One Million Trees

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Mukobeh Moses Khaukha

This article was written by Robinah Tie, a student in one of the Universities in Uganda, who describes the firsthand story of Kato Saul’s adventure. He intended to show all the readers of his book the good intentions of Hands of Action and particularly those who have never gone to the Eastern parts of Uganda. He very much appreciated the climate, climatic changes, people’s way of life, relief and the hospitality of the Eastern dwellers.

One Million Trees

The One Million Trees Planting Mission was established by Hands of Action Uganda and supported by Captain Planet Foundation from the U.S.A.  It has carried out one launch so far and expects to carry out so many launches to spread the gospel of Environmental Conservation both theoretically and practically throughout Uganda. In its mission sometime back, I was trusted by the Executive Director for the task of video shooting and editing later. But since the Pearl has the capacity to attract foreigners from the well–to-do countries and after paying dollars and pounds, it attracted me in the same way having stepped in the Eastern Region. Realistically, the mission turned to be an adventure and an important lesson.

Traveling to Mbale

As a video shooter, I was happy about the U.S.A’s Captain Planet Foundation through the Hands of Action Uganda because of preserving the environment of Uganda particularly in the East.  My eyes were refreshed by the nature. There was precious Owen Falls Dam, Bujagali Falls at a distance and the sites of the Hydro-Electricity generation that we use 24/7 and all being in Jinja District. Smoothly we continued with our journey up to Mbale Town.

We had left the Capital late, and though I felt like sleeping on the way, my colleague insisted on continuing with the journey. I even proposed that we could get a room somewhere in town and he finally bought my idea. At that time my body was entirely tired and his acceptance made joy knock my heart. We went to a certain Hotel and this was “Amazing Eldima”. This was so surprising and I believe if any one steps there, laughter may occupy his/her lips because of it’s constructional setup. The reception location unpredicted, we got food from another Restaurant instead and move back to Eldima. Surprising meals at our tables, this was Kamatoole, Maleewa and Obusuuma.

Uganda shall always remain the Pearl!!

I observed the climatic changes in [Eastern Uganda] that my eyes had never seen. This is throughout the year. Can you believe that the coldness is too much in the morning to be contained by the Central dwellers, that rain can be received in a particular area and neglect the next as you observe all these with your eyes? What an exceptional region!!! You will never believe that morning shower cannot be successful to someone new in the region unless he/she is adapted to the conditions. Realistically, it took me a full hour to pour a drop of water on my body because of the extreme coldness.

Finally at 8:00 am, we left for Bududa – a newly created district – and so famous for its constant landslides. This is so because it is so mountainous, nothing gentle and low-lying can be found. I observed the beautiful “Wanaale”. This is the big raised mountain that stands in front of the travelers as they move close to Bududa. As its effect, we opted for the short-cut to our final destination.

As a district with sub-counties, the above mountain is located in “Busaano” sub-county and behind the mountain, the sub-county town and the Bamasaba King entitled “Omukuuka” are found. Here I got a chance to take a glance at Him although it was a distant glance. But, the fact remains that I got History as well as the story for you. The Omukuuka and His subjects looked to be hard- but the land seems is leading them down as it looks to be unproductive. These people grow coffee, beans, cassava, banana and millet. Though there are much suffering from food insecurity.

Around the mountainous areas of Mbale and neighboring regions, the residents have ignorantly constructed houses without windbreakers. However, Hands of Action Uganda’s initiative of reforestation will act as a solution to the strong winds.
Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Environment | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can an Ordinary Child Survive Abuse Amidst Escalating Poverty?

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Marcia Bujold

Young children are often forced to do heavy work in the fields of Bududa District.

 

Children are a gift from God – fragile, delicate and, above all, a blessing to every African community.

Failing to have a child, a family is deemed accursed. Such couples will give their all in search of a child through different ways, such as prayer and medical consultations. This serves to portray the value of a child to African communities. Raising a child is not a simple task, and requires love, patience and commitment, as well as feeding, clothing, nursing, healthcare, shelter and education. This is naturally expected of parents, but it is also required by the state, which informs of children’s rights. Failure to perform is deemed abuse and is punishable by law.

