Projects
Here at The Mbuyu Foundation, we always have projects happening. Why not check them out or even get involved in something GREAT!
Katanga Slums Projects
READ FOR LIFE
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Read for life is our literacy and library
program for children.
It runs in the heart of one of Kampala’s slums with plans to expand in to other slums.
The program focus’ on teaching and developing reading and English skills in primary and high school age children (with plans to run adult classes in the near future) who live in the slums.
Statistics show that children who have a love for reading & can read well from a young age do better in every area of school. Successful educational achievement is the only way these children will escape poverty.
Many of the children either do not go to school at all, or go to overcrowded, basic schools where children very quickly fall through the gaps.
The program runs with the assistance of our 6 wonderful teachers and runs each Saturday through school term, and three days a week in the holidays.
Along with being in reading classes where they learn through fun and interaction—we also have a library where the children are able to sit and read and borrow a book to take home for the week. (The books are generously donated or bought through financial donations from people all over the world - we are currently trying to build a proper library room and expand our book range)
Simply borrowing a book is incredibly exciting for these children who do not have much. They love to learn and we love teaching them and seeing the way they are developing in their reading, behaviour and understanding of English—and their own languages and culture.
Along with teaching reading and literacy, we also feed the children when they come and encouraging them to have DREAMS for their future.
This has been one of our biggest challenges, encouraging these precious children to believe that maybe they don't have to live in the slums forever and can get out of the cycle of poverty. We have gone from having children who barely knew what dreaming meant - to now having classrooms full of children with dreams to become doctors, pilots, nurses, teachers and so much more.
The program runs out of our Life Centre in the heart of Katanga slum. We have 6 classrooms with more in the works.
We have 200 students with close to 100 on the waiting list!!
The children are split in to a morning and afternoon session and each class is kept to no more than 20 students to ensure a better learning enviroment.
We have students from 3 years all the way up to 18 years.
We also have a creche that runs alongside Read for Life - we found that many siblings ( even young 5 year olds) would be in charge of their baby/toddler siblings while their mother/parents worked. Learning with a baby on your lap isn't very easy - hence the need for a creche. Its been a great success and we are enjoying having all the precious babies and toddlers to entertain and care for - they get to play with toys, and sing and read together.
It is certainly growing and we are seeing great growth in those children who attend as are the parents and teachers!
You can be involved by sponsoring the program, or by sponsoring a particular class - that will write you letter and send you pictures throughout the year.
For more details contact us below.
SKILLS FOR LIFE
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Our Skills for Life program is all about empowering men and women with income generating skills.
Our program runs alongside of our Read for Life program. Every man or woman who attends our skills training, has a child or grandchild in our Read for Life program. We want to impact the whole family.
The first 3 months of the training consists of life skills - ie, good hygiene and sanitation, first aid, good childcare practices, parenting and family bugeting etc.
Then they move in to various skills for the remainder of that year ( 6months).
The current skills on offer are Sewing and design, Catering & food management and Jewellery and accessories making.
With plans in the future to add mechanics, leather work, shoe making etc.
We run the course in three month lots in the first year.
They are able to choose to try out two different skills if they wish, to find the one that fits them the best.
At the end of the first year, they then make the decision of which skill they would like to master in, in the second year.
In the second year, alongside the skills training, they also learn how to manage a business, financial literacy and how to be successful in business and in life.
We are in need of more support to keep this program running
If you would like to be apart of helping a family learn a skill to get themselves out of poverty follow the link below.
ADULT LITERACY
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When we conducted a needs assessment and survey of Katanga in 2017 - one of the greatest needs and desires from parents - was the desire to be able to read and write and to be able to speak English.
Due to the fact that the slums are full of people from all over Uganda - many languages are spoken. Many find that they lose business because they can't speak a common language- or they can't read or write.
Hence the need to start our Adult Literacy classes.
Four afternoon's a week ( & one evening) mothers and fathers (or guardians) attached to the children from our Read for Life program attend our classes.
Other community members are also welcome.
There are three classes, beginners, intermediate and advanced. In these classes they are learning to converse in English but also to read and write.
Their desire to learn and to be able to have skills that will help them help their children, and to be able to earn a better income to care for their families - is contagious!
They are LOVING the classes and continually are showing their thanks and gratitude - with many saying they'd always wanted to learn but hadn't been able to afford adult tuition.
Many started out not even knowing how to hold a pencil, and now are writing and learning quickly!
Your support of the Mbuyu Foundation helps us to run these life changing projects.
SPORTS FOR LIFE
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Sports for life began in mid 2018 after realising that we had a lot more girls attending
read for life.
Many boys in high school in particular do not see the importance of reading or of getting an education.
So we decided to start sports for life—as a way to connect more boys, and to also encourage them on the importance of education.
Any boys from Katanga 10 and over are eligible to come to Sports for Life but they must also attend Read for Life regularly to keep their spot on the team.
They meet Saturday mornings for those who can attend—then they all go to Read for Life together and do more sport when its finished.
The team is also there on the field in Katanga on Sunday afternoon for those boys who may be free.
Not only is it about sport, and read for life but about teaching life skills and what it means to have a good character alongside sport.
