First of all want to thank everyone who bought beads and supported the Ugandan bead community over Christmas, I am about to send off a cheque for about £800 which will ensure that the group of 15 children remain in school this coming year.
This August I took my mother to Uganda and one thing we did was spent time in the community brainstorming ideas, making beads and singing and dancing.
The woman made up a song for us about how they no longer have to crush so many rocks in the quarry but can sit around with their babies and friends making beautiful coloured beads.
The trip filled me up with inspiration and hope once more and upon returning to Edinburgh (where I am now based) all kinds of bead selling opportunities fell into place in a magical way. I did a market stall at my old school Christmas fayre, went to visit enthusiastic parents at a toddler group and sold some in my new work place just from talking to customers.
Beads are selling well at the 'bead shop/gallery' in Tollcross in Edinburgh and continue to sell at 'the galleri' in Betws-y-coed North Wales.
Another amazing opportunity has arrisen too, A friend of my mother is off an a sponsored climb of the Matterhorn and has offered to use our charity to sponsor. This may greatly help the bead community or another 'Uganda Link' project, such as the building of a maternity hospital near Kampala. The land has been purchased and is waiting for the funds ready for the building.
Whilst in Uganda I was touched greatly by the story of a boy named Mukasa David. I have known this boy since my first trip to Uganda in 2005. He is 13 years old and attends the school 'Katwe United'. For the last few years 'Link' has been helping him to raise his own school fees by selling crafts that he and his classmates have made.
He has excelled in class, coming top in most subjects and also becoming a prefect. This coming term is his last at Katwe United Primary school as he will then be ready for secondary school. We will no longer be able to support this boy in the same way as secondary school fees are much higher. Mukasa's mother is a widow and is looking after 8 children. She will not be able pay for his fees and she can barely feed her family.
Mukasa's dream is to become a doctor and to help his own people in the slum where he grew up, he also likes the idea of working in 'Link' maternity Hospital. He is a wonderful strong-hearted boy and I think his dreams are attainable, with financial support.
If anyone has any idea's for this boy or would like to contribute to his education please get in touch.
I also have lots of lovely beads in stock, so please contact me if you are interested.
This year is already very exciting and I am sure There will be a lot more surprises to come....
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