Amigos

Phil Pugsley. Address: Amigos, PO Box 314, Pilton, Barnstaple, EX32 2EN. Telephone: (01271) 377664 Email: info@amigos.org.uk. Website: http://www.amigos.org.uk/.

Phil Pugsley.

Child Sponsorship

At present Amigos educates over 200 children in its child sponsorship programme. It has been developed on the ground, by the Ugandan people it’s designed to benefit. That has meant addressing cultural issues sensitively – and giving without causing divisions within communities and families. Amigos sees its role as a support, rather than replace the role of the immediate family or guardian - contributing in a targeted way to the cost of education, school meals, uniforms and basics like school stationery for example. At the moment Amigos’ efforts are focussed on the North of Uganda, where the devastating impact of the Lord’s Resistance Army activities has been at their worst. £14 per month gives a primary child an education and £16 a month a secondary student.

Kira Farm Training Centre

Amigos’ Kira Farm Training Centre is a unique opportunity for many of Uganda’s most vulnerable young people to gain skills in an inventive and creative residential 22.5 acre environment. Uganda is one of the fastest growing and youngest populations on earth with around 80% of the population relying on substance farming. Kira offers hope to young people, giving hands-on skills in a variety of practical training especially when there is little hope of any secondary education. Kira Farm is based on the “teach a man to fish” philosophy. With short and long term training modulus and a small team of dedicated ‘handpicked’ instructors, it’s Amigos’ belief that they can make a lasting change that will permeate throughout society. It is hoped that each student will embrace a good moral code and work ethic for living in Ugandan society with self-reliance, bringing positive change as the next generation of mothers and fathers. Teaching will centre on ‘doable’ village style models that will incorporate many life skills. The main thrust of teaching will be ‘in the field’ with pioneering crop growing methods always at the centre of our programme. Chickens, Fish, Rabbits, Pigs and Bee farming as small rural projects will be taught next to Home Economics, Health, Hygiene and First-Aid alongside basic Maths and English. Kira Farm is also home to an innovative Bio-sand water purification project that students will be given opportunity to learn and take advantage of as they return home. Each student will be given the chance to gain tools/seeds on completion of their vocational training, to start work immediately when they go back to their various communities. Amigos’ believe that Kira Farm students can become a catalyst for change as they demonstrate honesty, fidelity and integrity, coupled with a good work ethic.