Ugandan Drums Beat in the Guildhall

Published on: 26 May, 2012
Updated on: 26 May, 2012

Ugandan Drums played by representatives of the Mukono Link

Ugandan drums resounded in the Guildhall at the recent annual general meeting of the Guildford Mukono Link.

Susan Wamala, Head of the Mukono Boarding School and two of her staff, Moses and Cynthia – Ruth Ruth gave an impromptu performance as members and guests of the charity arrived. After a welcome from the Mayor of Guildford, Jennifer Jordan, the AGM agenda was swiftly dealt with.

A speech by the chair, Tamsy Baker, highlighted the problem of the number of children in Mukonu whose parents can’t afford to pay for school lunches. Solving this problem will be a main project the coming years’ activity.

Siusan Wamala tells of the impact of the Mukono Link

The guests were then invited to speak. Susan Wamala explained how the friendship, financial and physical support of the Mukono Link had changed her primary school. The numbers had trebled partly because funding for the building of a new dormitory had been provided.

Susan explained that because the children often walk several kilometres to school and back, boarding is a much safer way to attend school, and improves the children’s quality of life enormously.

Mukono Boarding School is linked with Worplesdon Primary School, and the Head, Alistair Parsons explained how the link had benefited his school, and how much the link was enjoyed by the whole school.

Alison Hall, the inspirational founder of Seeds for Development, explained her new project to support farmers in northern Uganda to grow coffee. It has been very successful so far, and we all look forward to being able to buy and drink Fairtrade coffee grown by farmers with support from this country.

In particular, the student society from the University of Surrey – SIFE – Students In Free Enterprise – were represented and spoke of their project which they initiated in Mukono in 2011-12. SIFE has helped to draw together a sustainable business plan involving local farmers and families to make and sell banana chips.

Guildford's Mayor Jennifer Jordanwith Susan Wamala

Other students represented from the university have carried out volunteering work in Mukono through the Global Handprints, the not-for-profit organisation that works with the Link to support independent volunteers. One student raised enough funding to buy three cows to help supplement the diet of school children with additional milk!

One of the drums was auctioned – and is now being used by a local disabled charity Teddies for Tragedies!