Inspired by the pioneering efforts of our Ugandan partners to combat these effects and recognising the contribution made by our lifestyles in the UK, we joined forces with them a few years ago. It all started with a visit here by 6 environmentally active Ugandans, which led directly to clean energy and agro-forestry projects in both Kamuli and Ngora.
The new Solar Power Installation in Ngora, part-funded by the Wales Africa Community Links (WACL) programme, is a real asset to all our projects. There is no grid electricity in Ngora so life at the Goat Unit has been transformed for lighting, livestock laboratory work, water pumping and internet connection. It is great for all the training that takes place there and we couldn’t have contemplated our music recording project without it. But the benefits are not only practical – it also powers a donated projector so Ngora now has its own “cinema” and people come from far and wide for the only entertainment of this sort in the area (see picture below).
A very generous donation has bought workshop premises and a grant from Hub Cymru Africa has assisted in the process of getting the factory fully functioning. We are currently raising funds to equip it and bring it up to the required standard. The young people trained are raring to go and we are confident this is going to be a most successful social enterprise, with profits being invested back into the community. It is a real win-win situation for the environment as well as employment prospects in Ngora; both for the young people trained and the people who buy the panels; assisting in opening up opportunities for enterprises. Buying the panels, which will cost less than two-thirds that of imported panels can be facilitated by micro-credit schemes or barter of livestock or crops.