Running the distance
This coming September, I will be attempting to run 125km in 24 hours. And yes, you did read that correctly!
Why, I hear you ask?
The first reason is to be part of a collective aim to raise £10,000 towards our work with children on the streets of Jinja. My 125km run will be part of our Step-up for S.A.L.V.E. initiative that invites people to take on their own challenges throughout the month of September to help us reach this team goal.
The second reason is so that I can help raise awareness of the challenges that young people face on the streets. 125km is the distance between the Ugandan capital, Kampala, and our residential site in Jinja. So many young people make this journey on foot as they search for a better life.
The reality is that life on the streets is dangerous, exhausting and scary – things that my run may be too! But I know that my run, however tough, will be nothing compared to spending even one night on the street.
I would love for you to take on your own challenge for street connected children this September. You can find out more by visiting our website. You can do anything from a bake sale to a bike ride. All that we ask is that you do it for street connected young people during the month of September.
The young people we support in Uganda will also be fundraising by doing a non-stop-aerobics workout. If you feel inspired to help, please sponsor them! You can see all of the wonderful challenges that people are undertaking so far by visiting our Total Giving page here.
Tailoring success
July was a fantastic month for S.A.L.V.E. as we saw the first 17 students from our Tailoring Training programme graduate with flying colours. This is a new programme that was designed based on feedback from the young people we work with.
The programme offers tailoring skills training at our Residential Rehabilitation site for street connected young people who are either undergoing rehabilitation with us before being resettled to their families, or who we have previously resettled and live locally.
The course includes modules in pattern drafting, garment construction and fabric identification. Due to the small size classes we are running, the young people are able to complete the course in a much shorter time than they would need if they were to join a formal vocational training centre programme made up of large class numbers.
Last week, we held a graduation ceremony which was more like a fashion show due to the amazing creations on display!
Through this initiative, funded by charity partner Help Change Lives, over the course of 12 months, we will train 40 young people in tailoring, giving them the skills and knowledge they need to work as tailors and a start-up package including a sewing machine and basic materials so that they can start their own small business.
We hope that this programme will become a core part of our Rehabilitation programme going forward, enabling us to create a generation of S.A.L.V.E. tailors with brighter futures ahead of them.
Latest S.A.L.V.E. news
📈 We are looking for a new Treasurer to join our UK Board of Trustees. This is a voluntary role which will make a huge difference to the work of S.A.LV.E. The closing date is 5th August. If you are interested in applying please visit our website to find out more.
🏫 We recently welcomed visitors from the John Kyrle High School to our residential site. The UK students bought some wonderful donations and spent time playing games and doing crafts with the young people staying at our site. Lots of fun was had by all.
🎉 In July, we were part of the Jinja City International Day of the African Child Commemoration celebrations. It was a brilliant event highlighting the importance of education for all children. One of the girls that we support had the opportunity to address the crowd to talk about her experience of being on the streets and accessing school. We are so proud of her!
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