Project Africa

Project Africa . . . the story so far . . .

90 Berkshire Scouts and Leaders have recently completed the first phase of a successful
international community project in Uganda after spending 3- or 6-weeks working at two very
special schools during the summer of 2011. The Scouts also took part in a wide range of
activities and visits to help get to know the ‘Pearl of Africa’.

All 11 groups (average of 6 Scouts plus a group Leader) spent their first day in Uganda
at the Lweza Training & Conference Centre (LTCC) – located between Entebbe and
Kampala. This was an opportunity to rest and be briefed before moving to the first
of three bases.

3  Deaf schoolchildren at Kavule  /  4  Painting the exterior of a classroom at Kavule

Kavule School for the Deaf (near Mbale)

Berkshire Scouts had undertaken some basic training in signing (sign language for the
deaf) as well as trying to understand the challenges of being profoundly deaf . . .
an important aspect of working closely with the schoolchildren at Kavule. 

5  Delivery of a water tank to Kavule  /  6  Water tank in place to collect rainwater
7  Building a new staff washroom  /  8  New building alongside the original washroom

Work at Kavule included painting the interior and exterior of buildings; building a much
needed staff washroom with private rooms for male and female staff; and expanding
a rainwater harvesting scheme.

Berkshire Scouts also took the opportunity to spend time playing games and sports with
the schoolchildren. 

9  Activities with Uganda Scouts  /  10  Horse riding on the banks of the Nile
11  White water rafting on the Nile  /  12  Trekking in Mount Elgon National Park

Activities

Berkshire Scouts took a well-deserved break from project work to enjoy activities in
and around the Bukeka Scout Centre at Jinja. Activities included white water rafting
on the River Nile; horse riding; a forest walk; and visits to the source of the Nile;
local markets; workshops; villages; schools; and local Scout Groups. Many Scouts also
enjoyed a 5-day trek in the Mount Elgon National Park (spanning the borders of Uganda
& Kenya). 

13  The welcome from schoolchildren at Bukeka  /  14  Digging foundations
15 & 16  Moving tons of soil using hand tools only

Bukeka Children's Centre (near Mityana)

Bukeka was the base for the main construction work carried out by Berkshire Scouts in
Uganda. Construction included a large multi-purpose building (chicken coop; classroom;
and store); a school kitchen and dining area; as well as a new toilet block. The chicken
coop will enable the school to benefit from a sustainable project whereby eggs will be
used for food at the school and also sold at local markets to create an income stream
for the school.

17  Multi-purpose building (background) & kitchen  /  18  Building in progress
19  Manual handling roof trusses  /  20  Buildings near completion

At the end of week 6 the multi-purpose building was finished to being partly roofed
and the other buildings were complete to roof level. The local builders that worked
with Berkshire Scouts remained on site (funded by Project Africa) to complete all the
project work.

21 & 22  The completion of the multi-purpose building
23  Toilet block  /  24  Berkshire Scouts . . . part of the local community

Purchase of building materials and hire of builders to work with the Scouts were sourced
from local villages and trading posts to help support the local communities. This also
helped the Scouts to integrate with the local communities.

Project Africa Challenge Badge 

The Project Africa Challenge Badge, supported by the Global Awareness Prorgamme (GAP)
resources, has been successful in engaging Scouts from across Berkshire. The resources have
provided programmes to help young people get to know and experience what it is like to
be a young person in East Africa . . . and in Uganda in particular.

Scouts in Berkshire continue to use the programme and to also raise funds for Project Africa
. . . young people helping young people.

Want to support Project Africa?

The Project Africa JustGiving Page has been closed now that we have completed the first phase
of the project. However, we are continuing with our fundraising for other projects in Africa and
cheques (payable to 'Berkshire County Scout Council' with ‘PA’ on the reverse) can be sent to:
County Administrator
 (BSEL)
Gravelly Court, Gravelly Bridge Farm
Grazeley Green Road, Grazeley
Reading RG7 1LG
 
A new online donation page will be available soon with the details of the next phase of Project Africa.

Please click here to contact us and a member of the Project Africa Team will get back to you.