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/UK News Please check out the Fundraising Events to see if there are any that you can support Latest News from the UK March 2010 Gold Star award for Dolen Ffermio March 2010 ---- Results of Christmas Catalogue Sales From Miriam comes this message: “It’s such a good thing to hear that your gifts are many, given the current economic crisis. This contribution is still generous and kind of all the gift buyers. We shall always be very grateful for this kind and wonderful gesture of love. We will work to allow better lives to be realised by many of the families that will receive these various gifts.” (The latest report from Miriam on the progress of the Project, sent to us in February, is available by Clicking Here.) December 2009 -- Conferences at Llanfyllin High School - “THE REAL COST OF FOOD” by Emyr Owen
Some 75 delegates attended the Community Conference the following day, including farmers, representatives of farming organisations, local and county councillors, clergy, members of other Wales-Africa Link communities and supporters and members of Dolen Ffermio. The presentations were equally absorbing and discussions with the audience were very lively. The goat burgers served for lunch were much enjoyed as was the carol singing by members of Llanfyllin Young Farmers’ Club. Dolen Ffermio wishes to thank Llanfyllin High School for hosting the conferences and all who contributed to making them such a resounding success. Special thanks go to the Gold Star Communities Project for funding the attendance of the Ugandan speaker, Dr Jolly Kabirizi, who gave a fascinating insight into food production in Uganda. June 2009 ---- PROUD TO BE THE CHOSEN CHARITY OF THE NEW MAYOR OF LLANFYLLIN April 2009 Lorna Brown and Val Talbot will be in Uganda, together with member Carole Ashurst who is there to set up an exciting health and environmental project in the villages and to establish links with Kumi Hospital. For a report on this visit see under Events and Visits below. March 2009 Lorna Brown, Emyr Owen and Val and Dave Talbot went
to the Welsh Assembly debate recently on the future of the Wales for Africa programme (which funds the Gold
Star Communities Award scheme). Described by First Minister Rhodri Morgan, AM as “the best value programme
in this Assembly’s 10 year history”, it drew unstinting cross- party support with 11 Assembly Members contributing to the debate over a wide range of issues but with a common thread of pursuing high quality, mutually beneficial approaches to sustainable. The speakers took the opportunity to highlight the many different projects carried out by voluntary groups in their constituencies all over Africa. Mick Bates, AM for Montgomeryshire, was very positive about Dolen Ffermio and spoke in great detail about the Goat Improvement Project. He even mentioned Lorna Brown by name (much to her embarrassment and our delight). In his summing up, Rhodri Morgan singled out Mick’s contribution and thanked the “doers - who have really got involved,” ending with the unforgettable biblical paraphrase “Blessed be the goat breeders, blessed be the artificial inseminators,” etc. We had a good chat with Mick Bates afterwards who has promised his help so it was a very worthwhile (and enjoyable) day. February 2009 After the visiting Ugandan teachers had gone home, Jane Bentley (headteacher of Llanfechain Primary School, Gareth Hughes (headteacher of Llansanffraid Primary School and Barbara Maycock (head of sixth form at Llanfyllin High School) couldn’t wait to pay their return visit. They didn’t have long to wait as off they went in February, again funded by the UK’s Global Schools Partnership Scheme. They had a fantastic time over there, as can be seen from their personal accounts. See below. |
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TRIP TO UGANDA IN JUNE 2010 by Val Talbot This was a very successful trip in lots of ways. Barbara, Richard and I took two groups of people with us, none of whom had been to Uganda before. The first group consisted of three other teachers from Llanfyllin High School and the IT technician and, apart from some sightseeing at the Murchison Falls Game Reserve, they spent their time at Busoga High School and the two primary schools. Sue Hughes, Bethan Williams and Peter Jessop (Barbara’s replacement when she retires this summer) got together with their colleagues to write their subject submission to be included in the next application round for funding from the British Council. Matthew Edwards did a grand job repairing all the computers the 6th formers took out last October and installed the internet – I believe that Facebook now has a lot more customers, among staff in both schools as well as pupils! So, communications will be a lot easier from now on, which will be a huge advantage. Both groups spent a day at Busoga High School for the first of the ceremonies to celebrate the Gold Star Award. This was a truly wonderful occasion, with many local dignitaries present, including Bishop Cyprian Ramozwe, who started the Cattle Improvement Scheme off all those years ago. Each of the schools entertained us in turn, with