Marie Cates Founder of A.V.S At the butchers . Scales and knives donated by british butchers via the charity. |
greet you with a hand shake. They are generally warm and generous to their visitors.
They have a simple hard working, but rewarding life. It's a privilege to able help them. There are three tribes in this area. Locally, the 'Bagisu' tribe dominate. 'Sabine' tend to live in the uplands of Mt Elgon and to the north the 'Karamajong', who are well known for stealing cattle and raiding this area until 10 years ago! They are not well liked!!
Senior members of Sanila Women's Group. Secretary Treasurer Chair person (I was put in the big 'chair!) On the table is soap, one of the products they make as a group. |
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Today I saw three Women's Groups, each learning from their mistakes and enjoying the strength of working together. I was touched each time they mentioned their children. The profit that the ladies in the group make goes towards items essential to their survival that we buy at home without a thought to their cost. Milk from the co, if they have one! Food to give them that one good meal of the day.Muyembe is increasing being effected by climate change. The area lies in the shadow of the Elgon mountains which spread over into Kenya. Floods are more common and again the grain harvest is only 50% of what was expected. The hard month, April, will be very hard this year.
People nearest to the road are the relatively richer inhabitants. As you going further from the road, living conditions deteriorate. People are forced to drink from unprotected bore holes and rivers. A women was murdered in domestic violence yesterday literally half a mile away from here!!
The largest nearby town is Mbale, about an hour away, with the capital Kampala being a decent days driving from there. I'm going tomorrow to a village 30km north of Muyembe, (in the direction of Sudan) where the climate is more arid. Uganda is located on the equator and is fascinating in the range of landscapes and climates.
Foot note:
African Village Support is on Facebook! Have a look and 'Like' the page!!
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