From Amanda Sperritt
It is good news that mountain gorilla populations around the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of Uganda have increased from 300 to 340 in the last 10 years (28 April, p 5). Unfortunately the human population is not doing so well. The area has been badly affected by AIDS, leaving many children orphaned, some of whom were born with HIV. Illnesses of all kinds, combined with poverty, have also left many others with no carer.
The people there have formed the Bwindi Orphanage Development Center (BODEC) and have registered it with local government as a community-based organisation. They have lots of ideas to improve health and education. Currently children walk 30 kilometres each way to attend secondary school.
BODEC has set up a website to generate publicity, and has a sponsorship scheme. Several tourists have sponsored a child during their stay, but with no system in place to keep in touch with sponsors, this funding often dries up after the first year. Bank transfer fees often add considerably to sponsorship costs. There are many dedicated, resourceful and motivated people in Bwindi who, with some practical and financial support, will be able to become a self-sufficient community, ensuring everyone has adequate food, water and shelter.
I and my sister Jo, who has visited Bwindi twice, are looking into ways of helping the orphanage and the people of Bwindi to start their website, raise the funds for their projects and increase the number of children sponsored. If any reader would like to sponsor a child (currently £90 per year for a primary-school-aged child to cover all education, food and clothing needs) or if you have any other input for our project, please see http://bwindiorphanage.googlepages.com. We are looking into starting a UK registered charity or joining with an existing one, so please get in touch if you can help.
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Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK
