The Africa Trust was founded by AquAid to achieve sustainable solutions to poverty. Every time you order a water cooler or water from AquAid a percentage of the revenue is donated to The Africa Trust.
Partnership with Dorcas Aid International in Mozambique
A request was received from Dorcas Aid Mozambique for assistance with their rural clean water supply projects near Beira. They are well aware of the success of the Elephant Pump programme in Zimbabwe and Malawi and have asked whether The Africa Trust could work with them to introduce a similar programme in Mozambique. Agreement has now been reached in principle, and details of the partnership are being worked out prior to surveys and preparatory work which will start next month.
The installation of quite a number of Elephant Pumps in Mozambique will be paid for through the contributions from users of AquAid water coolers. Funding from Dorcas Aid, will allow for their staff to be trained so that they are able to start installing Elephant Pumps themselves in areas where this technology is suitable. This will mean that the funding they now commit each year for rural water supply will reach many more people and that the cost of maintaining the programme will be massively reduced. The first pumps will be installed early next year as there is first need for baseline surveys and well digging work which may be delayed by rain. There are also plans for collaboration in other projects such as the introduction of business skills training courses and income generation projects for orphanages, schools and clinics.
Tanzania Pipeline
Survey work has now commenced for a water pipeline near Arusha in Tanzania which will bring clean water to thousands of villagers. The Chief Executive of The Africa Trust will visit the site next month, to approve the surveyed route so that digging of the trench by the local community can commence. Contributions from AquAid water coolers will pay only for the pipes and other fittings, as the labour will be provided by the local community. It is vital that the pipeline is laid on a gradual downward gradient to avoid air locks or the need for a diesel pump. The topography of the area means that the trench will therefore need to be dug several metres deep in sections which will all be done by the community who expect to benefit from the project. The Africa Trust will also assist the community in setting up a development fund using contributions from families who will be saving a significant amount due to their reduced monthly expenditure on water. A maintenance fund will also be established, so that the benefits can be sustained for generations to come.
Focus on Uganda
The Africa Trust’s business skills training programme in Uganda is doing well and has been expanded. In addition to the team leader (Livingstone Mukasa) three more people are now being funded to teach business skills in poor communities. They are: Phillip Mwanja, Betty Owomugisha and Sarah Nantongo. The Africa Trust was able to assist with a loan of six thousand pounds for Najja Modern Primary School to expand and move to a new campus. Here is a photo of assembly at the new campus.
A survey has just been completed to review the efficiency of the business skills training (funded by AquAid and PrintLife) which was done in April and May this year. A total of 252 people were trained and a sample of 51 people was interviewed. From the survey, it was discovered that: 13 people were able to start businesses after attending the training, 26 people now run their businesses better after attending the training, 9 people feel able to start up business but are still limited by the lack of initial capital and 3 people are still planning and mobilizing resources to start business. 40 more people are now being employed (as a result of the businesses created after the training) in addition to the 74 people who were previously employed before the training (see the details in the table below).
| VENUE | SAMPLE | ATTENDED | EMPLOYED BEFORE | EMPLOYED AFTER |
| KIREKA | 7 | 9 | 3 | 5 |
| KATALEMWA | 5 | 8 | – | – |
| KOMAMBOGA | 8 | 45 | 25 | 29 |
| BAKKA | 5 | 128 | – | 6 |
| OFFICE | 3 | 20 | 28 | 42 |
| KIRINYA | 23 | 42 | 18 | 32 |
| TOTAL | 51 | 252 | 74 | 11 |
Please click on the link below to read up on some of the sucess stories that show how this training can be transformational.Some of the challenges faced by those who were trained include: lack of access to capital and exorbitant rates of interest on loans, high inflation and personnel problems. On the whole, it can be seen that those who attended the training have demonstrated: an improved ability to save, the courage to start a new business, improved record keeping and financial discipline (especially with regards to separation of personal needs from business finance) and better planning.
Please click on the link below to read up on some of the sucess stories that show how this training can be transformational.
