The most frustrating aspect about working for Village-to-Village is the current lack of money preventing us from progressing and developing projects. This may be due to the current economic climate reducing donations and the number of volunteers coming, or a lack of focus on the side of the organization… Either way I want to try and raise at least £500 during my year here. Our running costs are only about £1500 a month, meaning that any donation that YOU give will significantly help in the running of the organisation.
If you were to donate a little money, it would go towards:
1.Increasing access to HIV/AIDS services, information and support networks for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in rural parts of . Poor infrastructure and remote locations mean that these people are often ignored by the government and other NGOs. Currently 0.5% of people living in rural know their HIV status.
2.Conducting research in sustainable agriculture technologies, allowing the development of our education and training centre. 80% of Uchira’s population are farmers who grow either maize or maize and beans. For the past five years the region has been experiencing drought, resulting in crop failures, and a resultant economic and environmental struggle for the majority of the community. Our training centre aims to educate and train farmers in environmental conservation, permaculture techniques and sustainable land management practices; aiding in increasing crop diversity, food security; soil and water conservation, as well as leading to a more varied and nutritious diet.
3.Providing education to children in Uchira. Evening English classes are run to help support children with their English as they take the big jump from primary to secondary school. Currently primary school is taught in Kiswahili with very basic if any English lessons. Once a child starts secondary school they are expected to learn everything in English. As well as this, a ‘Straight Talk’ group is run throughout several secondary schools in Uchira and the surrounding area- discussing issues related to HIV/AIDS. The groups produce poems and plays that are performed at public events to raise awareness and reduce the current stigma associated with the disease.
4.Establishing a reforestation project with the aim of creating wind breaks, reducing soil erosion, increasing shade and soil moisture, as well as sequestering carbon dioxide. As well as planting LOTS of trees, the project will involve the training of Uchira’s residents in environmental conservation and how to sustainable utilize and raise trees- both on the farm and in a small scale nursery.
Please, please, please donate and help keep us afloat. I will repay all with personal favors upon my return, and I can send pictures of exactly what your money has been spent on :D
If you would like to find out more about the organisation you can visit us on our new website, just go to: www.villagekilimanjaro.org
Thanks in advance,
Anna xxx
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