Our Mission
Mission Statement
We aim to improve the quality of life:
- To support the development of rural primary education by providing new or improved facilities in schools
- To promote sustainable development through vocational institutions
- To encourage the growth of the local economy by providing financial assistance to establish or build small businesses to include
- Offering financial, spiritual and educational support to Mityana Dicoese
- To increase international understanding and relationships between the people of North West Hampshire and the people of the Mityana District of Uganda
What is the motivation behind what we do?
Breaking the cycle of poverty isn’t easy, but it is possible. If we call it a problem, then we have to admit that there will be a solution. We believe the answer lies for the most part through education.
We’ve all heard it, and many of us have said it: You need an education to get on in life. The fact is those with an education by and large do have more choice, earn more money and often avoid the difficulties associated with poverty. Every educated person may not be rich, but almost every educated person has a better chance at getting a job and a way out of poverty.
Governments do not have all the solutions and the best solutions do not always come from the top down. Instead, they are sometimes small and when we can all be involved. We are part of the solution.
We know education is the key to social and economic development.
About 80% of Mityana’s population live as subsistence farmers. But they know the value of education. In 2000 the Ugandan government introduced universal (free) primary education, UPE. The result is that the percentage of children attending primary school has risen dramatically over the last twelve years from around 32% to nearly 85%.
The government pays teachers’ wages but teacher resources, maintenance for buildings and accommodation for staff are negligible. The result is that schools find it impossible to raise sufficient funds to repair floors, windows, doors or purchase desks let alone buy teaching resources and equipment. This is one area where we can really help.
In 2006 the government introduced universal (free) secondary education, USE but only for those who have passed their P7 exams with the equivalent of a grade C or above at the end of primary school. As in the Primary sector, this has led to a 32 -35% increase in the number of children attending secondary school. Secondary schools suffer in the same way as the primary schools in terms of government funding for buildings and resources. Sadly although there has been a significant increase in the number of children attending secondary school, currently under 25% of teenagers complete secondary education.
So our first two key areas for us are Primary school education and Vocational training.
Our second areas of support are Incoming Generating projects and Micro Finance.
The Future
We hope to continue:
- focussing on projects that are sustainable
- developing and broadening links with schools
- supporting Mityana Diocese and
- financial commitment from UK but not financial dependence in Mityana