Ali Balunywa in Namayumba, Uganda
During the burial of Paul Luzinda A.K.A Puffman, at his ancestral place near Matugga in Uganda, I met many Ugandans who live or lived in the Netherlands. Puffman was a friend to all. He was found dead one morning in his bed. The Ugandan community in Holland fundraised and ensured that his body was returned home for burial.
I was fortunate to participate in the send off ceremonies as I was in Uganda at that time. Many Ugandans who live in the Netherlands and were in Uganda on holiday also attended the burial. Other Ugandans who had lived in Netherlands before were also part of the mourners. Among them was Jackson Muyanja.
Jackson had previously sent to us some documents explaining what he was doing in Uganda. The burial ceremony was an opportune moment to invite me to attend the graduation of his students at Namayumba, Kakiri a few kilometers from Kampala on 20th August 2009. It was the day I was originally supposed to travel back, but I promised to attend even for a few moments.
At around 11.00 am on 20nAugust 2010, I asked my nephew to give a lift to and fro Namayumba to attend the graduation ceremony. We arrived at around 12.00noon and I was promptly whisked off to the high table. I felt like a scarecrow with my jeans, sneakers and generally easy wear amidst suits and ties!
I came to learn that the organization was called; Development Initiatives and Self Improvement Program (DISIP). It is a community-based non-profit making organization registered in Wakiso district. It started as a self-help programme for individuals who were caught in a dilemma of losing a loved one to AIDS/HIV.
The current programmes of DISIP are:
o HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support
o Vocational Skills training and production centre
o Education support to schools and OVC (Orphans and vulnerable children)
Achievements to date:
o The HIV/AIDS programme has reached 6,000 people through sensitization, meetings, seminars and workshops
o The vocational training centre has trained 15 people in Computer applications and 6 people in garment design and tailoring.
o The education support programme has so far distributed over 1,000 textbooks to primary schools
Partners:
o Stichting Bibionef, Holland
o Amster International
o GTL of USA
o Tools with a mission
o The Buganda Kingdom
o Lawrence Kyeswa
o Market Vendors Association
o Local Namayumba leadership
Challenges:
o Lack of Finance
o Dependency Syndrome of clients
Requirements:
o Construct own premises
o Rent premises in centre for showcasing tailoring products
o Staffing
o Other resources
Namayumba Resource Centre
Products of the tailoring class
Ali Balunywa and a graduand
Jackson Muyanja and Ali Balunywa
Children of a local school entertaining guests
Namayumba Resource Centre
A cross section of guests who turned up for the graduation
1 comment:
Thanks for the coverage. Atleast you have put to light the achievements of some of the people who were wasting their potential in Holland. Real work is at home. Let us support that guy. Thanks Ali
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