It was the local gala day at the weekend, so of course, the heavens opened.
There’s so much effort put into organising this event, from stalls to children’s races and the dog show. My other half and I thought the least we could do was stick the waterproofs and smiles on and pop along to show our support.
The tea and cake marquee was full to the brim as if anyone needs an excuse like rain to sit down to cake and a cuppa. But we decided to wander around the stalls first, where I came upon The Uphill Trust charity.
“The People’s Friend” featured Liddy Laird, a volunteer for the charity, more than a year ago. We highlighted the good work they do fund-raising to help children in Uganda access education. I managed to have a quick chat with Liddy to find out how things were progressing.
‘The Trust is extremely proud of the kids’
“Things are going great,” Liddy enthused, not letting the rain dampen her spirits.
“In December we had our first P7 class taking their school leavers exam. Out of a class of 19 children, 14 achieved the top grades required and have since gone on to secondary education. This is something previously unheard of in this community. The Trust is extremely proud of the kids’ achievement and the teachers’ dedication and hard work to get them to this standard.
“The school also has a newly completed administration building. This building is connected to the mains electricity supply which is the first mains power supply to the school. The building contains the staff room, school offices, directors and headmaster’s room, as well as a sick bay. A school nurse is now funded and is present during the school day to look after the kids’ health and wellbeing.
“Most recently we have also been able to purchase an adjoining area of land making more ground available for further development of the school. The Trust was also able to assist in the refurbishment of the community shallow well used by everyone in the village as it is their major water supply,” Liddy explained.
“And as the school roll now has over 300 children, the most urgent task for the future is to build another latrine block. New classrooms are also required as the lower classes in the school are currently crowded into the small wooden rooms of the old buildings.
“Fund-raising continues at every available opportunity and we have a lovely group of supporters who are going to do the Dundee Kiltwalk on August 19, hopefully helping to raise enough to start building more classrooms.”
Come rain or shine, this band of volunteers always work tirelessly for their cause and more information about the charity can be found at www.uphilltrust.org
Yvonne McKenzie I work on the Features team and admit to being nosy, so I love looking after the Between Friends letters and finding out all about our lovely readers. I also look after our health copy and enjoy writing about inspiring people that help make the articles in the magazine so interesting.
