POSHU NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2014
Welcome to the first edition of the POSHU Newsletter. This newsletter has been created to raise greater awareness of the work POSHU is doing, to keep regular supporters informed and to outline how supporters (new and old) can help.
POSHU is an organisation founded by Australian woman, Susan Howe. POSHU works with women in rural, urban and remote areas of Uganda. It focuses on places where women are affected by HIV/AIDS, are Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and those whose lives, are impacted by violence and poverty.
In February 2009, Susan began her first English Class for 40 women in a HIV/AIDS support group. 5 years later, POSHU is running 20 projects for approximately 600 women. POSHU plays a supportive role within the local community, undertaking to provide small amounts of funding in areas where small amounts can have great returns for the community. POSHU is registered for fundraising in Victoria and as a Community based organisation in Uganda.
As of October 2014, POSHU runs projects in 20 villages in 13 districts.
2004 EVENTS
Australia: POSHU supporter completed a Melbourne triathlon raising $4000.
Uganda: 120 POSHU women marched in Kumi’s International Womens’ Day parade.
POSHU teacher training day in on 4th October.
IN THIS ISSUE
UPCOMING
SUSAN VISITS UGANDA
POSHU Gardening Projects currently benefits 11 separate women’s groups across 6 districts. All of the groups greatly benefited from Irymple Rotary hoe and vegetable seed distribution. They all have planted for this season (August-September 2014).
They have learnt to grow vegetables, earn a small income from selling surplus, also resulting in better nutrition from eating a wider variety of foods. With many women now able to save seed, the projects are becoming sustainable.
During her trip to Uganda, Susan was able to visit the majority of the groups and collected the following feedback from the various POSHU coordinators and village spokespeople.
POSHU distributed 14 sewing machines i.e. 2 in each. These 7 POSHU groups did not have Tailoring Class until Irymple Rotary provided the machines, and also funding for the sewing teachers, one for each group, i.e. 7 teachers.
This small income (approx. $17-$20 per month to teach a class of 25+ students for one afternoon per week) means a great deal to the teachers, and they are held in high regard by the village because of their work with POSHU.
POSHU provides maintenance for the machines, oil, also thread, bobbins, scissors and needles, but the women provide their own material. Everyone uses the machines to repair their clothes, and are very happy with the project.
The Sewing Project has proved to be an economical investment, it works out to a cost of roughly $100 per month to teach 150 students a trade i.e. 50 cents a month per student. The teachers are assisted by a volunteer teacher who receives no payment, and each class has a committee to look after the sewing machines.
SAMPLE QUOTES FROM THE POSHU GROUPS
“Greetings from Kapchorwa POSHU group. The classes are going on well, the beans and cowpeas are being harvested, though most members ate while still fresh from the garden, because of famine now in the area [i.e. they were short of food, waiting for the next harvest].
The vegetables are currently doing well so most people now do not buy from the trading centres, they just get from their gardens. Thirty members still need hoes. The greatest challenge is the [changing] weather pattern. Thank you for your continuous support.”
Kapchorwa POSHU Coordinator
“Thank you for the hand hoes and vegetable seeds which we received. We also received maize and cow peas for planting.
Success of the Group: the group is improving in all aspects.Seeds yielded. This was a result of reliable rainfall. We had a problem of pests and diseases. We request improved varieties of maize for better yields. Our main challenge is poverty. Members are greatly affected by poverty. We request not to tire in supporting us. We request ground nuts to plant, to boost nutrition, to reduce the problem of malnutrition… Also some tree species to plant. We want to thank you again, may God bless you abundantly.”
Bukedea Village Spokesperson
“They don’t have to buy vegetables… even they don’t have to go to the husband and request money for vegetables…it has decreased the arguments about money…”
Orapada POSHU Coordinator
“Here in Busia we are doing very well all the students who got beans and maize are now harvesting.
The majority got a very good yield for example out of the 4kg of maize the harvest was between 200 and 250kgs so everyone here is very thankful for the seeds you gave them.
With green vegetables they planted and they are going to eat for the whole year. They have a demonstration garden where they planted tomatoes and green vegetables which will be ready by August this year. Thank you…”
Busia Village Spokesperson
“Greetings on behalf of the women of POSHU. Thank you for the great support rendered to the needy ones. POSHU has enabled women to participate in the growing of green vegetables such as eggplant, sukuma week, tomatoes, green pepper among others. This has greatly improved on the standard and cost of living among many families.
The project has given out maize and bean seeds to supplement on the growing of green vegetables. The project has supplied women with hand hoes for agriculture. Above all, POSHU has brought women together to share their experiences, challenges and find possible solutions to their immediate problems. Hence love and unity…”
Pallisa POSHU Teacher
POSHU SPONSORSHIP
October is the month for paying school fees
POSHU currently supports 40 at-risk children, assisting them to go attend school; their school fees are paid 3 times a year, but we’d like to also provide lunch for them. This would cost $10 a term each. There are also many more children who still need support.
POSHU also awarded partial scholarships to 4 young women, our teachers, to continue their education. Their courses include a certificates in Receptionist Training, a university degree in Community Development, and Teaching.
Jackson is one of the sponsored children. He recently lost both parents. He’s in P7, tops the class at exams and is best at maths. He should be going to the best high school in Jinja next year, he’ll be accepted there. However, there’s no one to pay his school fees, buy his uniform, books, shoes etc. He’s at risk of going to work at 13, washing cars.
Onweng is another sponsored child, he too is an orphan. He’s 7 years old, very good at math and a serious student.
Caroline is 16 years old, the eldest of 4 children, from a loving, hard-working family but income is $60. That’s not enough to send her to school anymore. This is a tragedy because she’s very bright, she wants to be a lawyer… and she’s capable enough. Her best subjects are Biology, French and Kiswahilli, but she’s also good at Math and English. She needs $18 to go to Senior School. She had to drop out last month, and can’t sit for her exams this year. Exams are in November.
Typical School Fees (AUD$):
Primary School: $20 per term/$60 per annum
Junior High School: $35 per term/$100 per annum
Senior High School: $60 per term/$180 per annum
School Lunch: $10 per term/$30 per annum
Shoes: $10
School Uniform: $15
POSHU supports 40 at-risk children to attend school, providing $12.50 per term/ $37.50 per annum, with parents or guardians paying the balance, where required.
THANK YOU to all our supporters who buy beads.
This remains a major source of funding for all POSHU projects.