The Constitution of The Republic of Uganda emphasizes the right to family and also obliges parents to provide basic needs for their children. The Children’s Act also defines Child Abuse as a situation where any adult who is responsible for a child willfully assaults, ill treats, neglects, abandons or exposes the child to injury or suffering. It provides for a penalty of not less than 10 years imprisonment for anyone guilty of such abuse.

This implies that the potential perpetrators of child abuse are none other than the children’s own parents, guardians and caretakers who are naturally expected to protect them from all sorts of danger. Such a fact has however not barred child abuse.  Research clearly shows that children are not only neglected and abandoned but also grossly abused sexually, physically and emotionally. Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Helping Hands, Poverty, Self sustenance projects | 1 Comment

A Welcome Song from the Tubana Bukibokolo Women

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Marcia Bujold

The Tubana Bukibokolo Women's Group sings a welcome song for Jennifer Anderson, who visited Uganda and Kenya to help the women establish their jewelry making business.

A welcome song for Jenn.

Posted in Poverty, Self sustenance projects, Women | 1 Comment

Women’s Bead Project

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Marcia Bujold

 

Tubana Bukibokolo Women’s Group
makes paper bead jewelry

Buy handcrafted jewelry at the Tubana Bukibokolo Bead Store

The women in our villages have come together to develop new skills and opportunities, seeking ways to help themselves overcome the poverty in our community.  They call themselves the Tubana Bukibokolo Women’s Group.  TUBANA in our Lumasaba language means united.  Lumasaba comes from our common name Masaba.  In our history, Masaba is the first person to live in Mt. Elgon, the ancient volcano that we live on.  In fact, the local name for Mt Elgon is Mt. Masaba.

The Women’s Group chose handcrafted paper bead jewelry as their first venture, and have been making necklaces in many lengths, styles and colors.   We are offering them for sale, directly from our community, and also with the help of our friends around the world.

The members are from many different villages. Women who are interested in beads and necklace making are trained, and in turn they train others who benefit from the skills.   Many of our women struggle with immense problems, but this training has already yielded positive results.

For example, among our group there is a woman who’s granddaughter is HIV/AIDS positive and has lost both parents to the disease. The savings from beadwork has greatly helped to support this child, contributing to her basic requirements like school fees and medical bills in Mbale hospital where she is currently getting intensive care.

Another member, Wakigomu, is a widow who cares for 8 young orphan children.  She was first trained in Mbale and has, in turn, trained a number of women to make beads.  As a result, she has managed to earn enough to pay school fees for her children and sustain herself.  She has trained other women voluntarily in collaboration with Hands of Action Uganda.

This project helps to eradicate poverty among our people, and is a source of income to the needy people and Orphans in rural and urban areas.  Beadmaking is the first project we have started with to eradicate poverty among women. We are also developing projects such as mushroom growing, poultry, music and dance, and hairdressing. Hands of Action Uganda (HOA) dearly appreciates your support to Africa.

To learn more, visit our Women’s Bead Project page. We will soon offer necklaces for sale.

Looking at the history of beads, our ancient ancestors used to wear beads, as an African culture we feel proud about it and keep it for our next generation.

Posted in Education, Poverty, Self sustenance projects, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Children’s Art Project

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Marcia Bujold

Zebras Eating Grass

Ridealist organizes Children’s Art Project and Exhibition in Bududa District

Step into a world of lush trees heavy with fruit and zebras grazing under green trees.  Where men herd cows, women tend gardens and children jump rope in schoolyards.  There are tables of food, and homes busy with people cooking, working and playing.  This is Uganda through the eyes of our children.

Here in Bududa District, we are very excited about the Children’s Art Project, a recent effort to raise funds and awareness for the people of our villages.  Hundreds of school children in four schools have been drawing pictures of their homes, families, and daily life.

The project is the brainstorm of Chris Gelken at Ridealist, a Hong Kong based media company.  Chris first proposed the project in September 2011, and sought donations via various social media outlets.  Thanks to a generous first donation from Simon P’ng of Malaysia, we were able to purchase art materials and begin the project.

