Container arrives in Kampala
We are delighted to be able to say that the Africa Equip container destined for Ben Parkinson’s Ugandan Youth Empowerment project has finally arrived in Kampala.
Our contribution to this project started back in 2014 when we allocated it part of our stock of school books, knitting machines, tools, etc and purchased the container to ship them and all Ben’s items to Uganda. Loading was completed during February this year and the photos show the final packing and closure of the container at Brett’s work place in Tyseley, Birmingham.
There were difficulties with the first shipping company we hired and as a result the container was not collected until 22nd March by a second company. It then left Felixstowe on 2nd April and arrived Mombasa, Kenya, on 4th May. After 3 weeks delay it was transported overland to Kampala container port, arriving May 29th. From here it will be taken on by Ben’s Chrysalis Youth Empowerment project, cyen.org.uk and after clearing customs the container will travel a further 330km to their Northern site at Gulu.
The container is packed with hundreds of needed items ranging from a generator to a piano, football kits to school desks, nursery toys and bicycles, computer equipment, tools etc. The container itself will be used to house a secure computer centre using the computers transported in it.
We are indebted and very grateful to the Fellowship at Small Heath Baptist Church who helped us raise just over £1200 through a Sponsored Run, a Table Top Sale, and Strawberry Teas. The Church also allocated a sum of £2060 which had been raised previously for Africa at Family Services.
The total cost of the shipment from Birmingham to Kampala was over £3500.
Update on the Christ Worshipper’s Gospel Choir
The most exciting news from the choir is that Ncifie, a totally blind choir member, gained a Teaching Diploma after studying at University! He is the first blind person to qualify as a teacher in his country!
This amazing achievement was enabled by the generosity of an Africa Equip supporter who covered Ncifie’s accommodation and food costs while he was at University.
In March he started his first teaching post at St Josephs school for the blind where he and most members of the Choir were educated.
Also Percy one of the older members of the Choir has been asked to be one of 4 blind people teaching Braille at the University.
The Choir were asked to sing at an Easter Celebration service held at the Somhlolo National Stadium in front of His Majesty King Mswati.
This they did in national costume and the photo shows some of the choir after the event.
On a sadder note, Ncobile, one of the female members of the Choir has recently suffered a stroke, initially affecting her speech and movement. She is now making progress but still has a way to go so please pray for her continued recovery.
Africa Equip thanks you for your continued support