What is it?
A new charity
to link the people of Harpenden with communities in sub-Saharan Africa primarily
to support local initiatives to alleviate poverty.
What
have we done?
HSOA
has raised the necessary funding for the continued running of new school in
a slum near Mbale in Uganda since April 2007 by paying for the teachers and
other staff salaries, and also the administrative costs of the school including
food, educational materials, cleaning, transport and stationary.
A link has been developed between this school and St Nicholas School in Harpenden.
Further links with Harpenden schools are being developed.
We have made Harpenden Town Council aware of the charity to the extent that
the council has appointed a representative for HSOA. Councillor Bert Pawle,
until recently Mayor of St Albans District, is invited to all monthly Management
Committee meetings. Many other businesses and organizations in the town are
also becoming very supportive of HSOA.
What
are we doing?
We are
continuing to fund the costs of support and continued maintenance of the school.
Due to a very generous contribution from a local Trust we believe we are now
financially able to have proper buildings constructed for the school which
has none suitable at the moment. Sufficient land has been purchased, a builder
selected, and once the Land Title documents are issued building will commence
Investigation is taking place to how the school can be sustained at a future
date by the people of the village, or by Uganda.
At
the same time, because we recognize the need for more volunteers to work for
HSOA in order that better and quicker results can be achieved.
What
are we going to do?
We shall
be concentrating on our current activities and further developing local interest
for other links between Harpenden and some of the many impoverished communities
in sub Saharan Africa, by listening to their priorities, and by increasing
cooperation, friendship and community spirit within Harpenden individuals,
schools, businesses and other organizations.