Our volunteers and teachers worked closely with the children to produce over 600 drawings on several topics, such as women working, family life, and Ugandan animals.  The results are unique and charming!

“Sending art of Ugandan Child to Hong Kong is a pleasure to me because when such are exhibited abroad the people who see the pictures get an impression of what is happening in Uganda. I also feel that a Ugandan child artist can feel proud of his/her exposure abroad. This can also create good relationship between Uganda, China and Hong Kong,” says Teacher Namahumba Deogratious of Bukari Primary School.

Ridealist is busy preparing the drawings for online viewing and will frame 30 to 40 drawings for a gallery exhibition.   Drawings will be auctioned, and resulting funds will be donated to our schools.

But for the children, this is a special chance to show the world who they are and how they live.

Wamono Sam, a 16 year old orphan says, “… I feel very happy and I take this opportunity to thank Mukhobeh Moses K. the director of Hands of Action for partnering with Ridealist of Hong Kong and to introducing us over there, so that people can know about our natural talents especially me. And I think ART is becoming number one world subject because in Africa every school is doing it.”

If you would like to help with a donation, please look for the orange donation box on Ridealist’s blog.

Click here for a preview of things to come!

Posted in Children, Education, Helping Hands, Self sustenance projects | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Please sponsor this child!

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Marcia Bujold

Dorcus Nambozo, 17 years old, and her new baby are in need of sponsorship

 
In mid-November,  a tearful teenager, Dorcus Nambozo, knocked on the door of the Global Outreach Uganda /Hands of Action Uganda offices. With her was her three-month-old son.   

Aged just 17, Dorcus is in a desperate position. Once a promising student, she’d dreamed of becoming a nurse, or a journalist. Now with an infant to take care of, those dreams were dashed. 

Dorcus has a plan to provide for herself and her baby – but she is in need of sponsorship to help her get her life back on track.

This is her story:

Dorcus was raised in a poor home, but thanks to the generosity of a local councilor, Mr. John Nabende, she’d been able to continue her education through secondary school.  Then she discovered she was expecting a baby.

On hearing his daughter was seven months pregnant, Dorcus’s father chased her from home. Her mother had already left the family, when Dorcus was only one. And now Dorcus’s 18-year-old boyfriend – the father of her child – turned his back on her, and ran off. 

Dorcus took shelter with her grandmother, who is herself so poor that she cannot even afford the cost of paraffin to light a lamp at night. Despite this, she took the young mother in, and she wants to keep helping.

Dorcus knows the best way and only hope is to take a training course that will help her find a job to support her child and her grandmother. She wants to do an accredited Nursery Teaching course, starting in 2012. Dorcus’s grandmother will take care of the baby while Dorcus is studying. This is a two-year course, consisting of six semesters. Each semester costs $250.  

It’s the pathway to a better life, for Dorcus, her grandmother and the new baby.

Can you help? Donations large and small are welcome and urgently needed.

Please contact Moses at the Hands of Action Uganda office, handsofaction@gmail.com

Posted in Children, Education, Helping Hands, Poverty | 1 Comment

Agriculture in East Africa

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Marcia Bujold

A farmer planting beans in Bududa District, Uganda

 

Hands of Action Uganda’s priority
is to invest in agriculture

The rapidly deteriorating climate, growing population and rising food prices pose a threat to the global food production the world over.

In December 2010, the Time Magazine headline read: “Earth to run out of food by 2050”.  While this may have been an overstatement to a few people, UN agencies, scientists and food experts concur that indeed we are in serious trouble if governments don’t act fast to boost the agriculture sector.

This year, East Africa has been hit by one of the worst food crises ever, giving us a glimpse of how such crises would play out in the years to come.  In Uganda, agriculture employs about 80% of population and has accounted for 13.9% of Uganda’s real GDP in the 2010/2011 financial year. The sector also accounted for about 46% of the total export earnings in 2010. Although the role of agriculture in poverty reduction and overall growth in Uganda is well recognised, investment in the sector still remains minimal. There is no time to waste.  Uganda leaders, CBOs, NGOs must sensitize and must invest in making agriculture robust now, enabling more food to be grown in climate-stressed environments, without further exhausting finite natural resources like Elgon, Mabira and so many others that are being depleted.

