Friends of Bwindi

Together we can make a difference

A voluntary charitable non-profit organisationHMRC Charity Tax reference XT7160; SA Donate reference VAT49TG

• Uganda is one of the 50 Least Developed Countries (LDC’s).

• Almost 50% of the population in LDCs lives on less than $1 a day.

• Within Uganda, rural areas such as the Bwindi region suffer more poverty.

Uganda

Uganda UK

Infant mortality rate per 1000 live births

65 6

Life expectancy – men

52 years77

years

Life expectancy – women

53 years82

years

Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest is a National Park in the south of Uganda, and is one of the last remaining habitats of rare mountain gorillas. Since the area was designated as a wildlife reserve the gorilla population is recovering.

The community around Bwindi is one of the poorest in the world, and it has been devastated by HIV/AIDs. In Uganda HIV has spread mainly by heterosexual transmission and has affected huge numbers of young adults, leaving communities struggling to cope with the many orphaned children.

Friends of Bwindi aim to support the communities around Bwindi, helping them to overcome poverty and to build a better future. We aim to do this by supporting projects that promote education, healthcare, sustainable development and income generation.

"The proliferation of orphans has become a deluge...  Extended families and communities struggle to absorb them; grandmothers bury their own children and then try somehow to cope with hordes of grandchildren; child-headed households are an ever-growing phenomenon …  it is a nightmare.“

-- Stephen Lewis, U.N. Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, July 24, 2005

MissionTo provide financial and practical support to the communities surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest, helping them with projects that will enable them to become self-sustaining communities free from poverty, and in particular to help them support the vulnerable and orphaned children of the district.

We aim to work with local people to help them implement sustainable and holistic projects for which they have identified a need.

Values• We aim to work in partnership with people

disadvantaged by poverty to enable them to undertake their own projects and to provide sustainable support to the community.

• We are an independent organisation with no religious or political affiliations.

• We aim to be aware of and sensitive to local culture, values and issues.

Our organisation is run by volunteers working from home, minimising overheads.

What We Do• Increase the profile of local organisations by building websites and other

publicity.

• Assist communications with supporters to reduce the disadvantages caused by the remoteness of the district.

• Support fund raising & raise funds – Research potential sources of funding, join online affiliate schemes to link to our websites, internet auctions of donated goods. Supporters can be confident that when funds are donated to 'Friends of Bwindi' our trustees must monitor the funds after transfer and check that they are used as intended, in line with UK charity law. We only support organisations with high standards of transparency and accountability.

• Provide any other advice and support as appropriate.

Current Projects• Stay Safe Children Foundation – a

community based organisation promoting care and support to orphans, street children and those with special needs and their families.

• Bwindi Community Hospital – provides health services to a wide rural area

• Students and Families - Payments to individuals and families to support education costs and relieve poverty. These may be one-off payments or ongoing support, depending on circumstances, need and funding available.

Stay Safe Children FoundationStay Safe Children Foundation (SSCF) is a community based organisation operating in Kihihi, a town in the region surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest.

SSCF aims to promote care and support to orphans, street children and those with special needs and their families, and to contribute to the prevention of HIV/AIDs as well as alleviating its impact.

Stay Safe Children FoundationWe have made a website for SSCF and assist with updates on request.

During 2009 we paid rent of their new building for 1 year, plus furniture, stationary, sign, craft materials and other costs. We also sent a digital camera and other items.

£ 480 will pay for installation of mains electricity to the building rented by SSCF, which the landlord will accept in lieu of 1 year’s rent.

£ 440 will buy 3 sewing machines so that young people can be trained in tailoring skills

£ 180 pays for an instructor for the first 9 month course

Bwindi Community HospitalBwindi Community Hospital was founded in 2003. It began as an outreach clinic under a tree, and has grown into a 62-bed Hospital providing health care and health education services to a population of over 60,000 people.

Outreach teams are sent into the community seven days a week to try to make sure that health care is accessible to all.

Last year we funded a poster campaign, informing local people of the services available at the hospital and giving advice to prevent malaria and HIV.

Bwindi Community HospitalThe Batwa pygmies were displaced from the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest after it was made a National Park in 1993. Since leaving the forest many Batwa have lived in extreme poverty and are affected by the health issues that poverty brings. In 2000 their estimated life expectancy was 28 years.In June 2009 a satellite health care centre was opened in a Batwa settlement called Byumba, a remote location about 20 kilometres away from Bwindi.

£300 provides services in Byumba for 1 week £3 pays for a mosquito net used to prevent someone from contracting

malaria £6 pays for a person to get tested for HIV and know their status £18 pays for admission to a Hospital Ward for a day £170 pays the wages of a midwife for a month £60 pays for a safe delivery.

Students and Families Many talented students struggle to complete their education and are unable to take up offers of college places. Fees must be paid after primary education as well as uniforms, books etc. Many students must also pay boarding costs as schools may be too far away to travel daily.

Our Students & Families fund supports students through school or college, helping them to reach their potential and increasing their ability to support their families and make a difference to their communities.

Last year we supported several students families, including a family of two young women who grew up in a child headed family, one of whom had a baby in December 2008.

£250 covers the cost of 1 year of high school education including fees, uniform, books etc.

Find out more …

Visit our website at

http://www.friends-of-bwindi.org/

Shop online at

http://www.buy.at/Bwindifriends