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This site contains a selection of the latest news produced by Phil Dowding PR on behalf of its clients. Editors... if you would like more information on any story or a high resolution image (or alternative images), please call Phil Dowding on (01202) 697201.

Wednesday 6 January 2021

Slum nutrition boost with Christmas treat



NAMATALA SLUM, UGANDA: Covid put paid to the usual Christmas party for Child of Hope's slum pupils' families hosted at its school – with its special meal of meat, rice and vegetables – but this year about 600 families still enjoyed a celebratory meal at home.  

Supporters’ response to the UK charity's second Covid-19 appeal mans it can continue to provide families with food (traditional posh and beans) and other essentials to ensure they have food every day. 

https://www.childofhopeuganda.org/news/christmas-treat

Wednesday 30 December 2020

New video: How our pupils live during Covid-19

In this new, short video, pupils from Child of Hope’s primary/nursery school in Uganda tell us what life is like in the Namatala slum during Covid-19. 

https://www.childofhopeuganda.org/news/video-during-covid


Wednesday 25 November 2020

Overcoming disability for slum mum and her business







Namatala slum, Uganda: Jennifer – a single disabled mum who has been part of Child of Hope's income-generating scheme for over three years – is a resilient lady now able to sustain herself and her daughter with the help of her business. It has enabled her move to from a semi-permanent to a permanent house.

https://www.childofhopeuganda.org/news/overcoming-adversity

Monday 23 November 2020

Kitchen move










At Child of Hope's slum primary school in Uganda, Rose transferred to kitchen work at the beginning of this year and is now one of four cooks at Child of Hope.

Her day can begin as early as 6am and continues until 5pm. Rose usually collects firewood from the store each morning and lights a fire over which the meals are prepared. She also helps fetch water from the well and washing kitchen utensils.

https://childofhopeuganda.org/news/kitchen

Monday 9 November 2020

Groveley renews SC21 silver for eight years

Groveley’s SC21 Silver accreditation has been renewed for the eighth year running – with 100% delivery on time in full & 99.94% quality rating.

Supply Chains for the 21st Century (SC21) is an improvement programme designed to accelerate the competitiveness of the Aerospace and Defence industry by raising the performance of its supply chains.

The award recognises Groveley’s internal process excellence, quality and on-time delivery to all customers not just the aerospace and defence industries – all independently-ratified. Our current 100% delivery on time in full and quality rating offers a huge advantage for our customers.

Read more...

Tuesday 27 October 2020

Child of Hope's solar-powered water










[NAMATALA SLUM, EASTERN UGANDA] Our nursery/primary school can now generate its own water, sufficient for all our needs, without depending on intermittent local water supply or manually drawing it from the well.  Water is now drawn from the well by a solar powered pump, thanks to the two local engineers responsible for the project and a generous grant from a UK trust.

https://www.childofhopeuganda.org/news/solar-powered-water

Wednesday 21 October 2020

Child of Hope's slum schools: Serious study resumes as lockdown relaxes a little



EASTERN UGANDA: In the Namatala and Namabasa slums, exam classes are resuming serious study for their respective exams at both the primary and secondary schools.  The mood in both schools is positive as everyone is pleased to get back to teaching and learning. 

https://www.childofhopeuganda.org/news/serious-study-resumes

Tuesday 13 October 2020

Child of Hope: Business advice… under the tree



In Namatala slum, Uganda, our Income Generating Activities social workers continue to support mothers with their businesses during this difficult time – which during Covid often means outdoors under a tree for shade...

https://www.childofhopeuganda.org/news/business-advice-under-tree

Monday 12 October 2020

Groveley Precision Engineering: AS9100 renewed for second year



[CHRISTCHURCH, DORSET] Groveley renews global aerospace standard AS9100 Rev D / ISO 9001 2015 for the second year – with zero non-conformances...

https://www.groveley.co.uk/2020/10/12/as9100-renewed-for-second-year/

Thursday 8 October 2020

Child of Hope's partial return to school



NAMATALA SLUM, UGANDA: From October 15 the Ugandan Government is allowing pupils in candidate classes (Primary 7 and Secondary 4) to return to school. This is an emergency meeting our Primary headteacher held with her teachers to plan a safe learning environment for those children in Primary 7. 

https://www.childofhopeuganda.org/news/partial-return-school

Monday 28 September 2020

Keith's marathon



HAMPSHIRE & DORSET, UK: Running his first full marathon to raise funds for Child of Hope – Keith Francis is joining in the Virgin Money London Marathon this Sunday, October 4!

https://www.childofhopeuganda.org/news/keiths-marathon-1

Thursday 24 September 2020

New secondary head teacher



NAMABASA, UGANDA: Bernard Wandera was selected as head teacher for Child of Hope's all-new Gill Sherlock Secondary School (free for slum kids) because of the quality of his leadership skills. 

He has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, majoring in economics, and has teaching experience in various schools in and around Mbale. As well as good knowledge of the Ugandan education sector, his involvement in local politics gives him links to local government officials.  

Bernard, who lives close to our primary school in Namatala, has also been Chair of our school management committee. He is committed to providing effective and efficient service delivery in the secondary school to ensure good achievement of pupils. 

https://www.childofhopeuganda.org/news/introducing-our-secondary-head-teacher

Monday 21 September 2020

Child of Hope: candidate classes reopening in October










NAMATALA SLUM, UGANDA: These girls from our Gill Sherlock Secondary School picked up their new green and orange uniforms from our tailors at the start of the year, but had only weeks to use them before schools were ordered to close in the general Coronavirus lockdown. Now they are keen to get back to their education. 

As with all schools in Uganda, our two schools closed early in Covid-19 - now we’ve heard that just the two candidate classes (Primary 7 and Secondary 4) will be allowed to re-open on Oct 15. We have purchased temperature guns, we are fitting foot-operated wash stations, we’ve made face masks… and our staff are ready. We’re not sure yet when the rest of our classes can return.

https://www.childofhopeuganda.org/news/candidate-classes-reopening-october

Tuesday 15 September 2020

Wave x2



JED Art, Dorset: Two of my wave paintings – first one acrylic, second one in oil, both big 36″ by 36” – gone to London and Bridport, both new owners very happy. https://jedart.co.uk/galleries/abstract-paintings/















Monday 7 September 2020

Keeping busy to feed the family




[NAMATALA SLUM, UGANDA]  Mario, father to one of THE Child of Hope pupils, has been making chicken cages like the one pictured here, as well as mouse traps and metallic chains. By selling these he has been able to secure a small income to help support his family.  

He recently secured a job as a night guard with Child of Hope, ensuring a monthly salary, and he continues making and selling wire products during the day to supplement his salary.