A feast of colour awaited us with lots of gorgeous African fabric bags and accessories on display and for sale. I can only apologise for not getting out my camera (very unusual for me!) and taking lots of pictures. I will try to get some images and post them here as an update soon!
Chris is a member of Skipton Branch and she and Ed came to speak to us about their work in Uganda supporting the Kisiizi Hospital. The hospital is a Christian run charity overseen by the Church of Uganda, Travelling to the area is an adventure in itself, involving around 10 hours driving on very rough roads after landing in Entebbe to reach this remote corner of Uganda. Malaria and other diseases are rife and general living conditions far removed from anything in the Western World.
Lots of interesting slides gave us an insight into this totally different world, and introduced us to the staff and supporters of the hospital. Chris and Ed having visited the hospital some years ago felt they wanted to be involved, and come up with a project to help raise funds directly for the community in order to help them survive day to day life, and to be able to provide an education for their children and thus hope for the future.
The local people are very poor subsistence farmers struggling to feed their families on crops manually cultivated on smallholdings. Water is drawn from the rivers and there is no electricity.
(The hospital does have electricity drawn from it's own generated hydro power from a nearby waterfall)
There is a huge difference between healthcare in Africa and the UK but Kisiizi has an excellent reputation.
Many patients travel long distances over the roughest tracks and roads to reach the hospital but consider their journey worthwhile for the Christian treatment they receive, whatever their faith, or none.
Some staff earn only £15 - £30 per month and often have to pay £30 per term towards education per child.
By making bags from locally sourced fabrics that are sold in the UK at western prices members of the co-operative can hope to significantly supplement their income, in addition to enhancing their motivation and sense of self esteem.
Over 200 children are supported by the 70+ members of the co-operative
100% of the sale price of each bag goes directly back to the person who made it vial an ingenious yet simple labelling process.
The bags are not sold in shops, therefore ensuring that the makers receive the full price with no overheads, expenses or commission.
The scheme is a brilliant concept and Chris and Ed are obviously dedicated to the cause.
Kisizzi Partners seeks to maintain Kisiizi hospital and its staffing levels by supporting the staff wages bill, helping with building costs and addressing the recruitment and retention problems involved in such a poor and rural area of Uganda.
It is a UK based charity (1079118
Please find out more at:
www.kisiizipartners.org.uk
www.kisiizi orphans.org.uk
www.kisiizihospital.org.uk
If you are member of a group and would like a talk with lots of photographs, stories and bags for sale please contact Chris:
christexart@gmail.com
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