A family get together

This week saw the first S.A.L.V.E. conference held at our home in Bugembe. At S.A.L.V.E. we like to see ourselves as one big family, so the conference was a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other better and to really understand the effects the work of S.A.L.V.E. is having on our community groups. Of course, in true Ugandan style, no gathering is complete without a feast!

“Now my children can attend school”

The day kicked off with a speech from Lazi, the group leader for our paper making project in Kakira. Lazi explained how S.A.L.V.E. has turned her life around. Before S.A.L.V.E she was unable to read or write but now she is learning fast how to do both these things.

Lazi thanked S.A.L.V.E. for organising the conference saying it unites all the people working for S.A.L.V.E. and was a great opportunity to learn more about the organisation that has changed her life so much. Lazi explained that before the paper project began her and all the other women that are part of the project were very poor but now they are managing to earn a living. They are able to afford to buy their basic needs and even to take their children to school.

“We’ve all named our children after S.A.L.V.E.”

A second speech from Peruth, the group leader at our Mafubira bead making project confirmed all the great things Lazi had said.

Peruth also explained how Juliet and the other S.A.L.V.E. staff have taught her to speak good English and how to write. She has even learnt how to tell the time and how to count money. Peruth went on to explain how the project has built up the self confidence of all the group members so much and now all the women believe in themselves and believe that they have the ability to succeed.

In fact, she even joked that the ladies at the bead making project are so grateful to the support that S.A.L.V.E.  has given them that they have all named their children who were born during the life of the project SALVE so that they will always be reminded of the great help we gave them.

The day was a great chance for us to see just how much the lives of these ladies have changed since joining us. It really shows just what a difference community projects such as these can make. The success of these projects is made possible by all our supporters for purchasing the lovely jewellery and cards from our online shop.

 “A big Thank You”

The day concluded with a big thank you to Juliet, our community social worker for all her hard work she has put in during her time with S.A.L.V.E. Sadly Juliet is no longer working with us. She will be greatly missed by the whole team, particularly the ladies in Kakira and Mafubira, whose lives she has changed so much!