Social Capital and Generosity

There is a saying ‘Some people are so poor, all they have is money’.

As we enter the Christmas period it is good to reflect on the importance of the people around us and note the affection, support and care we provide each other.  Development workers and economists call this ‘Social Capital’ and describe it as the wealth we receive from our social interactions: the relationships we trust, the people we co-operate with and the reciprocal favours we provide.

In Uganda, where most families we support have little financial wealth, we observe they belong to extensive networks of family and friends who prioritise community participation in order to be there for each other in times of difficulty.  This was embodied on one of our trips when we asked an old man how many grandchildren he had. The answer was “between 20 and 30”.  No exact figure was given because so many children had been welcomed into his family network as crisis hit their own. There was no formal adoption, no paperwork, just an acceptance that community works best when there is generosity, and that generosity extends to raising someone else’s child.

Families rely on each other and their community

The children who HUGS sponsor benefit from the generosity of our donors. We use money because that’s transferable across 6500 miles but this only happens because HUGS is a charity which is entwined with social networks within Uganda. We respond to the calls of our trusted representatives and facilitate teachers, carers, mothers to help each other.  

Like Albert who is helping parents learn sign language or Molly, a teacher, who has a passion for helping children with disabilities enjoy dance, or Ronald who, owning wellington boots, carries children home when the slum is flooded.

Please take a look at our current fund raiser, the HUGS Christmas Craft and Gift Auction. This year we have included many items made by people in Uganda at a range of prices which acknowledges that many people in the UK currently face financial constraints. Every penny we raise will help primary aged children at the Little Shepherd School.

Thank you for being a vital part of our social network. You offer us your social capital, and we, in turn share this with vulnerable children in Uganda.  

Destined to help shape a better future for Uganda

The HUGS sponsorship scheme has supported 100s of children and young adults to attend school, college and university.  There are many stories of success. 

There are now engineers, doctors, nurses, town planners, teachers (and other professionals) who are contributing to their communities in creative ways because of their HUGS-sponsored education. During our trip to Uganda, in September, we met many of these bright people. It was obvious they are destined to help shape a better future for Uganda.

This photo shows the HUGS Chair with (Left to Right), Sebastian Waiswa, Head teacher of St Frances de Sale School, (about to embark on a Diploma in Special Needs Education), Yayeri Basira (newly qualified Social Worker, and blind herself), Doreen Namujjuzi (in her second year of a degree in Information Technology) and Ronald Kawauki (newly qualified Optometrist who now gives his time for free to assess children with sight loss at our schools). All have been part of our Sponsorship programme.

 

Education ignites passion. This is Rita Kenyange who is just about to sit her 'finals' for a degree in Medical Lab Technology.  She was so inspired by the work of global health experts during the COVID pandemic that she intends to continue to an MSc in Biomedical Technology and Genetic Engineering.

Education helps each and every household.  HUGS has teamed up with CEFOVID, a grassroots development NGO in the Kosovo slum, Kampala, to help train local young single mothers in tailoring.  After a six month fully funded course, they graduate with National Ugandan recognised qualifications which they can use to certify their skills anywhere in the country.  We have helped ensure every one of them, on completion, receive a ‘start up pack’ including material, thread, needles and a pedal driven sewing machine.

It's no surprise that the commonest use of their improved income, is to pay for their children’s education. 

Thank you to each and every one of our donors for supporting our work.  You are helping us change the lives of 1000s of individuals. If you know anyone who would like to contribute to our sponsorship programme, and help pay for the education of a primary school child (£150 a year), secondary school (£300 a year) or university (£500-1000) please invite them to make contact.