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Rural Women Empowered through Craft - Nov 08 Updates

01 Dec 2008 20:27 GMT

Published by: Uganda Rural Fund USA, Inc.

<div><strong>
<div>Women Empowerment Program</div></strong>: </div>
<p align="left">
<div><img title="crafts1.JPG" alt="crafts1.JPG" src="http://media.ammado.com/fa76fa4e-ae99-4f79-8b28-aa7d16f71097.jpeg" /></div></p>
<div>URF has partnered with Fair Trade organization, 10,000 Villages (through Uganda Crafts Ltd), one of the world's most well-respected and well-established Fair Trade retail suppliers. A week long crafts training for our local women was completed on November 15th with a wealth of beautiful baskets produced. 23 women and 2 men participated in the training. This team will train the rest of the women. The newly trained artisans will receive fair wages for each basket they produce, generating a regular source of income to improve the lives of the families in and around Kyetume. Thanks to Daniel for making this training possible.</div>

<div>These women entrepreneurs now have the skills to make a living for their families but need help to get started. $100 can help a woman to obtain supplies for a small weaving business. If you would to change one family's life, please let me know and will provide more information. You can find pictures of women and their baskets here <a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hopeacademyuganda.org%2furfphotos%2f" target="_blank">
<div>http://www.hopeacademyuganda.org/urfphotos/</div></a> </div>

<div><strong>
<div>Nazareth Children's Home</div></strong>: The children are doing well. A new boys' dormitory is under construction to replace the old house. The new house is expected to be completed by end of December. Pictures at: <a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hopeacademyuganda.org%2furfphotos%2f" target="_blank">
<div>http://www.hopeacademyuganda.org/urfphotos/</div></a> Nazareth Home.</div>

<div><strong>
<div>Hope Academy</div></strong>: Classroom concrete floors were installed recently. Science lab basic equipment equipment were obtained. More funds are needed to get all supplies needed. We currently have 63 students in grades 8-10 (senior 1-3). Enrollment is expected to rise at beginning of the academic year in Feb. You can see pictures of students here <a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hopeacademyuganda.org%2fsenior-1-students.htm" target="_blank">www.hopeacademyuganda.org/senior-1-students.htm</a> click on senior 2, 3. The school gave bicycles to students who commute from long distance so they can arrive to school on time. </div>

<div><strong>
<div>Child Sponsorship</div></strong>: A good number of students have and more than 30 more are still waiting. We accept students who don't have guardians or sponsors to pay for their fees. They can study for free until we find them sponsors. It cost $100 a semester/term ($300 a year). To see students waiting for sponsors, visit this page: <a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ugandaruralfund.org%2fsponsor-a-child.htm" target="_blank">http://www.ugandaruralfund.org/sponsor-a-child.htm</a> </div>

<div>
<div><strong>Water, Sanitation and Power: </strong>
<div>EWB of U. of Minnesota installed water tanks for rain water harvesting system for the school this past July. The team is now designing a underground water supply system for the school and immediate neighborhood. They are also working on an expanded sanitation system. The EWB team at Virginia Tech is also working on the solar system which will be implement next year. </div></div></div>

<div>
<div><strong>Campus Chapter Program:</strong> </div>
<div>Another group has been formed at the Virginia Common Wealth Univ. in addition to Villanova U. We are seeking more students or professors who can help expand student involvement by establishing chapters on campus - colleges and high schools. Email me for more information if interested. </div></div>

<div>
<div><strong>Pen Pal & Sister School Program:</strong> </div>
<div>Currently a high school in Scotland and another in U.S. are interested in the program. The goal is promote intercultural understanding and global learning. The program involves building student friendships, swapping news articles in student newspapers, teacher resource exchange, etc. If you know a school or a student group that would be interested, please let know. </div></div>

<div><strong>
<div>URF-Canada</div></strong>: We are in process of getting registered as a charity in Canada. Our team in Canada is networking with various individuals and groups who might be able to support our work. If you are in Canada and interested in getting involved with our team, please let me know. </div>

