AMAZIMA ASSOCIATION
Swiss partner organization of the KIGEZI ORPHANS PROJECT
NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2025
To all who are well disposed towards us and our heart project
Dear friends of the AMAZIMA association
The very intensive phase at the beginning of the year, in order to be able to start the 2025 school year in an orderly manner, was both a challenge and a motivation for our two-person project team here in Switzerland.
We are in almost daily contact with our friends and those responsible for the main project on site. It's wonderful to be able to help. The constant calls for help can be stressful at times. Our passion project should remain a passion project. Therefore, we must take care of ourselves and keep an eye on our own development so that we can continue to provide valuable support to our project.
The people in charge of Kigezi Community School are working tirelessly, with great personal responsibility, to further develop,
stabilize, and improve the situation. Efforts to promote the community's independence extend far beyond the school's operations. The primary goal remains to stabilize livelihoods and provide the younger generations with a solid basic education.
Uganda is a politically stable, emerging country with good development prospects. Until the economic recovery reaches even the most remote regions, our support for local efforts remains crucial.
Since the project's inception, we have already raised around CHF 23,000 in support. We personally cover the general project costs. Almost 100% of the donations benefit the beneficiaries.
Our priorities remain unchanged:
- Stabilization of school operations
- regular, balanced diet
- Securing wage payments for employees
- Maintenance and appropriate expansion of infrastructure
- Strengthening families and the community in the catchment are
- targeted support for the activities of the main project
In this newsletter, we would like to provide specific information about what we can achieve with our work and your donations, what the independent efforts of the local community are doing, and what activities we plan to use to keep both ourselves and you, our supporters, happy.
Our priority is to ensure that the 2026 school year begins early and in an orderly manner in the interests of both children and staff.
Focus on teachers and wage payments
Insight into our ongoing exchange
Meeting with the seventh-grade teachers
Good afternoon, Jürg and Micha. I hope everything is going well. I know it's not easy for you either, but it's good to keep you updated. Confidentially, some teachers weren't in class today, but we're organizing a meeting this evening. I'll keep you updated. Thank you for your efforts.
I'm pleased to announce that I've found two teachers to replace the ones who left, and they're the best. I drove them there yesterday.
Good morning, team
Yesterday, we had a staff meeting at school. Making the decisions wasn't easy; we had to proceed with great care. We made some drastic decisions, especially regarding the method of payment. We agreed to partially increase staff salaries and to switch from monthly payments to three-monthly payments during the current school year. This means that staff will now only be paid during school term time, not during the holidays. However, we also agreed that we need to settle the current salary arrears as quickly as possible to ensure a smooth learning process. Staff are currently entitled to two months' salary. The new payment model will take effect in December. Thank you, team. Together, we can move forward and achieve more.
Further on in the newsletter, you'll find an insight into the school's current cost structure.
It also shows the current range of staff salaries and what we can achieve with your donations.
Focus on nutrition
Insight into our ongoing exchange
Thank you for the recent news. I'd like to inform you that we've spoken with our food supplier, and they've provided us with 4.5 tons on credit. Together with our current inventory, this will cover the entire duration of the term. This agreement will also help us reduce transportation costs, as we no longer have to transport two tons every month.
Grocery delivery successfully completed tonight
With our association behind it, the school has gained creditworthiness. Nevertheless, the procurement must be made quickly, preferably in cash and not on credit.
The school year is divided into three teaching periods (terms) of three months each.
Below is an example of the first term of 2025.
The cost for growing lettuce, cabbage, and spinach at school is CHF 1 per day.
The average cost per schoolchild for health care during a term is CHF 2.--.
CHF 5 can cover the cost of school materials for a child for a year.
CHF 10 covers the external costs for electricity and communication for one week.
A donation of CHF 20 is sufficient to cover the external catering costs for one child during one term.
The annual repair and maintenance costs for the furniture in the classrooms amount to CHF 50.--.
A donation of CHF 100 compensates for the loss of school fees for a child whose parents cannot pay them.
14 teachers, 3 school management and administration staff, 6 supervisors, 2 cooks: 14 teachers, 3 school management and administration staff, 6 supervisors, 2 cooks:
Every donation is equally welcome. One day, we will also be able to repair the partially dilapidated infrastructure.
