We did it!
Brian Bennett raised £1,926 from 20 supporters
or
Start your own crowdfunding page
Closed 20/08/2018
Weʼve raised £1,926 to create a film promoting an initiative to help poor families in Uganda grow their own food, stay healthy and send their children to school.
- Bromham, Bedford, UK
- Funded on Monday, 20th August 2018
Don't have time to donate right now?
Story
Food poverty is a huge issue for thousands of families in parts of Uganda, despite clement weather and ample land. In many ways, these people are no different to us. They are hard-working, industrious and creative and yet so many do not know where their next meal will come from, let alone when. The people I have met also have dignity and pride; they don't want to see their children go hungry, yet they do not beg. These families are not looking for handouts but, for things to change, they do need a hand up. From what I have seen and am doing, I now know that things can be different. This situation is being turned around and, with your help, things can be different for hundreds, if not thousands of families.
Here's the problem.
Although most families own or have access to large expanses of land on which to grow food, their ability to do so is impaired by their inability to plant enough seed in each of the planting seasons, to provide food for themselves.
This situation is exacerbated by the fact that It is very often the women who take on the ‘burden’ of providing food for their families. Although willing and perfectly able to plant their seed, time is not on their side. Narrow planting seasons and their other responsibilities (looking after their children, or working away from home to earn money) impact the opportunity they have to plant before the rains come. When they are able to plant seed, they have to do so using hand hoes, spoons or even their fingers to open up the hard, often caked soil. Land which could otherwise be planted becomes over-grown with weeds. And the families will go hungry once the little food they can grow runs out.
The case being made here is one which has the potential to transform the lives of families and indeed whole communities in Ugandan communities. The issue isn’t the lack of land, or a harsh climate, or people unwilling to work in order to provide food for themselves and their families. The ‘window’ for planting seed is very narrow. The issue is time.
Here's my solution
I am currently testing a new way for families to grow more food using ox-drawn ploughs to open up the soil, making it possible for families to plant more seed before the rains come.
I have ploughed five acres of land for five families; four acres of maize and one of beans. For the first time, these families will have surplus crops from the harvest which can be sold at market. Not only will the money their hard work has earned over 12 months enable their children to go to school, the family to have access to healthcare.
Also, by pooling their resources, these five families plan to buy their own oxen, their own plough and be given training in their use. These five families are on their way to self-sufficiency and this is the story I want to tell, through the medium of film.
The £3,000 I am asking for here is enable me to film the harvest of maize in early July, interviews with the five families and a coordinator from their local church and post-production upon my return to the UK.
I commit to providing a copy of this film to each and every individual who shares my passion to make a real and lasting difference to hard-working families in Uganda...
Updates
19
- 6 years ago
Brian Bennett
6 years agoI am so thankful for each and every person. who has contributed £1,906 to this project. Planning for lost-production is at an advanced stage and the closer we can get to the original £3,000 target, the bigger the 'splash' and the more sustained presence we can make on social media, YouTube, etc., which would be GOOD NEWS for many more families in Uganda! This campaign closes on August 20. If there is anything else I can do which you think would encourage your friends or family to give, please advise ... I am all ears!
Share this update to help us raise more
- 6 years ago
Brian Bennett
6 years agoThanks to some generous friends, the concept of utilising ox-drawn ploughs to enable rural families plant more crops, creating a surplus that can be sold to generate an income for families is now proven. And the sustainability aspect of this concept, with families now able to use THEIR money to plough their land and buy/plant more seed is in work. I just need to create some films to broaden awareness of this simple concept in order to help more families and so still need to raise some funds. Please share this GOOD NEWS, a refreshing change!
Share this update to help us raise more
- 6 years ago
Brian Bennett
6 years agoFilming is now complete and I am back from Uganda. Over the next few days I want to share something of the five families that I met and which inspired me so. Today I want to introduce you to Pauline, she is awesome! I now need to create a number of films and video clips in order to prove the concept, that ox-drawn ploughs can truly change lives for good. Pauline and her family will never go hungry again! Please inspire your friends and family with Pauline's story and please encourage them to help fund these new films to change more lives!
Share this update to help us raise more
Brian Bennett started crowdfunding
Leave a message of support
Supporters
20
Brian Stanbridge
Aug 13, 2018
I really think this is a fantastic project, so glad you are home safe & sound and good luck with the editing. I am sure its going to be fantastic
£150.00
Jarod and Anita Darashah-Borman
Jul 23, 2018
Dear Brian - Massive congratulations on embarking on this project. Go for it and watch the seed multiply.
£100.00
Anonymous
Jul 8, 2018
Brother. Love what you are doing. God's Blessings as you journey. Believe you are there now - praying for you. I really pray this develops for all sorts of good reasons. Jez M.
Sarah Dent
Jul 7, 2018
What an incredible thing you are doing! Helen has been telling me all aboit it! Good luck!
£50.00
Alison Brooking
Jun 29, 2018
All the best for your filming in Uganda.
£20.00
Anonymous
Jun 29, 2018
God bless your mission.
Brian Stanbridge
Jun 28, 2018
Good luck Brian, safe flight, safe return and make great video.
£300.00
What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is a new type of fundraising where you can raise funds for your own personal cause, even if you're not a registered charity.
The page owner is responsible for the distribution of funds raised.
Great people make things happen
Do you know anyone in need or maybe want to help a local community cause?
Create you own page and donʼt let that cause go unfunded!
About CrowdfundingAbout the fundraiser
Brian Bennett
Bromham, Bedford, UK
I have spent 15 years as a fundraiser. I am cause-driven and, I'm told, a good storyteller. In October 2015, I met a Pastor who opened my eyes to the plight of starving families in Uganda and of his solution. I want to tell his story, I want to inspire others to share it too.