Project Uganda
Norben Students Sponsorship Fund
Ben and Norma Fear began their work in Mbale, Uganda in l999. In December 2006, Harcourt Memorial United Church agreed to assume responsibility for Project Uganda and adopted it as our official charity. The Fears and Harcourt United Church believe that education is the key to ending poverty. Project Uganda makes it possible for students to complete their secondary and post-secondary education. Students are chosen based on need and scholastic ability. Most of these children are from single parent homes – usually a mother or grandmother. See pictures
In Uganda, although primary education is free to all students who can provide their own school needs and a uniform, Secondary School is not free. The expenses for one year of students funded through the Uganda Project vary from $750.00 to $1,000.00 in Canadian funds. These funds cover school fees, school supplies, uniforms, exam fees, coaching, seminars, school trips, etc. All students in the program upon graduation from Secondary School receive computer courses if necessary.
Expenses for college students vary from $1500.00 to $2000.00, a small sum in comparison with Canadian costs, but beyond the reach of the majority of Ugandan students and their parents or guardians
Project Uganda also pays for the students to live in hostels when in secondary schools, in residences when in college if they are available or in rental accommodation where they prepare their own meals. This is necessary because children who live at home during the school term do not receive sufficient nutrition, have numerous physical chores to do at home and have little time or lack facilities to do the required homework. Living in a hostel means the children will receive three meals a day, no chores to do and usually have electric lights for studying. Project Uganda pays the hostel fees and pays for necessities such as mattresses, sheets, towels, blankets, wash basins, soap, clothing, etc. Medical care is provided by the Fund.
Secondary school completion does not qualify students for any type of work, so it is necessary to provide extra training to enable the students to find employment. Students funded by the project take a variety of College courses of their own choosing and interest. Funded courses include Public Administration, Information Technology, Teaching, Child Care/ Nursery School, Nursing, Hairstyling and Beautician, Catering and Hotel Management, Plumbing, Auto Repair, Business, Lab Technician, Law/Legal Assistant and Forestry.
The Justice and Outreach Committee of Harcourt Church have established a sub-committee to review the progress of the project with their agents, Ben and Norma Fear. Meetings of the sub-committee are held 4 times a year and reports to Harcourt Church Council annually through the Justice and Outreach Committee. Funds donated to Harcourt Memorial United Church for Project Uganda by church members, family, friends and neighbours of the Fears, are kept in a Harcourt Memorial United Church bank account and transferred when necessary to an account at Barclays' Bank in Mbale, Uganda. Because this is an official charity, income tax receipts are issued when donations marked ‘Project Uganda’ are made through Harcourt. The secretary and treasurer of the Norben Student Sponsorship Committee in Mbale distributes funds to students, a committee set up to monitor students being funded, distribute funds and keep the Fears informed about the students. The Fears communicate regularly by e-mail with members of the committee and no funds are paid out without their authorization.
The need for funding education of students in Uganda is great, but currently no new students are being added to the Project list because it is necessary for a representative to visit Uganda at least once a year in order to monitor the project and thus comply with eligibility rules for a charitable receipts. The Fears, would like to have someone who is able to oversee the project and travel to Uganda to volunteer to replace them and carry on this valuable work. The cost of education has escalated almost five-fold since they began funding students and with so many other pressing needs for funding, the possibility of being able to solicit sufficient funds is questionable. However, the Fears are determined to see that the 27 students currently receiving assistance will get sufficient education to find employment.
Hi Techies!!!Outside of the main text, we are hoping you can incorporate the following: Student Profiles: you will be receiving 3 (?) profiles of students, which will include a photograph, their story, their own word
Notes from Uganda: A letter to Harcourt Church members from a Norben Student
Photographs : provided by the Fears of the hostel, school, students, etc.
Map: showing where Mbale Uganda is (maybe using Google Earth)
Uganda Beads: text: Many of you may be familiar with the Uganda beads. The Fears buy Uganda beads - necklaces and bracelets - made in the Mbale area and resell them at Harcourt allowing the profits to go into the Project Uganda Fund.
Donations: May be made at any time. Any amount is welcome. Donors of $200.00 or more receive a letter of thanks from a student along with their picture in March when the Fears return from Uganda. Donations should be made out to Harcourt Memorial United Church
United Church and marked Uganda Project.
Project. Charitable receipts are provided.