The preceding list could lead to misinterpretation.
A teacher's salary can sometimes be as low as 400’000 Ugandan shillings instead of the average 800’000....
This means that – even in Uganda – a family of four or six cannot make much progress.
The money available to the school must be used to ensure that the students receive the basic nutrition they need.
Unfortunately, this is currently quite monotonous, although Uganda has a rich selection of local foods to offer.
When choosing a name for our club, we worked with our friends from Kigezi to find a short, clear, concise, and, above all, meaningful term from the local language.
«AMAZIMA» means trust
Our entire project is based on trust: mutual trust between the local population, the school, and the Kigezi Orphans Project. The trust between the local organizations in Uganda and our Swiss partners. And, of course, the trust of you, the donors, in our heartfelt project.
We aim to further strengthen precisely this trust with the current issue of our newsletter. We try to explore various avenues for the essential fundraising effort. In addition to our everyday activities, we also continually seek contact with communities, organizations, and institutions. However, we face seemingly endless competition here and can only hope for the odd "lucky hit."
We therefore place even greater trust in the growing community of our individual donors and are pleased to approach you with a donation appeal that will enable us to begin the 2026 school year in an orderly manner.
It is of great importance to us to continuously expand our project's reach and thus achieve the necessary long-term stability.
We rely on your trust and support. Please help us spread the word about our cause to your circle of friends and acquaintances wherever possible.
In addition to distributing our electronic media, we are also happy to provide you with print material in any format you require.
We're also happy to discuss things in person, whether small or large. Don't hesitate to contact us if you need to.
Breaking out of the vicious circle
What is the point of supporting a school that is in financial difficulty because the parents of the schoolchildren are often unable to afford the urgently needed school fees?
Well, if the economic performance of the population in the school's catchment area is so low that it is impossible to provide children with the basic education they deserve, there is only one way out of this situation: to empower the population to improve economic performance through sensible measures and appropriate support. The basis for this is the essential basic school education of the younger generation.
Our local partners from the Kigezi Orphans Project are working tirelessly to spread this idea to the surrounding community:
Good morning, I hope you're all well. I've spoken with Egidius, and together we're pursuing the idea of intensifying our public relations and marketing efforts during the school holidays.
When we recently went to Kisiizi Falls, we were able to recruit ten new students. This showed us that we can reach even more students by expanding our efforts to a larger part of the village and deeper into the district. Increasing the student enrollment not only strengthens the school but also helps ease your financial burden. Thank you for your continued support. Together we can do this.
In Ruhija with our PR representative
Creating value through appreciation
The community possesses tremendous skills and an immense wealth of experience. In addition to supporting the school, our primary task, together with those responsible for the main local project, is to help the rural population retain a greater share of the added value from their labor within their own ranks. The Kigezi Orphans Project has many young, highly trained professionals who are willing to contribute the necessary know-how to the planned community projects.
Good morning, dear team! I hope everything is well with you. We are doing our best to manage the situation, even if it is a bit difficult right now. As our co-director mentioned, we recently partnered with TCP Global to support the community through a revolving fund program. We were fortunate enough to receive a grant of 10 million Ugandan shillings, and last Sunday our team disbursed the funds at a 2% interest rate to two of the 50 groups established under the Amazima Community Farmers Initiative.
Hello, dear team members. Could we consider promoting and advertising this homebased industry for our caregivers to help fund it?
Yesterday we had a meeting with an engineer from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority, who informed us about the necessary machinery. After that, we were able to finalize the coffee concept.
Best regards from Robert and Joseph
Reliable and dependable partnerships
The fairly widespread concerns that our commitment is ineffective and that our donations could be misdirected are entirely justified. Uganda is a well-functioning country governed by the rule of law.
Our close collaboration, based on regular personal contacts, with our locally recognized and legally secure partner organization, the Kigezi Orphans Project, puts us in the best possible position.
We are able to continuously review both the legality and, above all, the effectiveness of our commitment.
Just like our Swiss association, which is recognized as a non-profit organization and thus tax-exempt, the KOP is also a state-recognized NGO that also strives for tax exemption.
Volunteers
In addition to financial support, personal commitment of course always welcome. Especially in connection with urgent infrastructure projects we strive to place Swiss volunteers on site as quickly as possible.
