Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

On Saturday 7 June a small team of colleagues from the AMEC plc Knutsford office completed a  mountain walk in North Wales to support the project described below.

HOPEHIV is a charity sponsored by AMEC, who will DOUBLE any donation that you are able to make.

The situation in Northern Uganda
Civil war has raged in the North of Uganda for over 20 years and more than 25,000 children have been abducted by rebels and forced to become child soldiers. A significant number of children have escaped or been rescued. But they are traumatised & also lack the educational and livelihood skills to reintegrate back into their families and communities. They struggle with self confidence and to find employment.

In partnership with Oasis, HOPEHIV is already pioneering an internationally accredited computer and research skills program called Net2Work in one of World Vision's many child soldier rehabilitation centres in Gulu where job opportunities exist for these young people if they acquire good computer skills.

There are many people from poor or underprivileged backgrounds who are struggling to provide for their needs and the needs of their families. There is also a shortage of people with good computer skills. By providing high quality computer training to people in this situation, their lives can be transformed over a short period of time and result in employment or further education opportunities.

The basis of the HOPEHIV funded Net2Work programme is a formal computer training course that provides successful students with certification from the "Cambridge Institute of Technology". The course is also complimented with high quality life-skills, job-skills and entrepreneurship training. HOPEHIV partner, Oasis, has been running a successful Net2Work programme in Kampala, Uganda since 2003 with over 60% of graduates finding employment or further education.

HOPEHIV wants to expand the Net2Work program to the Pader World Vision Centre in 2008. Pader's Deputy Chief Administration Officer says "The biggest problem we have is with the young people affected by the war who have not been able to complete their education. They feel redundant and have no hope for the future. They spend all their time hanging around the streets & often turn to drugs & alcohol." Many of these former child soldiers feel inferior to their brothers & sisters who have been educated, & without support, struggle with confidence & finding employment.

A disused building has been made available for renovation & equipping as a computer training centre by HOPEHIV.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: HOPEHIV gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So, due to the generosity of AMEC, £10 could become almost £22  !

So please sponsor me now!