We are excited to share with you an important initiative that our youth group is undertaking. We are 4 members of the Bretherton Youth Group and members of the Congregational Church in Bretherton. We are raising funds to support a school and village in Toowa, Uganda. Our main goal is to help improve the sanitation facilities within the primary school - a critical need that directly impacts health, education, and overall quality of life.

Toowa is a small village, located near Lugazi in Uganda and with a population of about 6000, the majority live in poverty. Toowa Primary School provides access to education for the many local children. Friends of Toowa supports children through sponsorships for their education, as well as the development of the school estates and delivery of health and public health programmes.

Many rural communities in Uganda lack access to basic sanitation, leading to the spread of preventable diseases and putting the lives of children and families at risk. By building and renovating toilets, providing clean water, and educating communities on hygiene practices, we can help to make a lasting difference.

We first started supporting the charity, Friends of Toowa, through the Bretherton Brigade in October 2020 by sponsoring 2 children in Toowa; supporting their education, and providing livestock and furniture for their families. This is where our passion and commitment to do more began. As senior members of the youth group we wanted to find an international project, and it felt appropriate to continue the work we started with ‘Friends of Toowa’ four years ago. Over the past four years we have grown to understand more of the needs of the local community in Toowa, and due to the connections made we have the assurances that the monies donated will be put to good use for the current and ongoing development of the community.

So far, we have undertaken community-based charity events, and have successfully raised £2000 towards our target of £10,000. We are very grateful to everyone who has supported us and the charity to date.

Our upcoming events:

1. Family Film Night (with thanks to the support of the Bretherton Film Society)

2. Proms Night

3. Cèilidh - Burns Night in January

In June of 2025 we will set off on a self-funded trip to Uganda. We hope to see and experience first hand the work of the charity and how the money raised is used to provide a safe and sustainable future for the local community. We will share in worship with the school community, sharing the good news of Jesus.

We strongly believe that everyone deserves access to clean and safe sanitation, and with YOUR help, we can bring hope and health to those in need. Your contribution, no matter how small, will have a direct impact on the lives of countless people in Uganda.

Olivia, Charlie, Yensi and Lewis

Bretherton Congregational Church Mission Statement:

Working together sharing the good news of Jesus through faith in action,

serving our community and the wider world.

Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you for joining us in support of this vital cause. Together, we can create a healthier, brighter future for these communities.