Once described as the ‘pearl of Africa’, Uganda is a place of great beauty. Its landscape is lush and varied, home to an astounding diversity of species of creatures, and the River Nile has its source there. The sunsets are jaw-dropping, their fruit is succulent and tastes like paradise….. but the most enduringly beautiful thing about Uganda is the people. 
 
Uganda has a turbulent history of civil war, dictatorship and AIDS, which has left over one million young people orphaned. In a country where poverty is widespread, children often die from diseases such as Malaria. Although primary education is nearly universally accessible, secondary education and college education is regarded as a ‘privilege’ and not a right and lies beyond the means of most families. Uganda has the youngest age structure in the world. 49% of the population are under 14 years of age. There is little hope for employment for poor and orphaned young people and they desperately need the opportunity to learn skills to provide for themselves and their families as they approach adulthood.

UgandAid provides sponsorship for vulnerable young people, mainly orphans, to learn desperately needed vocational skills at the Nile Vocational Institute, near Jinja.

The Nile Vocational Institute

Since its foundation in 1988, NVI has an awe inspiring track record of providing quality skills training to young people, in a loving, safe environment. At NVI young people are prepared practically, socially and emotionally for adult life.

NVI selects the ‘poorest of the poor’, children with no other chance of education, but with a willingness for hard work. NVI relies heavily on Vocational Training Sponsorship. At a cost of around £40 per month, a student can be fully sponsored through the NVI residential programme. Sponsorship money covers the full cost of vocational training, uniform, accommodation, meals and healthcare during term time, and follow-up support to help establish former students in business and employment.

My visit to Uganda

I represented Ashton Sixth Form College on a recent two week trip to Uganda, with a group called UgandAid. During the trip, I met some truly inspiring, wonderful people, who despite having very little, give so much. The experience has left a profound impression on me, and has given me a determination to forge a meaningful link between students I met in Uganda and ASFC. I was incredibly affected by the enthusiasm and commitment of the students, it was inspiring to witness the dedication and resourcefulness of the teaching staff. Often there is a lack of material resources, and equipment that we take for granted at ASFC is scarce. However, during my visit, I spoke to several teachers about their experiences and what they feel most contributes towards a good teaching and learning. Most teaching staff felt that students must want to learn and be attentive and self-disciplined.
It was indeed, heart-warming to meet students, who spoke about their chance to go to college as a ‘privilege’ and a life changing   opportunity. Students take their studies very seriously and the young people I spoke to were very motivated to succeed, not only for themselves, but for younger dependents too.

ASFC is to act as sponsor for two students, Mohammed and Susan via Ugandaid. This is only the beginning of what should be a meaningful and long lasting relationship between two institutions, separated by miles and circumstance but united by a commitment to young people.

Alison Thomas

In addition to spending time at NVI, Alison contributed to an assortment of manual tasks e.g. redecorating, paint stripping, bricklaying. She also acted as ‘artistic director’ for an interior design project for the refurbished nursery classrooms, starred in a drama performance in Church (as God), operated a puppet in a puppet show, shadowed teaching staff, distributed food to children in an Urban slum, helped deliver health education workshops, played with children at the Macedonia Children’s project and co-authored the official blog for the trip, which can be viewed at www.uganda2011@livejournal.com