Click on the images below to be taken to the gift shop.
Introduction
Project Uganda was originally set up in 2000 as a millennium project aimed at raising funds for Gables Vocational Training Centre over a five year period. Our initial target was to raise £5,000 per year, however, with the continued support of local people we have been raising an average of £7,500 per annum.
The project was initially linked with a charity in Coventry called Global Care, who were looking for someone to adopt and take on the project. Their support enabled us to use the already well established links with John and Alice Tumusiime in Rukungiri. During the development of the project Global Care has given us a free reign and we have been lucky enough to form our own strong links with Rukungiri and the locals sharing our passion for the development of the Vocational Training Centre.
Over the years we have held a variety of fund raising events which are always well supported. Other sources of income include individual supporters who donate on a regular basis, village groups, corporate sponsors and the Gift Aid scheme where we are able to claim a substancial amount of tax back.
Project Visits
Since the project began there have been numerous visits made to Rukungiri by members of the committee to ensure the money raised is being spent in the best possible way.
2001 - Matthew and Emma Gothards first trip was in 2001. This was a brief visit with Global Care to get an understanding of the project and how we might be able to really help move the project along.
2002 - This was followed by a three month trip in 2002 where Matthew was able to work along side a local team of builders to build the workshop block. For the last two weeks they were joined by Lesley Waters, and Ann and Rod Gothard.
2005 - Next visit was in 2005 by Matthew and Rod Gothard, during this brief visit they managed to build a dormatory block on site for residential students.
2006 - During this visit in 2006, Ann and Rod Gothard concentrated on providing rain water storage tanks to ensure the Vocatioanl Centre had a constant supply of drinking water.
2007 - Ann and Rod returned in October 2007 to carryout finishing works to buildings already erected, plastering, electrics, gutters, aswell as constructing one more Dormitory. A team was also taken to Modern Primary school and under Rod’s supervision they constructed a water storage tank and fitted gutters to a building paid for by another charity. They returned to the UK in December with Moses the Bursar from Gables and the Project’s main point of contact who stayed for 2 months gaining experience of the UK way of life.
2008 - Matthew and Emma with their children returned in May
2008 for 5 weeks along with Martie Stanwell one of the Trustees and Committee
Members and Bob Mckeown a supporter of the Project. They took with them
a brick press to start making high quality bricks and two laptops to help
the
Principal and Bursar with their work. They further extended the water storage
system and launched the Health & Welfare Programme by installing 100
mosquito nets at Gables.
2009 - Saw Ann and Rod returning to Rukungiri for a three month stay from
mid September. During their stay they progressed the Health & Welfare
Programme installing 700 mosiquito nets to schools in Rukungiri which will
protect 1400 boarding students, training students and local labour in the
process. They also constructed the prototype washrooms at Gables with 10
cubicles and clothes washing facilities including rainwater harvesting
system, again training students and local labour in the process. During
the last
two weeks of their stay they were joined by Richard Soilleux and Terry
Clayton who were researching the proposed Agricultural Project.
Gables Vocational
The Vocational now has approximately 350 students enrolled over several disciplines including, bricklaying and concrete practice, tailoring, computing, mechanics and carpentry. We are currently sponsoring 2 teachers, which has brought much needed stability to the Centre. In January 2008 we started a Scholarship scheme, which is a three year scheme for 13 students who cannot afford school fees. Students had to qualify for the scheme by showing potential in previous education and demonstrate that they had insufficient funds to pay school fees. We are continuing to develop and improve Gables and make it not only a centre of excellence but also self-sufficient.
The Future
Project Uganda is now focusing on providing opportunities for students after they have gained their qualifications with projects that give employment as well as addressing educational needs. This will be achieved through the implementation of the Health & Welfare Programme which has another 2300 mosquito nets to install in schools in Rukungiri itself. The washrooms can now be implemented subject to funding and liaison with interested schools. The Agricultural Project which is being designed to improve yield and diversity of produce through a Permaculture System. We currently have Moses on a Permaculture course and in addition we are helping them to develop a market for the produce, particularly with hotels in the area catering for western visitors.