songs they themselves had written for the occasion. Special praise and tributes were paid to Barbara and Moses Kitimbo for their hard work and dedication in establishing the partnership and making it such a great success. The second group was Hannah Jones, head of Geography at Newtown High School, Ed Howarth of the Gold Star programme, Richard and myself and we left for Kumi after the ceremony at Busoga High School. Hannah went to establish links between Newtown High School and Mukongoro High School and also between Penygloddfa Primary and Kumi Township Primary. Ed was there to support this partnership and also the extension of Cordelia’s photo diary project, as well as to observe a Wales-Africa community link group in action as part of his induction into his post on the Gold Star programme. We also fitted in four ceremonies for five communities out in the bush to celebrate the Gold Star Award. These were joyous occasions with much singing and dancing, many speeches and a great deal of gratitude expressed by the beneficiary families, committee members and local officials. Truly overwhelming. We managed to visit a number of beneficiary families in the villages, Moses Ekoi’s Goat Unit, Emmanuel’s tree planting project and members of the Mothers’ Union at Miriam and Emmanuel’s church to talk to them about the sewing machine project, which they have promised to explore to see if it would be a viable proposition. TRIP OF A LIFETIME FOR LLANFYLLIN HIGH SCHOOL SIXTH FORMERS - October 2009 by Kate Breeden
We left the High School at 3 am with the bus loaded with boxes full of second hand computers to give to the school. Kampala was a bit of an eye opener – it was like being in a completely different, somehow more old-fashioned world, with a few modern things thrown in. Our next stop was Jinja, the second largest city, and the source of the River Nile. As we explored, local children started following us, holding our hands and chatting to us. This was the first time we experienced the curiosity and friendliness of the children. They loved using our cameras to take pictures and to see pictures of themselves. Their huge wide grins were so infectious, though we could see how very poor they were. We managed to get in some very exciting white water rafting and swimming in the calmer stretches of the river before leaving the next day for Kamuli.
After saying our sad goodbyes, we set off to Murchison Falls National Park, a long journey but with so much to see – people going about their daily lives drying out beans on the ground, women planting crops and working the land by hand, children running alongside the bus shouting hello, waving and grinning at us. It was really colourful with the bright sun, blue sky, red roads and thick green vegetation. We stopped at the top of Murchison Falls, where the the Nile squeezes through a narrow 6 metre gap, then on to the safari where we saw giraffes, warthogs, baboons, gazelle, elephants and even a couple of lions under a tree. None of us wanted to leave Uganda when the time came. We sat on the bus at the airport asking to stay longer. It was such an amazing experience and we all had a fantastic time. I can definitely see why people go back again and again. The people we met were all so warm and friendly and it really struck me that, although most of them have hardly any possessions, they are still cheerful, welcoming and generous. I’d heard that said before, but it’s so true! Visit to Uganda by Lorna Brown, Val Talbot and Carol Ashurst in April 2009 Val Talbot and Lorna Brown went out to Uganda from 1 to 16 April. The main purpose of the visit for Lorna was to evaluate the existing Goat Units, for Val it was to observe and monitor the Kumi Orphan Project out in the communities. Carole Ashurst, was there at the time, exploring ways to encourage villagers to use fuel-efficient cooking stoves and also to set up links with Kumi Hospital. For a full report on their visit Click Here. The Return Visit of our Teacher Colleagues to Uganda in February 2009 After the visiting Ugandan teachers had gone home, Jane Bentley (headteacher of Llanfechain Primary School, Gareth Hughes (headteacher of Llansanffraid Primary School and Barbara Maycock (head of sixth form at Llanfyllin High School) couldn’t wait to pay their return visit. They didn’t have long to wait as off they went in February, again funded by the UK’s Global Schools Partnership Scheme. They had a fantastic time over there, as can be seen from their personal accounts. More............ |
