and attribute the success to this TIST Best Practice. Joyce explains their experience well; “Through TIST Values we were able to learn how to do work with our hands and heads and working together in a group as members.”