Uganda’s inflation rate is now at 30.5%
Uganda’s inflation rate, standing at an astounding 30.5%, (source, Bank of Uganda), has been blamed on high food prices due to shortages in food supply caused by the scanty rainfall that has mainly been  caused due to climate change. (source, World Bank)

We are experimenting with new food crops

For the last two decades, government budgetary allocation to agriculture has been less than 5%. The money allocated is hardly enough to revamp the performance of Uganda’s weak agriculture sector where growth has steadily declined from 7.9% in 2000/2001 to 0.9% in 2010/2011. Economists are of the view that government mechanizes and boosts agricultural production through promoting agro-processing, which will create more jobs for both the skilled and unskilled Ugandans.

Hands of Action Uganda has initiated several programs to help our farmers seek out potential crops and new farming methods.

The project was made possible by an initial donation from Marcia Bujold from US who donated agricultural seeds to Hands of Action Uganda.

Posted in Agriculture, Environment, Food, Hunger, Poverty | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Helping Hands send a sewing machine, books and training

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Marcia Bujold

 

Five people in our community have trained to use the sewing machine sent to us by Corazon Ringmaster

 

We are grateful for these gifts from our friends

 

Thank you, friends from around the world, who have helped us in so many ways!  Here are more stories about those who have reached out to donate needed items to our orphanage and community.

Thank you, Corazon Ringmaster, for sending this sewing machine!

We are grateful to receive this sewing machine from our friend Corazon Ringmaster.   Since receiving it, three women and two men have already trained on it. The sewing machine will be used for making and repairing children’s clothing.  Hands of Action Uganda is now seeking funds to buy material, thread, etc., so that clothing can be made for the orphanage. We also look forward to developing women’s sewing as self sustenance business projects.

 

Mr. Khaukha Lawrence, Librarian, receiving a book given to us by Professor Kate Parry from Hunter College, CUNY, New York

 

Books for the Library
Many thanks to our friend Professor Kate Parry from Hunter College, CUNY New York, for the advice on how to run a community library and donation of books.  Professor Parry teaches English at Hunter College and is Chair of the Board at the Uganda Community Libraries Association.   We also thank Under the Reading Tree from Canada for supporting us with wages of our part time librarian and for books.  We are also grateful for the Osu Children’s Library Fund for providing us with books.

David Tye of Trees for the Future demonstrates methods to terrace a slope

 

Good environment is the backbone of Uganda
We thank the organization Trees for the Future and David Tye from the United States for their continued support and training in Agro-forestry, soil erosion control training, and providing us with different types of tree species for the community.  Trees for the Future came to us after a terrible landslide killed several hundred people in Bududa District.   David Tye helped our farmers with training in terracing and tree planting in the continuing struggle to farm on steep slopes.

Posted in Agriculture, Education, Environment, Helping Hands, Poverty, Self sustenance projects | Leave a comment

Helping Hands – Friends send food

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Marcia Bujold

Food has arrived for little Maureen, who is just 1 1/2 years old. Thank you Rachel Caddell and Hannah Daltrop of Canada!

 

For I was hungry and you fed me

We send love and thanks to our special friends who have heard our cry for help and have sent us much needed donations of food.  They gave what they could spare to help the orphans here.
 
Hands of Action Uganda has 180 children who we are caring for, and more come every week. We have been challenged recently by serious food shortages brought on by drought and inflation of food prices. Our sincerest thanks goes to Jennifer Karina Anderson, Deb McGregor, Hannah Daltrop, Rachel Caddell and Ann Rich, who all have gone without and left their own stomachs empty to donate food to the needy here in Bududa!

The children celebrate food received from Hannah and Rachel

Beans sent to us by Hannah Daltrop

Maize and beans feed a multitude
Hannah Daltrop and Rachel Caddell of Canada saved us from hunger by sending maize, beans, and special treats, such as baked muffins and drinks, which the children enjoyed very much.  The arrival of food was a happy occasion, and the children felt stronger after eating.

