Scarves for the Widows Co-operative Koutulai, Uganda

ICE/EFOD site visit to Uganda January/February 2011

Nothing prepared me for the welcome we received when we visited Koutulai. We were swamped by grinning women ululating their greetings to us on the opening day for the mill centre. Aside from the provision of key infrastructure that improved the quality of these people’s lives, the profound change in attitude to the group of widows and orphans was immense. In this type of community I was told that widows and orphans are seen very much as a burden on any village since they require support and have little means to make a contribution. Not so the Widows Co-operative at Koutulai! The charities SaltPeter Trust and the Engineers for Overseas Development (EFOD) †, recognised a need and decided to invest by providing a grinding mill which the women use to cater to their own needs. It also enables them to grind a little extra which they can sell on for a small profit. This is appreciated by the local villagers. In addition a borehole has been sunk and the whole village enjoys the benefit of this local free water supply, essential to healthy living. When visiting I was also shown the new latrine block that uses Ecosan lavatories which separates the solids for the waste, using solar cells to dry the material creating a safe compost.  This can then be used for the crops such as cassava and maize which is subsequently ground in the mill. How’s that for sustainable living!!

I was given the opportunity to say a few words during the prayers and speeches and told the group of how you were interested in their work and had given me gifts to pass on to them on your behalf. Many of their gifts have been practical and of course very necessary but they so appreciated the scarves you so kindly donated (as you will see in the photographs). Amongst much singing and dancing (when we joined in it turned into a real party with a swing!!) they accepted the gifts and asked me to say a very big thank you to you in return.

Sally Sudworth (Chair ICE Wales Cymru)

February 2011

† EFOD started as an ICE charity organisation and due to its success is now a charity in its own right with several practicing groups of engineers around the UK. It allows young engineers to become involved in the design and construction of international aid projects. Please contact Sally if you want to find out more or visit this email address.