Who We Are Our Mission What We Have Done

What We Have Done

Our Story

The Buhara Good Shepherd Child Care Project began two years ago through the efforts of Edward Magezi, his father, and parents of some of the neediest children in the village. Edward will soon be the first of our village to graduate from university, and one of the few to have attended secondary school. His mother a health worker and his father an agricultural consultant for local farmers, the project was born from Edward’s realization that the majority of Buhara children have little chance of receiving an education. Although the Ugandan government claims to offer free Universal Primary Education, schools require fees: uniforms, building costs, and the salary for teachers often come out of our – the parents’ - pockets. When most parents are making just enough to survive, these costs can become prohibitive.

So, we began as a group of four parents, creating an organization to pool resources and ideas, and send our elementary school aged kids to school. With a lot of work in this democratically-run organization (each decision is made through exhaustive – and exhausting! – meetings with notes carefully recorded in the local language Rutooro and tea served by untiring hosts), the project grew to five, and then twelve sponsored children. In 2008, with outside help from interested partners like you, we have been able to do a bit more. Now, 22 learners at all stages of their education (17 in primary school, two in secondary and three in vocational) are supported by the organization. Each child in the project is the proud owner of a bed, mosquito net, blanket and a set of sheet -- as Edward likes to remark, even the heads of most households in Uganda can’t claim such amenities. We have begun engaging with Buhara Primary School, offering workshops and demonstration lessons, working to strengthen the morale and practice of the teachers. When we began the partnership, there were five of twelve teaching positions filled. Now, with a bit of pressure and a bit of cooperation, three more have been hired. The Head teacher agrees that children need to experience participatory learning methods, and so, slowly, we quality of the school improves. One day, we hope to build our own.

Additionally, we have begun working in the area of HIV/AIDS outreach. Starting with one sensitization session and a free testing day in partnership with the local government hospital, we now offer free testing and counseling every three months in the village, as well as ongoing support for those tested positive.

Edward and involved parents acknowledge that donations are ultimately not a sustainable answer to financial needs. While meeting demands temporarily, ultimately, organizations must become independent. And so, with the help of VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas), we have begun constructing a piggery – please read more about this under income generating activities – and are involved in a number of other projects in order to sustain the organization financially.

At this moment, though, we are still in the precarious position of relying on outside assistance. We are in the midst of growing pains: we hope to further strengthen the local school by hiring two more full time teachers; applications for sponsorship are pouring in, and yet we cannot accept any more members; eventually, we hope to build a vocational school in the village so that those who do not choose further education have the opportunity to develop skills. As a result, we write to you on behalf of Buhara Village, and invite you to donate if interested. We are delighted by any support – emotional and material! - and thank you so much for your time.

Community Empowerment

Since 2007, we have worked in partnership with Buhara Village families to together advocate for Buhara children
Together, we plan and discuss programs, manage the budget and work to grow our organization

School Sponsorship

Since 2007, we have sponsored 22 learners at all stages of their education. Rose and Mary have graduated as nursing aids, bringing their skill to the village. Kellen is nearing the completion of her teacher’s certification, and students are continuing to progress from primary and secondary schools to institutions of higher education.
In addition to supporting families with school fees, Team Buhara purchases uniforms, shoes, school supplies, lunch boxes and other basic requirements for school attendance. Although education purports to be free in the lower grades in Uganda, additional costs such as building and uniform fees keep many children out of school. We work with families to avoid this outcome.

School Partnership

We have partnered with Buhara Primary School, hiring one new teacher through the program. In addition, we have facilitated the hiring of two additional teachers.
With Buhara Primary staff, we were able to take the Primary Seven students to Queen Elizabeth National Park. For many children who had never been in a vehicle, let alone on a school trip, the experience was life changing. In addition, it helped to build morale among teachers and parents, showcasing the school.
We planned and implemented a collaborative workshop at Buhara Primary school, working together to develop best practices for increased literacy and English language development.
If parents are not able to read and write themselves, it proves difficult for them to advocate for their children, or to ensure that the school administration offers the education it is mandated to provide. Team Buhara parents realized that they needed literacy skills in both Rutooro (local language) and English, and so began an Adult Literacy class. Now, parents from the village meet weekly – taught by Clovis Amooti of Good Shepherd – to improve their literacy skills.

Health Outreach

Since March 2009, through a partnership between international NGO Marie Stopes, government-run Buhinga Hospital, and Team Buhara, individuals in Buhara Village and the surrounding areas have accessed free HIV and AIDS counseling and testing. In addition, individuals have accessed simultaneous free family planning services. Of those tested, 8% in Buhara Village and surrounding areas are living positive lives, and now receiving the treatment they need.
It is not enough simply to offer testing and to support treatment. Rather, any Voluntary Testing and Counseling Program must also support community members in their ongoing struggle with HIV. Realizing this need, Team Buhara parents instituted an HIV/AIDS support group, offering outreach to those in need.
Although the majority of Team Buhara children are not HIV/AIDS positive, they are vulnerable to many diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis. Realizing that our students were struggling in school due to poor sleeping conditions, we have now managed to offer each child a mattress, blanket, set of sheets and a mosquito net. Many of these children were sleeping on the floor without basic amenities; now, thankfully, they are able to sleep more peacefully.

Income Generation

We have been approved for a grant through VSO to build a piggery project. Our swine arrived in 2009 to much funfair!

Partnerships with the Larger Community

Team Buhara does not seek to function in isolation. Rather, we actively form partnerships where we can. We successfully partner with:

Canon Apolo Primary Teachers’ College, a local, government run teacher training institution which works toward the quality of Buhara Primary School
Voluntary Services Overseas, an international development organization whose volunteers and grants have greatly increased the capacity of Team Buhara
The Joint Clinical Research Center, a Ugandan NGO which serves as a pioneer in the areas of research and treatment. One arm works out of Buhinga Hospital in Fort Portal, where Team Buhara patients are seen
Marie Stopes International, an international NGO offering free Family Planning and HIV/AIDS testing, information and services.
International Community High School, a public school in the South Bronx, NYC which serves students who recently immigrated from all over the world. ICHS has brought to fruition a powerful fundraising initiative.