        
GIRLCARE MINISTRY
The Struggle for Women in Uganda
Women in Uganda face an uphill struggle in life to achieve happiness and success in their lives.
Neglect: At an early age parents neglect their daughters who are seen as inferior to boys. And once they marry, often very young, women are neglected by their husbands as they carry our polygamous relationships with tens of wives.
Oppression: African culture & traditions teach that girls and women are not valuable members of the community. They are overlooked, often receive no education, have no rights and are expected to do everything in the home, even the more physical jobs, like collecting water. They are treated as if they are sub-human.
Abject poverty: Due to the lack of education and opportunities -women are exposed to more extreme poverty than men.
Effect:
- 85% of all homeless people in Uganda are girls and women
- Women suffer low self-esteem –thus are vulnerable to marry into polygamous marriages.
- Young beautiful girls are being sold into child slavery
- Rising numbers of female prostitutes.
- Promiscuity and adultery have caused the prolific spread of HIV/AIDS. 75% of the AIDS sufferers are female in Uganda.
The Work of GirlCare
- To counsel women not to compete with men but to work alongside them. To help them discover their unique gifts and purpose in God.
- To supply basic needs to meeting feminine needs. For example sanitary pads, underwear, petticoats, soap and vaseline. (Like $10 each girl a month).
- To empower women with teaching and support groups. GirlCare holds an annual workshop for single ladies. By hearing stories of other women who have chosen to live differently the girls are inspired that a fulfilled life is possible for them too!
- To equip women to live their lives self-sufficiently. See below
1. Small Micro-Finance Project
There are many small businesses that an untrained woman could generate income from with a small amount of seed money.
Potential businesses:
- Selling used clothes
- Selling ground-nuts
- Selling sweet bananas
- Operating small tea/coffee rooms
- Operating small restaurants/eating rooms
- Operating small grocery shops etc.
What is a Micro-Finance Scheme?
- A micro-finance project makes available small sums of money to at least 20 girls.
- Each will be advised and equipped to engage in a project of her choice.
- Conditional on the girl opening up a small savings account in a local bank so the money can be deposited into a savings account.
- Every week they will be encouraged to pay a portion of the loan back and also to save a portion of their profits.
- Once the loan is paid off the business will remain hers 100%.
- The re-paid loan will be used to fund another business start-up.
Direct Benefits:
- Girls will at least have income generating activities to enable them have a better life.
- This will instil a good work ethic.
- They will develop an understanding of financial management and the benefits of saving.
Cost of project = $ 1500:
- $1200 for 20 girls to receive $60 each ($10 to open up a savings account and $50 for business start up).
- $200 to carry out a training workshop in small business management.
- $100 for administration, and to set up books for cash management.
2. A Hair & Nail Salon
With funding GirlCare would open a small hair salon. Girls would receive on-job training and receive a small income.
After learning the necessary skills they would be equipped with the skills to generate income for the rest of their lives.
Cost of project = $2953
N.B. These price quotations may be subject to change due to changes in exchange rate. These figures are based on $1 = 1800 Uganda Shillings as of December 4th, 2008.
- Drier
- Steamer = $ 195.
- Nail Drier = $ 56.
- Sink (with the seat, washing bowel etc). = $667
- Set of Three Rollers = $ 150
- A Set of Combs = $362.
- A Power Generator = $ 600.
- Weaves for braiding =$100.
- 6 Months rent to help us get established =$600. |
= $ 223.
= $ 195.
= $ 56.
= $667
=$150
= $362.
= $600.
=$100.
=$600. |
Are you involved with a women’s group that would be interested in partnering with GirlCare to directly impact the lives of hundred’s of young women? These young girls simply need to be a given a chance to prove that they do have something to offer!!
Click here to donate to the ministry of GirlCare.
Donations can also be mailed to Hands of Love USA, 1932 Bennett’s Point Drive, Marietta, GA 30068
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