newsletter September 2010

Social Action Program for  Strengthening the Youth of Uganda
"CHILDREN'S VOICES"

The collaboration of Unity Foundation with the KIMANAYA Foundation started in 2009. At the level of literacy, the project in Uganda does not only promote the learning of reading and writing, but also empowers individuals and communities. The KIMANAYA project works with young illiterate adults, most of whom are women. The program stresses the need to promote equality between men and women and the importance of good relations between members of a family. The Program of Social Action (PSA) initiated by our local partner is aimed at young people between 15 and 25 years coming from rural areas. In order to explain the program at best, we felt it important to give the beneficiaries of this project the opportunity to express themselves. We pass the word to them:

"I am happy with our group, because at the time I joined the program, I could barely read and write and I expressed myself with difficulty.Together with the group and with the support of our tutor, we have all worked very hard and we all improved. Within the community, we are performing service activities and organize awareness campaigns on issues such as malaria, the need to plant trees to protect our environment, etc...

As a result, the community noticed our contribution to the well-being of all and encourages us to continue our studies in the PSA program. My mother fell ill and I had to stay with her and take care of her for a fairly long period, which resulted that I missed a whole part of the program. The group members and the tutor developed a program tailored for me which allowed me to catch up. I really feel like a full member of my group and the community and I look forward to developing the skills acquired." 

SYLVIA

"My father worked in a railway station and I lived in the neighborhood of the station with my other brothers and sisters. We attended a school nearby. Unfortunately the time came where the railways have experienced difficulties and where there was not enough work for everyone. We had to stop school and we all returned to the village. Without an income, life became very hard. I started looking for a job in order to support our family. My father also looked for work and has been happy in doing odd jobs.
One day when I went out to find a job, I saw boys and other people from my village sitting around and listening to someone. Out of curiosity,  I moved closer to listen. I heard this man saying that anyone interested in learning should let him know and write his name on a card.

Many of my friends registered. I did not, because I did not know if I could afford it. Then I saw one of my friends taking place, while I knew that his parents had no money either. It was him who told me that the lessons were free of charge.

I was really interested, but I was afraid that if I enrolled, my family would suffer the consequences, because I could not go to work. That's where my friend told me that the courses were limited to three hours per day. Knowing this, I immediately added my name on the sheet. So three days later, I started the course and at the same time I started working. I really enjoyed this course because now I have improved our small garden plot. Now I can identify diseases that attack plants and I know how to deal with them.

Through my desire to learn and put into practice what I learn, I'll be able to help my community by creating a small business. Also thanks to the teaching received, today I am able to transmit my knowledge to other children and this way help them to recognize and promote their own talents. I learn from them, as much as they learn from me." 

ROBERT 

You can find more evidence of the beneficiaries of our project in Uganda on our website under Voices of our children link