Training to lift young Ugandans out of poverty

I left Siriba at the end of February and when I returned, David Steiner asked me to become project co-ordinator. This was an exciting step for me since having been to Siriba on three occasions, many of the local people had become good friends. Their world is so different to mine and with many things buzzing around in my mind I was keen to to do my best to help the Vocational Training Centre as much as possible in the months and hopefully years ahead.

What I didn’t realise then was that as project co-ordinator, there was never going to be a dull moment! My priority is to keep in touch with the VTC at all times and so we have engaged Rita Epodoi from Uganda Development Services to monitor on a monthly basis in order to improve communication.

When I was at Siriba I noted that many of the tools needed upgrading and so we have ordered refurbished ones from 'Tools with a Mission' costing in the order of £900 including shipping from the UK and transport in Uganda. Delivery is expected soon.

Since I have been back home one of my highlights has been a visit from Hands around the World trustee, Wendy Sutton-Pryce. She has made an imaginative video of my stay in February which can be seen here. She took it to her church and raised over £2000 which we plan to use training the really underprivileged.

April saw the biennial change in the Board of Govenors. We now have a very able Oskar Okumu as Chair, with the whole process supported and encouraged by Bishop George Kasangaki.

A new mains water system has been provided in the surrounding district and once we have clearance we are hoping to connect to it and also provide water harvesting as a back up.

I am planning to return in September, the main priority being to work through a plan of sustainability which we hope will climax in about three years’ time.