Unimaginable poverty but hope for a better future

13 January 2016

November 18, 2015 – IT’S been two weeks since I returned to Uganda and I’m surprised at how much this place has changed since I was gone.

I’ve been working alongside Chris and Hannah on a housing community project to save families who are living in the worst conditions I’ve seen. Over 700 families are currently settled at a campsite not far from where we are — only a 45-minute drive.

They had been kicked off land which they were squatting on as the government plans to build a runway nearby. They were forced to build temporary mud huts and tin shacks to take shelter, but the ground on which they are now on is marshland.

With three days of heavy rain they find themselves waking up in a pool of water as the whole area floods and saturates the ground they’re sleeping on. Chris and Hannah’s hopes and prayers are to find the neediest families and provide for them new homes and a piece of land to encourage self-sustainability.

I’ve also been able to follow through on finishing a house for a good friend, who, at six-foot tall and living in a mud shack with seven others, was very happy to see completed. They began the brick work over three years ago but ran out of funds to pay for roofing, doors and windows.

It’s amazing how far a few hundred pounds can go out here, with the whole house now complete.

In the next few weeks I hope to work alongside some of the S6 students to start a small commercial project in one of the nearest towns. They can use the skills they’ve learned at school and apply it to the project; builders and joiners will help construct the building, and those who studied business and entrepreneurship can put their knowledge to the test.

The money gained from this project will pay towards their university fees, when they begin in September 2016. I will mostly be using my own funds to see it develop, so let’s pray Ugandan costs are similar to my estimated costs.

December 12, 2015

The school term has finished and most of the students and teachers have left for home, leaving around 20 people staying for the holidays. What was supposed to be a two-month break is now three months, as the government does not want schools starting until after the elections, which are held on February 18.

It’s been a privilege to teach the 400 pupils over the two terms and I’m eagerly awaiting the results of the O-level and A-level students at the beginning of February.

I took a rest for a few days and visited a few homes and saw some of the projects. I also finished off the trenches at the dam, which has proved to be very successful. In October the water level was below one foot, but with the improved trenches and a few nights of rainfall, it’s risen to over six foot.

Once we get a method of drawing out the water — with a bore-hole or foot pump — the water is ready to be used for the animals during dry season.

I have also been learning the basics of Ugandan business, looking into purchasing a plot in Nakasongola for a commercial project. I have been working alongside three A-level students, who I have known since I first came to Uganda in 2013. They finished their exams at the end of November, but university sign-up is not until August 2016. I want them to work on a project that will not only keep them busy for these nine months, but also provide a means of paying for their university fees.

Each university has three terms, and at an average of 300,000 shillings (£60) per term, it is huge burden for many here to meet. This is considering the average wage of a Ugandan is around 5,000 shillings (£1) a day.

With this business they have the potential of making anything between 20,000 and 50,000 shillings each a day. We carefully chose the plot, which is located just outside the town, but directly opposite a high school of 2,000 students.

Students love chapattis, sodas and snacks, so they’ll aim their commodities toward keeping the students happy. During the holidays they can sell things such as flour, sugar, cooking oil and mobile airtime. A neighbour shop owner has been getting a daily gross profit of 200,000 during school terms!

The plot has been purchased and plans drawn up. We spent yesterday (December 11) clearing the 50’ x 100’ plot, which also include a jack fruit tree. We’ll begin building next week and should have everything finished by mid January. It’ll be a busy Christmas.

In Chris’ absence I helped Hannah with a week-long holiday bible club with the young kids in the local area. Over 80 arrived on the first day. We taught them new songs, games, quizzes, memory verses and went through the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

It was great to interact with the younger generation again, which are always fun and keep me smiling (and laughing) out here. (Chris returned home to see his grandfather shortly before his death.)

I’ve also been continuing my preaching series. However the congregation size has considerably decreased due to the school holidays. It gives me time to remember to always thank God for the opportunities I have here. Doing all of this without Him would be pointless.

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