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The following fundraising events are currently scheduled or have completed recently including one from one of our youngest supporters, Nieve Walling, who walked to the top of Snowdon, and also the effort of Lindsay Needham in the London Marathon. Well done to both of them. Starting August 16th 2010 Another Epic Bike Ride for Dolen Ffermio May 23rd and 28th to 31st (Bank Holiday Weekend) 2010 May 15th 2010 - Lorna's Plant Sale April 2010 Lindsay ran the London Marathon Congratulations and very well done to Lindsay for raising the grand total of £997, including gift aid. A remarkable achievement for just one fundraiser. FUNDRAISING UPDATE MARCH 2010 We have been very fortunate in the large number of groups, churches and schools who have helped us to raise funds in the past six months, as well as the individuals who have donated or contributed to the Christmas Catalogue. Apart from the funds, which are obviously very welcome and much needed, we are also greatly heartened by the expressions of support that come with them. We are also absolutely delighted with the response we have had from many primary and secondary schools especially when the two primary schools at Llansilin and Llanfair Caereinion made their own very moving and thoughtful presentations on our work before we gave a talk and showed a film there. Schools: Ysgol Bro Cynllaith (Llansilin), Ysgol Pennant (Penybontfawr), Ysgol Gynradd (Llanfair Caereinion), Maesbury (Oswestry), Llanfyllin High School, Learning Support Unit at Nottingham Bluecoat School We were honoured to be chosen by Councillor Lynnette Kretchmer as her Mayor’s charity which has resulted in generous collections from the Mayor’s Service in St Myllin’s and the traditional Christmas Eve Carols in the Square. The variety concert organised by Chas Nicholson in Llansilin in November was hugely enjoyable and, with grateful thanks to all those who performed for us and who came along, we raised over £1000 into the bargain. Our youngest fundraisers, Nieve and Eira, raised a staggering £700 and below, October 2009, is Nieve’s own account of their adventure. March 2010 ---- Results of Christmas Catalogue Sales From Miriam comes this message: “It’s such a good thing to hear that your gifts are many, given the current economic crisis. This contribution is still generous and kind of all the gift buyers. We shall always be very grateful for this kind and wonderful gesture of love. We will work to allow better lives to be realised by many of the families that will receive these various gifts.” (The latest report from Miriam on the progress of the Project sent to us in February is available by Clicking Here.) October 2009 TO THE TOP OF SNOWDON FOR KUMI ORPHANS by Nieve Walling (age 10) For details of previous fundraising events click below |
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Awareness raising/Links with other Groups December 11th Sixth Form Conference: following the highly successful conference 2 years ago we are holding another at Llanfyllin High School with the theme “The real cost of food”. Professor Gareth Edward-Jones of Bangor University has agreed to present a paper and we are trying to obtain funding from the Welsh Assembly to bring over Dr Jolly Kabirizi, an eminent agricultural development expert and forage scientist from Uganda. This might be a good opportunity to remind everyone that funding from the Welsh Assembly cannot go direct to the overseas country but has to benefit Wales in some way. October Barbara Maycock and Richard Jones are taking a group of Llanfyllin High School sixth formers to Uganda during October half term. September 5th Dolen Ffermio will be having a stall at the Llanfair Caereinion Show August 31st Dolen Ffermio will be having a stall at the Llanfechain Show August 15th Dolen Ffermio had a stall at the Llanfyllin Show at which, this year Lorna was the President, in recognition of her many years as a vet and the respect with which she is held in the local area. The Show itself was a great success, despite the weather, and we had a lot of visitors to our tent. Lorna had arranged for a group of Ugandan musicians (from London) to appear, and they were brilliant,and she took every opportunity to promote the work of Dolen Ffermio. August 1- 8 At the National Eisteddfod, Emyr Owen was asked to give a talk on Dolen Ffermio in the Welsh Assembly’s Wales for Africa tent, followed by another talk in the Oxfam Cymru tent, both of which were very well received. August Grandmothers United for ASAP (African Solutions for African Problems): Jane Ormsby Gore invited us to a fundraising event recently. This is a very worthwhile cause with similar aims and philosophy to the Kumi Orphan Project and we hope that we shall be able to support each other, if only in the UK. January 2009 Dolen Ffermio’s second objective is to raise awareness of world food and farming issues, especially relevant at the present time, with issues surrounding global food supply and the improved long-term prospects for young people in farming. We see this as an expanding part of our work, together with potential links with schools, young farmers clubs, farming organisations and other sections of our rural communities. The visit of our Ugandan partners was, of course, an invaluable opportunity to provide first-hand information about farming conditions and prospects in their part of the country, as well as the contribution which Dolen Ffermio is trying to make there. At other times, awareness raising takes place through our website, twice-yearly newsletters, other literature, displays in local libraries, talks to a wide variety of groups and we are grateful to our local press for their coverage. Events are a good way of reaching a wider audience and we particularly value the opportunity to have a presence at our local agricultural shows. In December 2007 we hosted a highly successful sixth form conference at Llanfyllin High School which we are repeating on 11 December 2009. |
