Workshops
North Baddesley, and in particular All Saint's Church has created a link with the parish of Kllembe and their church of All Saints. For several years, the Parochial Church Council has supported South Rwenzori as one of their two main charities and this has enabled the people of Kllembe to make considerable progress. The money that has been given has enabled them to erect a building for their workshops instead of having to rent , and there is also room for 3 shops which they are able to rent out earning valuable income. They are now in the process of building a shop/showroom in Kasese, their nearest town, which will open their market considerably and also enable them to rent out space to other users.
Kilembe Carpentry Workshop
Workshop Students Graduation Ceremony
Workshop Product
Mainly as a result of visits, some exciting projects are in the pipeline. John Cook has come up with an idea to develop the training in the workshops and to support the graduates as they move towards self sufficiency. He has been working with the charity Tools for Self Reliance who are being very supportive and have already sent out additional tools and sewing machines to augment the meagre supply that exists. He visited in July 2007 with Richard James from All Saints' church, Houghton to explore the feasibility of this project.
July 2007
Following proposals from the Mission Committee, John Cook of All Saints' Church North Baddesley, Angela Jones chair of Romsey Deanery Overseas Mission Committee, and Richard James of All Saints' Church Houghton met with Jan Kydd, CEO of Tools For Self Reliance (TFSR) and her team at Netley Marsh. A development Plan for the existing Carpentry and Tailoring workshops at Klilembe was agreed and John and Richard's brief was to explore it's feasibility during their visit. Many will know that the workshops were encouraged and funded by the Deanery Committee over many years. The aim is to provide more advanced skills, primarily to widows and orphans In the district, and enable them to lead independent and full lives and to bring them out of poverty.
The Pilot Scheme is to build Incubator or starter units for graduates in Kllernbe on completion of their basic training. Currently they have no tools or premises in which to carry on a simple self employed trading business. Not only is this frustrating for the graduates but they also risk losing many of the skills and knowledge learnt, because they have no means by which they can practise their skills.
The idea was actively encouraged by the team at TFSR who not only held out the hope of finding a sponsor to finance the scheme but also arranged for the shipping of nine sets of refurbished carpentry tools (a full workshop carpentry kit) and twenty Singer sewing machines. John and Richard had attended TFSR for a few hours a week for four or five months and were in turn trained in their refurbishment by Jack Llewellyn, a long time volunteer at Netley Marsh.
Our host was to be Revd. Capt. James Tumwelslgye, vicar of Kilembe, who had visited the Deanery with Revd. Ezra Mukonzo, Vicar of Hima, in 2006. Discussions were held with Bishop Jackson and his team during which the proposals were outlined and his blessing for the project was received. John and Richard's visit had been co-ordlnated to meet the arrival of the equipment and they spent time most days teaching the Kilembe students how to refurbish and maintain the sewing machines.
The requirements for a successful report were gathered by the enthusiastic Parish team In Kllembe. Land adjacent to the existing workshops was identified close to water and electricity and plans were drawn up together with bills of quantities and estimates of cost. The proposals were acclaimed by the students, reviewed by the Parish team and discussed and approved by Bishop Jackson, and on our return to the UK we were able to submit our report to TFSR with confidence. The project proposals were submitted to a prospective sponsor and in November 2007 we were informed that the full application had been granted and work could start early in 2008.
Time was found to visit Mbarakasaka and Road Barrier primary schools, which are linked with North Baddesley junior and infant schools respectively. Both John and Richard were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm for our visit and the wonderful songs and dances of welcome from the children, the speeches from PTA members and Head teachers, the food prepared with little resources and much effort and the real can do spirit that gets them through the many challenges they face each day.
Revd. James who took us to Mbarakasaka school, proudly showed us the bridge which now gives safe access to the school across the fast flowing river. Many lives were lost from those who had fallen from the old dilapidated structure. This was the bridge the restoration of which was initiated with funds donated to the team which visited in 2005.