- Volunteering is a valuable act that benefits both the giver and the recipient. The Kigezi Orphans Project in Uganda offers a unique opportunity to meaningfully impact the lives of orphans. Here, you'll learn about the various reasons why you should volunteer for this remarkable organization.
- The Kigezi Orphans Project aims to provide shelter, education, and love to children who have been deprived of these basic needs. Its mission is to create a nurturing environment in which children can grow and develop.
The project was founded to help the growing number of orphans in the Kigezi region. It has significantly contributed to changing lives. Over the years, it has expanded its reach and now supports hundreds of children, offering them hope and a better future.
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Volunteering offers the opportunity for personal development. It fosters skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving. Furthermore, it fosters empathy and a sense of global belonging.
All volunteers contribute to the well-being of the children. Whether they teach, build infrastructure, or provide medical care, their commitment has a direct impact on the lives of the children and the community. - Volunteers can assist with teaching various subjects, helping with homework, and organizing educational activities. Education is a cornerstone of the Kigezi Orphans Project, which aims to break the cycle of poverty through knowledge and skills.
Medical professionals and people with healthcare experience can provide the children with much-needed medical care, health education, and support. This ensures that the children are healthy and can fully participate in their education and daily activities.
Volunteers can participate in projects that benefit the entire community, such as building schools, improving infrastructure, and implementing sustainable practices. This creates a better living environment for everyone involved. - Many volunteers have shared their formative experiences with the Kigezi Orphans Project. These stories illustrate the profound impact volunteering can have on both the volunteers and the children. Volunteering offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture, learn new languages, and experience diverse perspectives. This enriches both the volunteers and the community.
- The Kigezi Orphans Project offers a straightforward application process for volunteers. Interested parties can apply via the organization's website, where you'll find all the necessary information. Before starting their assignment, volunteers receive comprehensive training and orientation. This ensures they are well prepared and can contribute effectively to the project.
- Volunteering for the Kigezi Orphans Project is an enriching experience that offers personal growth, cultural exchange, and the satisfaction of making a meaningful difference. By joining this valuable project, you will become part of a community dedicated to improving the lives of orphans and creating a better future for all.
Africa Cup 2025
Public Viewing, Food & Drinks
21.12.2025 – 18.01.2026
The Africa Cup of Nations is a continental championship on the African continent. It takes place every two years and is thus comparable to the European Championship.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Morocco. After 1988, the tournament will be held in the North African country for the second time. Games will be played in six cities and nine stadiums, with four of them being used in Rabat. The largest stadium is the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, which has a capacity of approximately 68,700 people.
Join us in Uganda
September 20 to October 3, 2026
We are currently planning another stay in Uganda.
We (together with trusted local travel agencies) will be happy to introduce interested accompanying persons to the Pearl of Africa.
We will spend 12 days in one of the most impressive and diverse countries in East Africa.
We will have the opportunity to visit various national parks, each with its own unique landscape and the chance to see a variety of wildlife, from rare white rhinos to stunning mountain gorillas and cheeky chimpanzees.
We will also get to know the local population and the Kigezi Community School, which we support, and the local project managers.
Entebbe / Kampala / Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary / Murchison Falls National Park / River Nile / Kibale National Park (Schimpansen) / Queen Elizabeth National Park / Kazinga Channel / Bwindi National Park (Berggorillas) / Lake Bunyonyi / Kabale / Kisizi / Kigezi / Entebbe
For travel expenses including accommodation and meals (excluding flight costs), we are aiming for a special price of approximately CHF 3,000 per person.
We welcome inquiries and non-binding pre-registrations.
Almost exactly four years ago, we met by chance on a course day. Our shared interest in an equally random topic prompted us to stay in touch for a while...
Almost exactly two years ago, we wanted to take a trip to Iceland. But chance led us to Uganda...
We'll probably stay in touch for a while longer – without having any idea what will happen in almost exactly two years...
What's important is where we stand today—and what we've been able to achieve together with you, dear donors. We'd like to stay in touch with you for a while...
Thank you very much for your support!
Kind regards
AMAZIMA ASSOCIATION
Jürg König, Micha Bärtschi,
Co-President Co-President