<div><strong>
<div>Current Volunteers</div></strong>
<div><strong>:</strong> Our current volunteers in Masaka: Marissa Carrasco(Canada), Daniel Strandlund (USA), Zach Williams (USA), Jessica Poggi (USA), </div>Caroline Zaayer (USA), Paula Cunningham (Canada), and arriving soon: Amanda Chung (USA), Michal and Tanya Spencer (Australia). Thanks to you all for your dedication and hard work.<br /><br /></div>
<div>As always you can find more updates and general info at <a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ugandaruralfund.org%2f" target="_blank">
<div>www.ugandaruralfund.org</div></a>and <a href="http://www.ammado.com/redirect/external?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hopeacademyuganda.org%2f" target="_blank">
<div>www.hopeacademyuganda.org</div></a></div>

<div>Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers, </div>

<div>Peace and blessings, </div>

Women Empowerment Program
:

URF has partnered with Fair Trade organization, 10,000 Villages (through Uganda Crafts Ltd), one of the world's most well-respected and well-established Fair Trade retail suppliers. A week long crafts training for our local women was completed on November 15th with a wealth of beautiful baskets produced. 23 women and 2 men participated in the training. This team will train the rest of the women. The newly trained artisans will receive fair wages for each basket they produce, generating a regular source of income to improve the lives of the families in and around Kyetume. Thanks to Daniel for making this training possible.

These women entrepreneurs now have the skills to make a living for their families but need help to get started. $100 can help a woman to obtain supplies for a small weaving business. If you would to change one family's life, please let me know and will provide more information. You can find pictures of women and their baskets here

http://www.hopeacademyuganda.org/urfphotos/

Nazareth Children's Home
: The children are doing well. A new boys' dormitory is under construction to replace the old house. The new house is expected to be completed by end of December. Pictures at:

http://www.hopeacademyuganda.org/urfphotos/

Nazareth Home.

Hope Academy
: Classroom concrete floors were installed recently. Science lab basic equipment equipment were obtained. More funds are needed to get all supplies needed. We currently have 63 students in grades 8-10 (senior 1-3). Enrollment is expected to rise at beginning of the academic year in Feb. You can see pictures of students here www.hopeacademyuganda.org/senior-1-students.htm click on senior 2, 3. The school gave bicycles to students who commute from long distance so they can arrive to school on time.

Child Sponsorship
: A good number of students have and more than 30 more are still waiting. We accept students who don't have guardians or sponsors to pay for their fees. They can study for free until we find them sponsors. It cost $100 a semester/term ($300 a year). To see students waiting for sponsors, visit this page: http://www.ugandaruralfund.org/sponsor-a-child.htm

Water, Sanitation and Power:

EWB of U. of Minnesota installed water tanks for rain water harvesting system for the school this past July. The team is now designing a underground water supply system for the school and immediate neighborhood. They are also working on an expanded sanitation system. The EWB team at Virginia Tech is also working on the solar system which will be implement next year.

Campus Chapter Program:

Another group has been formed at the Virginia Common Wealth Univ. in addition to Villanova U. We are seeking more students or professors who can help expand student involvement by establishing chapters on campus - colleges and high schools. Email me for more information if interested.

Pen Pal & Sister School Program:

Currently a high school in Scotland and another in U.S. are interested in the program. The goal is promote intercultural understanding and global learning. The program involves building student friendships, swapping news articles in student newspapers, teacher resource exchange, etc. If you know a school or a student group that would be interested, please let know.

URF-Canada
: We are in process of getting registered as a charity in Canada. Our team in Canada is networking with various individuals and groups who might be able to support our work. If you are in Canada and interested in getting involved with our team, please let me know.

Current Volunteers

: Our current volunteers in Masaka: Marissa Carrasco(Canada), Daniel Strandlund (USA), Zach Williams (USA), Jessica Poggi (USA),

Caroline Zaayer (USA), Paula Cunningham (Canada), and arriving soon: Amanda Chung (USA), Michal and Tanya Spencer (Australia). Thanks to you all for your dedication and hard work.

As always you can find more updates and general info at

www.ugandaruralfund.org

and

www.hopeacademyuganda.org

Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers,

Peace and blessings,

John Mary