The program now has a football team, with a professional coach, that now plays against other teams throughout Kampala.
The Mbuyu Football team are doing amazing!
At the start of 2019 we added an indoor sport - with the beginning of our chess club ( open to boys and girls).
We hope in mid 2019 to kick off a Girls Netball team.
If you have a passion for sport and know the benefit it brings to the lives of young people, in many ways, why not think about supporting this program today.
For more details contact us below.
STUDY CLUB
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We run a study and tutoring program for students from Primary 4 to the end of highschool.
The classes run from 5-7pm Monday—Thursday in our Life Centre in Katanga.
For the majority of students living in Katanga - they live in one room with their parents and often many siblings, usually without electricity.
So having a space where they can quietly do their homework and also have help available if needed is a big gift to them.
Students can come along and bring their own homework and use the desks, electricity and dictionaries.
We have two teachers who tutor and run classes on particular subjects according to the students that are there and the areas they need tutoring in.
They are also available to help or guide students who may just wish to sit and do their assignments or homework.
Alongside of the dictionaries we try to keep a good stock of various textbooks students can use at the facility.
We have anywhere from 20-40 students per session
To sponsor this program contact us below
SPONSORSHIP
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Every child that is listed for sponsorship attends our Read for Life program - and has done so for at least 6 months.
There is a lot we have learnt about sponsorship - MANY of our workers, including our Director Dr Rob were sponsor children, and the reality that sponsorship doesn't automatically change a life, it is sponsorship, coupled with a child and family who are prepared to put the effort in that changes lives.
Many of us over the years have seen sponsorship children not succeed because, despite the desire of a child, the parents have not valued education so have not let their children go to school, even though their fees are being paid but their sponsors, who are none the wiser.
Or a child, may just not care either - and sadly that persons sponsorship has not made the impact that the sponsor was dreaming of.
Hence, as a team we decided that a child must be regularly attending our Read for Life program for at least 6 months before sponsorship is considered, this gives us time to get to know them individually and to get to know their families, and the best way that we can support them.
So you can be assured that the children you see on this website, we know them each individually, we know their families and what their personal every day lives are like.
When you select to sponsor a child, you can fill out the attached form and someone will be in touch with you with more information on your child and how sponsorship operates.
Sponsorship is $55 AUD a month - this will cover their school fees, school expenses and medical costs they may have throughout the year.
You will receive regular communication from your child, including videos from them attending our programs.
We finally want to ask you to consider sponsoring one of our LAST CHANCE sponsorship kids.
Many people are drawn to sponsor young children, but it is the teenagers that are at most risk of not completing their education, as highschool/senior high is much more expenses, and many families will think they have had enough education when they finish primary school.
So prayerfully consider your choice and consider sponsoring one of our teenagers, keeping them in school lowers the chance of teen pregnancies, gang affiliation and being trafficked - all very real possibilities for the teens of Katanga slum.
If would prefer for us to assign a child most in need to you, or for more information before sponsoring a child contact us.
PACHA PROJECT
Pacha is the Swahili word for TWIN—The Pacha Project is a TWIN project.
The Pacha Project came about when we had many people in Australia wanting to get involved in some way in the mission of The Mbuyu Foundation.
We have a team of volunteers all over Australia who donate their time and materials to helping us fund our work in Uganda. They make beautiful handmade items for children & babies.
How does the project work?
Someone in Australia lets us know their interest in being involved in the project, and wesend them an information pack, which includes various knitting or crochetingpatterns - for anything from baby blankets to various African or Australian animals.
They then in their own time, make as many as they like - but whenever they make one - they make a matching identical one. In other words - they make TWIN sets. Same colours, same hair, same wool etc ( as much as possible). When they are ready they send them to our location in Australia where they receive a tag and are then sold as a pair through our stalls or online shop.
When someone purchases a toy - they keep one and then the matching twin is given on their behalf to a child in Uganda.The buyer gets to write a letter that is given to the child along with the toy, as does the person who has made the item.
When a baby blanket is purchased - one they keep and the matching one is given to a new mum in hospital (Dr Rob has delivered many babies in Uganda - where the mother has had nothing to wrap her newborn baby in). Receiving their own beautifully made blanket for their baby is a priceless gift and great way to show them that they are not forgotten and that there are people - and a God- who loves them.
FAQs
HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO MAKE AN ITEM?
The beauty of this project is- you just make according to your schedule, and for as long or as short a time as you choose.
WHO PROVIDES THE MATERIALS AND PATTERNS?
The Mbuyu Foundation will send you the patterns and you choose whichever you'd like to do - but you provide the materials used to make the items. The information kits provided have all the information you need to know.
HOW GOOD DO I NEED TO BE TO BE INVOLVED?
While we appreciate everyone's desire to be involved - we do need to be able to sell the item for a reasonable price to be able to cover transport costs, while also making a profit for the ministry. We would say that if you can follow the patterns provided your skill level is adequate. The doll and toy patterns range from an intermediate to an advance range, while the blankets range from easy to intermediate.
WHERE DO THE PROCEEDS GO?
The money raised through the Pacha Project goes into our skills training that aims to provide skills training to parents living in the slums.
