Umoja International: Past, Present and Future.

Hi, let me introduce myself. My name is Jamie Kopp and currently i am living in Western Uganda to support Umoja's International projects. Umoja Operation Compassion Society is a non-profit organization founded in 2002 to help integrate newcomer immigrants and refugees into Canadian society, ensuring they are given the necessary life skills in order to thrive in their new social environment. In addition to the programs that take place in Surrey, British Columbia, Umoja has developed and completed international projects in Uganda, Africa. 

In 2007 Umoja’s Executive Director travelled to Kasese, Uganda to start Rwentutu Christian primary School on the land owned by her family.  20 acres of land was donated to accommodate this project. As the school continued to grow and develop out of donated funds, a women’s group (comprised mainly of school attendees’ mothers) was started.  Umoja set aside funds to lend to the women so they could start their own small business, allowing them to make the necessary amount of money to increase their standard of living and pay for their children’s school fees.  The women’s group began with 10 women, and in following the microfinance principle (although we did not charge interest) the group quickly grew from 10 members in 2007 to 37 members in 2010. As this project evolved, the women were asked to repay the small loans given to them over three years.  The money they brought back was used to complete part of the medical clinic which is located beside the primary school and when this was announced to the community, they were over joyed to see that they too made a contribution to the clinic which is now serving their children and their community. We have now seen and realized the incredible need for these women to receive training in basic math, accounting, budgeting, saving, health care, and skills development.

Currently at the primary school we have about 56 children who board. They are provided with 3 meals a day and are housed in a dormitory with girls living on one side, and boys on the other side. The rooms are lit by solar panels and piped water is on the school grounds. We do provide the children with meals, yet at this point they have no decent eating area in which to go.  Overall the elementary school has evolved from Kindergarten to Grade 7, starting with 90 kids in 2007 and now reaching 250 children to date.  

Now that you understand where the projects have come from i'll let you know where the projects are going! The women's group has been continuing to grow and part of the work I am doing here is to help expand the women's businesses by way of crafts. These women are EXTREMELY talented and their ability to create has been so inspiring to me. The women have already begun working on weaving baskets, making jewelry, sewing bags, carving, etc. in hopes to sell their handmade items locally but also in Canada! Just a heads up, some amazing items will soon be made available for purchase, so leave some room in your budget :)

At this point the Primary School is finishing off the year, children are preparing for exams and getting reading for the grade 7 graduation ceremony! Our hope is that that one day the children will continue on in their education at Rwentutu Secondary School, which at this point is still a dream, until funding becomes available. Even still, things are on the move and at the end of this month the school medical clinic will host it's first (of many) community health education day, inviting the surrounding community for HIV testing and awareness.

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THANK YOU

If you are interested in learning more about Umoja Operation Compassion Society please visit our website at: www.umojaoperation.ca or email: info@umojaoperation.ca

For inquiries related to international projects please email: jamie4others@gmail.com