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Annual Report 11/2009 Click Here |
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March 2010 Barbara Maycock, Jane Bentley and Gareth Hughes will be applying for the next round of funding from the UK government through the British Council in March. It will be for the same 3 schools as this year but they are hoping to bring on board another primary school both here and in Kamuli. We are also trying to establish links between schools in Newtown and Kumi. January 2009 Following the highly successful visit of the Ugandan teachers in November 2008 (details in Events, Visits section) Barbara Maycock, Jane Bentley and Gareth Hughes made their return visit to Uganda during February half term, 2009. They were be funded by the UK’s Department for International Development through the British Council, as were the Ugandan teachers. |
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December 2008 Through the Dolen Ffermio organisation, the Kumi Orphans Project has enjoyed strong links with the Llanfyllin area and its trustees clubbed together to to bring over Emmanuel's wife, and fellow Kumi Project founder, Miriam for the opportunity to have them both together for this historic visit. The Welsh assembly had funded flights for Emmanuel to come over and work with Cordelia Weedon, a professional photographer from Llanfyllin, on a photo diary project. (See Gold Star Communities Project) Thanks to Arts Connection, Llanfechain and Llansantffraid Schools were able to work with Emmanuel and Cordelia to create photo diaries about Wales for the Ugandan teachers to take back to their schools. Miriam visited a number of schools in the area, talking to pupils about life in Uganda and the Orphans Project and also joining her colleagues on a number of visits to farms, meetings with farming groups, Churches, the business community and even a meeting with our MP, Lembit Opik. |
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Gold Star Communities Projects June 5 -13 2010 Photo Diaries Exhibition Cordelia is mounting an exhibition of the Kumi photo diaries in the Llanfyllin Workhouse Gallery from 5 to 13 June. These give a fascinating insight into the lives and experiences of Ugandan young people and well worth viewing. They will also be displayed at the First Editions Bookshop in Beatrice Street, Oswestry from 2 to 29 November Autumn 2009 Cordelia Weedon will be going on her return trip to Uganda this autumn, thanks to the Welsh Assembly’s Gold Star Awards scheme. March 2009 Congratulations to Cordelia Weedon and Emmanuel Maraka for being awarded £2,400 as a second grant from the Wales-Africa Gold Star Communities Award scheme to extend the photo–diary project with young people in Montgomeryshire and Kumi District |
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We were awarded registered charity status in May 2008 and we are proud to have the Charity Commission’s official stamp of approval. We feel that it gives us extra status and credibility, especially for people who don’t know us personally and, of course, it gives us the potential of a big boost in our funds through the Gift Aid scheme |
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This section contains copies of all newsletters produced by the group. By clicking on them you will be able to see them and print out a copy if you wish. (This uses Adobe Reader).
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An audience of 150 students and staff from Llanfyllin and Newtown High Schools, North Shropshire Further Education College and Harper Adams University College attended the 6th Form Conference on 11th December. The speakers kept the audience fully engaged for the whole morning. During the afternoon students attended workshops on the different themes and reported back to the final plenary session of the conference. 
Through Mrs Maycock’s involvement with Dolen Ffermio, Llanfyllin High School has a link with Busoga High School in Uganda. When she decided to organise a trip there, I, and 13 other sixth form pupils, jumped at the chance to go. Over last October’s half term holiday, we spent 10 days in Uganda seeing the country, visiting schools, going on safari and even doing a bit of white water rafting. It was an absolutely amazing experience. 
When we arrived at Busoga High School, the students all gathered round to meet us, as well as groups of children from the surrounding primary schools. We shook hands and chatted to the students about music, family, religion – they couldn’t understand how some us could not be religious. We helped to set up the computers and got them all working, apart from one. We spent three days in the schools, meeting the pupils, having tours, joining in with lessons – and being treated to spectacular welcomes wherever we went. The children were inspirational – full of energy, chatty and cheerful. They consider education as extremely important and work hard.