Projects
Stitches
In 2007 “STITCHES” sewing school was started with a pilot project of enthusiastic students from the TEAMS on site adult literacy classes.
Now in its 8th year the 2 year part time course includes practical and theory with further English and Health related lessons.
There are very few opportunities for women to learn a skill in Northern Uganda and they are frequently undervalued. We offer a chance for many to gain a life skill but also aim to build self-esteem.
Most students who enter “STITCHES” are drawn from the literacy programme thereby ensuring that our projects adopt an integrated approach to development. Some exceptions have been made, 2 prison wardens from Gulu woman’s prison were added to our student list, the Prison Governor giving them time off to learn this skill to then share with the prisoners and we also have a few young teenage mothers who cannot return to school.
Now in its 8th year the 2 year part time course includes practical and theory with further English and Health related lessons. For 3 years students have sat Uganda’s National Department of Industrial Training exams and we have had some great results.
Due to the highest ever number of students enrolling in 2019 (over 40 1st years and 25 second years) we recruited an assistant teacher for JB - Christine Akot. She is great with students and takes the theory lessons which complements JB's practical flair very well.
Most students who enter “STITCHES” are drawn from the literacy programme thereby ensuring that our projects adopt an integrated approach to development. Some exceptions have been made, 2 prison wardens from Gulu woman’s prison were added to our student list, the Prison Governor giving them time off to learn this skill to then share with the prisoners and we also have a few young teenage mothers who cannot return to school.
Now in its 8th year the 2 year part time course includes practical and theory with further English and Health related lessons. For 3 years students have sat Uganda’s National Department of Industrial Training exams and we have had some great results.
Due to the highest ever number of students enrolling in 2019 (over 40 1st years and 25 second years) we recruited an assistant teacher for JB - Christine Akot. She is great with students and takes the theory lessons which complements JB's practical flair very well.
The school was started with enthusiastic students from the TEAMS on site adult literacy classes.
2020 was a very frustrating and unprecedented year. The Ugandan Government closed all schools at the end of March last year and we were only allowed to reopen in mid November. Only 2nd year (examination students) were able to return and we still do not know when the first years will be permitted to restart. We naturally want to stay safe, but equally we want to continue to provide these life-skills to our students. There is no furlough scheme in Uganda, so to support our staff we have been paying them throughout the closure. With income and fund raising halted, our reserves are dangerously low. We need your help now more than ever. Please do consider making a donation on a regular basis to support us. Just £10 a month with Gift Aid (if you are a UK tax payer) will make a great difference to our costs. The Sewing school will have cost us almost £2,000 during closure and we haven't been able to teach!
Are you willing to help us?
Are you willing to help us?
Please make a donation via our Get Involved page.
Micro Finance Club
In an environment where people are desperately short of money and where banks charge extortionate rates of interest TEAMS MFC has been set up to make small loans at much lower fair rates of interest. We aim to help serve the community and once it has been decided a person can afford to borrow they join The Club. It is very important to us that they will be able to eat and pay rent as well as pay back the loan so we happily offer financial advice and guidance where needed.
Once we reach our optimum size, we hope that surplus income can be used by TEAMS to assist with salaries and other running costs.
People borrow money for a variety of purposes from starting small businesses to paying school fees – although education is officially free in practice it is not as every child has to contribute towards the schools list of expenses. We have also helped people meet unforeseen medical expenses.
Our membership continues to grow with over 50 members for 2015. Our activities are only limited by the amount of loan capital we have available for this programme. Since 2010, our initial Loan capital of 9,350,000/= (about £2,000 in today’s money) has grown to 20,000,000/= (c £5,000) so not only are we providing a valuable service based on Christian ethics we are also generating a useful source of income for TEAMS.
Once we reach our optimum size, we hope that surplus income can be used by TEAMS to assist with salaries and other running costs.
Our membership continues to grow with over 50 members for 2015. Our activities are only limited by the amount of loan capital we have available for this programme. Since 2010, our initial Loan capital of 9,350,000/= (about £2,000 in today’s money) has grown to 20,000,000/= (c £5,000) so not only are we providing a valuable service based on Christian ethics we are also generating a useful source of income for TEAMS.
Once we reach our optimum size, we hope that surplus income can be used by TEAMS to assist with salaries and other running costs.
Our membership continues to grow with over 50 members for 2015.
Do you have some spare cash that you could loan to us, interest free, for a year or more for this purpose? We can use it to help those people who cannot borrow money commercially and generate a income for TEAMS. Please do let us know. With UK interest rates being so low at the moment, this loan to TEAMS will not cost much in lost income to you!