Hannah and Rachel have sent us food, as well as important items, like building materials and balls to play soccer and netball, so the children build healthy bodies.

 

Ann Rich holds another fundraiser event to raise money for Ugandan orphanages, including ours

Fundraising with love
Mother Ann Rich has traveled several times to Uganda.  We were so happy when she visited us in Bududa. She has been to other orphanages as well and has written a book, Mother Ann,  about her experiences.  Ann holds fundraising events in her community, selling items and holding raffles to raise money for us.

“I have been helping in Uganda now for over 6 years,” writes Ann, “I was so impressed … I went to see Moses and the children … what a wonderful young man he is, his teachers and his mother, too!  There is a food shortage and prices are rising so much … going to be hard times ahead for all there. We are so blessed to have what we have here.”

This little girl and her friends raised money to help the children in Africa.

A little girl at the door
Jennifer Karina Anderson and her friends gathered together enough money to feed our children for several weeks. She says, “It is such a relief to know that they will be taken care of for a bit anyway while we search for a long term solution.”

Her young friend, a 10 year old girl, raised funds for us!

Jennifer wrote: “So I am sitting at home, shedding tears over the orphans in Uganda, when a young girl comes to my door just now with a box filled with $53 she and her friends raised today washing cars to help the children in Africa. True Story. Amazing.”

We are so touched that this beautiful little girl would help our children.  She is a special gift to us.

Jennifer has been selling her art and having garage sales to raise money for the Hands of Action orphanage.

Jennifer says, “I am trying to raise funds to help Moses with more mosquito nets and food. I am also over half way to my goal of raising start up funds to begin a women’s jewelry making microenterprise there! Things are progressing, but the needs are too great.”

These girls are eating beans and posho, made from maize sent by Jennifer Karina Anderson and her friends.

 

Thank you to Jennifer and her friends!


 

Let me first pray for our friends

These acts of kindness remind me of this verse in the Bible….

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.– Matthew 25:35.

Rachel Caddell, Hannah Daltrop, Jennifer Karina Anderson, Deb McGregor and Ann Rich – thank you for obeying God’s word of feeding the hungry. We love you all for what you did for us!

We are actively seeking long term solutions to our situation, but any and all donations will go a long way towards helping us in this difficult time.

Do you know that you can feed 180 children for an entire week for only $80 – $100?  Can you help these innocent fatherless and motherless children?  Please contact Moses for information on how to donate at handsofaction@gmail.com .

 

Posted in Children, Food, Helping Hands, Hunger | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Famine knows no border

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Marcia Bujold

Another Painful Famine and Poverty attacks Africa!

There is hunger once again.
 
The worst famine in recent memory has gripped regions in Somalia, producing another painful humanitarian crisis in Africa.  According to the United Nations, tens of thousands of Somalis, mostly children and women, have already died.  And an estimated 3.7 million people – more than half the population of Somalia – could starve to death.

Famine and drought does not stop at the Somalia border.  Our area in Eastern Uganda (Bududa),  Northern Uganda and other parts of Uganda are already seeing victims of this painful famine crisis.  Widespread drought is contributing to the suffering of people region wide, drying up crops and contributing to food shortages.

Climate change is real
According to the UN World Food Program (WFP), the drought is a result of climate change, which is altering weather patterns in the sub-Saharan region.  And to complicate matters, the small food crops produced in Uganda have been sold at inflated prices to neighboring countries of Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving little for Ugandan citizens.  The result is the highest malnutrition rates in Uganda for children under 5 years.  They need luck to find food to eat.

A catastrophe looms
Unless relief is urgently provided in the next few months – before the new harvest – there is going to be a catastrophe right here in Bududa, Uganda.

Hands of Action Uganda has 180 children who we are looking after.   We are facing a huge challenge to feed them, with the skyrocketing prices for food due to the inflation sweeping across Uganda.

Do you know that you can feed our 180 orphan children for an entire week for only $80 – $100?  Please contact us to find out how you can help save these innocent fatherless and motherless children.

Posted in Agriculture, Children, Environment, Food, Hunger, Poverty | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment