Beckie our daily customer for PROUD Canteen

 

Beckie with her mother taking soda in PROUD Canteen

Beckie is a little girl who is our daily customer at Proud Canteen. She is eleven years old and she studies at Bishop Asili Memorial Nursery and Primary school in Primary Five.

She came to the canteen her first time with her mother Byamugisha Eve. After she continued to come alone.

Beckie says that she likes mandazi from Proud Canteen more than any other mandazi she has ever eaten; she adds that they put good flavors and they are very sweet.

Beckie promised Manager Kiconco Mercy that she will celebrate her twelfth birthday in the Proud Canteen.

Text written by Kiconco Mercy

Ebenezer meetings at PROUD Canteen

 

Ebenezer fellowship meeting at PROUD Canteen

The Ebenezer fellowship is the fellowship that is organized monthly at Proud Canteen. This fellowship is for the married (couples). Its mainly for teaching the couples how to build good and strong families. 

It has a lot of topics to teach to the couples for example how wives should treat their husbands and how husbands should treat their wives. It also teaches marrieds about how to work and making the savings for their families, looking after the children by teaching them good morals and sending them to school. It also touches the “love” affairs for the couple and teaches the spiritual aspects for example to pray while at home. 

After the fellowship members get the snacks and drinks from the Proud Canteen. The members say that they like the environment and the good spiritual pictures on the wall in the canteen room.

Text by Kiconco Mercy

Lydia Baroles birthday

 

Lydia Barole with bishop Onesmus ready to cut the cake

Lydia Barole is one of the oldest ladies from Kabale. She is well known by many people in Kabale and outside Kabale for preaching the gospel for 50 years. She made many followers and she later opened gathering place at her home in Bushuro-Kabale where people gather for praying. She celebrated her 90 years old on 16/6/2024. The occasion was honored by the Bishop of North Kigezi Rt.Rev. Onesmus Asiimwe who was one of the people Lydia moved with in preaching the gospel when he was still a youth. 

Barole ordered her birthday cake from Proud Canteen which was in form of a bible as she loved the bible and loved Jesus. Kiconco Mercy the manager from Proud Uganda took the cake to the occasion and she helped in cutting and serving the cake to people who attended the function. The function was very colorful and the old lady Lydia thanked the manager for bringing her the good quality cake and she wished God’s blessings to the project.

Text by Kiconco Mercy

Alex's wedding party

 

Wedding cakes by WORK UG

Kwesiga Alex is the manager from Kirigime guest house. He was wedding his wife Prossy Kyomugisha on 12/6/2024.The couple ordered a very big cake from the bakery of Work Uganda. The cake was very beautiful with good color of white and light blue. 

Kwesiga like to sympathize with project of Work Uganda as he appreciates the work being done there. There is one girl who is his relative from Kanungu called Arinda Mercy but currently they reside in Kabale district. After seeing how the project has shaped Mercy, he really loved the project and learnt to know that children with intellectual disabilities can also learn and do something very meaningful. 

We are happy as the project to get supporters such as Alex and we wish him happy marriage.

Text by Kiconco Mercy

Text in Dutch

Kwesiga Alex is de manager van Kirigime guesthouse. Hij trouwde met zijn vrouw Prossy Kyomugisha op 12/6/2024. Het stel bestelde een heel grote taart bij de bakkerij van Work Uganda. De taart was erg mooi met een zachte kleur van wit en lichtblauw. 

Kwesiga sympathiseert graag met het project van Work Uganda omdat hij het werk dat daar wordt gedaan waardeert. Eén van de meisjes van het project is een ver familielid van hem. Nadat hij had gezien hoe het project Mercy heeft gevormd, begon hij van het project te houden. Hij zag hoe jongeren met een verstandelijke beperking ook iets heel zinvols kunnen leren en doen. 

Als project zijn we blij om supporters zoals Alex te krijgen en we wensen hem een heel gelukkig huwelijk!

WORK UG give away cakes

 

Basket give away cakes from WORK UG

Give away cakes are special cakes normally made in traditional material shapes for example drums and baskets. In Kabale the traditional cake is made from the baskets, that is because in the past people used to give the new married girls the gifts of baskets to use in their daily house hold activities.

Mbabazi Rose had her give away on 9/3/2024. She ordered her basket cakes from Work Uganda. The Work Uganda personnel led by Kiconco Mercy baked the best basket cakes decorated in black and white. Rose was very happy and grateful for the cakes.

Written by Kiconco Mercy

Birthday party for Ayebare Praise

 Praise makes 17 years

The birthday for Ayebare Praise took place on 23/2/2024. Praise made 17 years and she was very happy. Praise composed her menu of beef, rice, mashed matooke and sodas. She enjoyed the meal and all children at the project were very happy to enjoy the birthday party for Praise. 

The children and personnel sang for her birthday songs and danced for her which brought a lot of smiles on her face. The manager congratulated Praise for the milestone and she said to her now “Praise you are remaining with one year to make 18 years and you become a big lady and you will not be called a child anymore.” 

Praise became happier to know that she is going to be a big lady.

                                                           Praise started at the project in 2014

Praise the baker

Ayebare Praise is the student worker at the Work Uganda. She prefers baking to other activities done at the project. She likes baking mandazi and pan cakes. Right now she is not yet the best baker of the project but she has a zeal in baking. Praise is improving in baking all the time; the manager hopes that she will become the best baker with great products. The manager sees working in the bakery as the future profession of Praise.

Praise baking daddies. Peer teaching by Sarah.

Written by Kiconco Mercy

First graduation party at PROUD Canteen

Judith and her parents celebrating the graduation in a traditional way

t

The first graduation party took place at Proud Canteen on 24/11/2023.The first graduate to celebrate her graduation ceremony was called Tumwebaze Judith who was the student of Uganda Collage of Commerce (UCC) in Kabale. Judith had invited her parents and friends to attend the party. She got her Diploma in accounting and finance management and she was very glad.

The party was organized well by the personnel from Proud Canteen and the student workers. Food and drinks were well organized and prepared well. There was also good music in the background with congratulation songs. It was amazing to welcome the first graduation party at Proud Canteen.

Written by Kiconco Mercy

Triplets' birthday

 

Bridget and Mercy feeding each other cake

On 16/10/2023 we held a birth day party at the project for the three girls which we called the “Triplet Birthday”. The three girls were born in the same month of October whereby Katushabe Bridget was born on 16th October, Mugyenyi Sarah was born on 1st October and Arinda Mercy was born on 10th October. They celebrated their birthday on 16th October and they enjoyed their day by eating the food of their choice. 

They composed their menu of mashed matooke, beef and sodas. The project had made a good butter cake for the three girls with their names on top of the cake. It was enjoyable as each girl was feeding each other a cake as a sign of love and togetherness. After the celebration each girl took a gift cake to their parents and siblings to eat at their homes.

Written by Kiconco Mercy

PROUD Canteen

De bezielsters van PROUD Canteen: vlnr Arinda-Mercy, Sarah, Praise en Bridget

In het najaar van 2023 trad PROUD Canteen in werking. Het is een cafetaria die werk verschaft aan de jongeren van het project. Er kwam heel wat werk kijken bij het afwerken van het gebouw buiten en binnen, het uitrusten van de cafetaria, het uitwerken van het menu, het afspreken van openingsuren, het herwerken van het werkrooster voor leerlingen-werknemers en leerkrachten -die nu functioneren als job coaches-, de bekendmaking enz. enz.

Maar de vreugde was groot. Het werk van de afgelopen jaren op het vlak van leren koken en bakken komt nu volledig tot zijn recht. Wat is het leuk je eigen waar uit te stallen en aan te prijzen. PROUD Canteen gaat ons nog veel werk vragen maar tegelijk ook veel plezier opleveren. Het is een promotie voor de jongeren die kunnen tonen dat ze ook kunnen bijdragen aan de maatschappij als daarvoor de juiste condities worden gecreëerd. Dat zijn volwaardig werk en een volwaardige werkomgeving.

We spreken graag nog eens onze dank uit aan de Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen en de Gemeente Berlare die het Canteen project mogelijk hebben gemaakt.

Hierna kan u een aantal verhalen lezen over de sfeer na de opening van de cafetaria, opgetekend door Mercy KICONCO, onze projectleidster. 

Written by Leon Peeters

Missie 15. Deel 4: materieel. Mission 15. Part 4: infrastructure and equipment.

 

Missie 15. Deel 4: materieel

Materieel worden er stappen gezet op het vlak van de infrastructuur en de equipering. Er werd ook verder nagedacht over de inrichting van de tuin.

Infrastructuur

Alle lokalen kregen een aanduiding van hun functie: van ‘workers room’ langs ‘kitchen’ tot ‘office’. Ook de 3 eenheden (unit 1, 2 en 3) werden benoemd.

Unit 1 kreeg een solar. Voor de batterij werd een behuizing voorzien.

Unit 3 Canteen werd voorzien van ruiten en dakgoten. Binnen werden prijsborden geplaatst.

Aan de straatkant werden reklameboodschappen geschilderd op unit 3 en 1, respectievelijk voor PROUD Canteen en parties.

Tot nog toe was enkel één kant van unit 2 voorzien van electriciteit. Nu kregen alle eenheden een verbinding met het electriciteitsnet. Dat vroeg om certificaten bedrading, inspectie van de site door personeel van de electriciteitsmaatschappij Umeme en tenslotte het aansluiten van meter 2 en 3 op de dichtsbijzijnde electriciteitspalen.

Uitrusting

Voor de uitrusting van de canteen (unit 3) hebben we 6 extra tafels voor 2 personen laten maken.We kochten ook een leuke stof om de tafels te bekleden; de tafelkleedjes werden aangemaakt door een buurvrouw naaister.

In de canteen werd een counter geplaatst en een bestek ladekast.

De inrichting van de canteen werd verfraaid met een fototentoonstelling over Het Leven van Jezus. We laten een multiculturele Christus en kerk zien. We verwijzen bijvoorbeeld naar ‘Black is Blessed’: the Biblical, inclusive art of Laura James.

De bakkerij (unit 2) werd voorzien van een tweede oven ‘made in Kabale’. De ‘keuken-store’ (unit 2) kreeg zijn eerste twee rekjes. In de keuken werden afwasbare tafellakens op de tafels gelegd en we zorgden voor de nodige snijplanken.

Jobcoach Apophia maakte een lijst van prioritaire aankopen op. We begonnen met het uitkijken naar een frigo maar alle in Kabale beschikbare modellen bleken niet duurzaam.

We zochten ook uit welke lampen in de lokale handel beschikbaar zijn en lijstten op welke lampen we nodig hebben. In totaal 77 stuks (unit 1: 18; unit 2: 24; unit 3: 35).

Tenslotte lieten we 5 metalen deurmatten aanmaken.

Aan onze vrijwilligster vroegen we te werken aan het opmaken van een inventaris.

Tuin

In de tuin hebben we de voorbije jaren vooruitgang geboekt maar nu lijken we een beetje aan ons plafond te zitten. Tijd om de inrichting van de tuin en de werkmethoden nog eens onder de loepe te nemen. De projectleidster heeft alvast een nota hierover geschreven. Ondertussen participeren Freddy en Leon in Vlaanderen zoveel als mogelijk in het ‘Lerend netwerk moestuinen’ waarvan de Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen één van de initiatiefnemers is.

Mission 15. Part 4: Infrastructure and equipment

Materially, steps are being taken in the field of infrastructure and equipment. Further thought was also given to the layout of the garden.

Infrastructure

All classrooms were given an indication of their function: from 'workers room' to 'kitchen' to 'office'. The 3 units (unit 1, 2 and 3) were also named.

Unit 1 got a solar. A housing was provided for the battery.

Unit 3 Canteen was fitted with windows and gutters. Boards to write the menu were placed on the wall.

On the street side, advertising messages were painted on units 3 and 1, respectively for PROUD Canteen and parties.

Before only one side of unit 2 was equipped with electricity. Now all units were connected to the electricity grid. This required wiring certificates, inspection of the site by personnel of the electricity company Umeme and finally the connection of meters 2 and 3 to the nearest electricity poles.

Equipment

For the equipping of the canteen (unit 3) we have ordered for 6 extra tables (tables for 2 people). We also bought a nice fabric to cover the tables; the tablecloths were made by a neighbor seamstress.

A counter and a cutlery chest of drawers were placed in the canteen.

The interior of the canteen was decorated with a photo exhibition about The Life of Jesus. We show a multicultural Christ and church. For example, we refer to 'Black is Blessed: the Biblical, inclusive art of Laura James.’

The bakery (unit 2) was equipped with a second oven 'made in Kabale'. The 'kitchen-store' (unit 2) got its first two racks. In the kitchen, washable tablecloths were placed on the tables and we provided the necessary cutting boards.

Job coach Apophia made a list of priority purchases. We started by looking for a fridge but all models available in Kabale turned out to be unsustainable.

We also figured out which lamps are available in the local trade and listed which lamps we need. A total of 77 pieces (unit 1: 18; unit 2: 24; unit 3: 35).

Finally, we had 5 metal doormats made.

We asked our volunteer to work on making an inventory.

Garden

In the garden we have made progress in recent years, but now it looks as if we have reached our maximum. Time to take a closer look at the design of the garden and the working methods. The project leader has already written a note about this. Meanwhile, in Flanders, Freddy and Leon participate as much as possible in the 'Learning network vegetable gardens' of which the Province of East Flanders is one of the initiators.

International women's day

Student-workers from WORK Uganda and their job coaches celebrating International Women's Day in Skyline restaurant

The 'International women’s day' was held on 8/3/2023. It was celebrated at the Skyline hotel by the girls and personnel from Proud Uganda.

De meisjes en het personeel aan de ingang van Skyline restaurant. Klassiek, traditioneel en vrije tijd kleding door elkaar gemengd.

The girls from Proud Uganda went to eat from the Skyline hotel. At the same time they were learning the way other restaurants in Kabale works. The Proud Uganda is in the process of opening the cafeteria at the Proud Uganda Village.

The girls were happy to enjoy their day and going for outing and looking at the new place.

Bridget, Praise, Saarah en Arinda-Mercy nemen een kijk op de nieuwe 'Kabale Central Market'.

They moved also in the new central market of Kabale and looked in several places in the market including the modern kitchen of the market, which made their day colorful.

The twin birthday party 23/2/2023

The twin birthday party took place at Proud Uganda where by Himschoot Jolien and Ayebare Praise were born on the same day 23^rd February.

Cauliflower

The two celebrants were very happy and they chose their menu. Himschoot chose rice and cauliflower and Praise chose posho, rice and beef.

Arinda Mercy

The project prepared delicious cakes for Praise and Jolien.

Sarah

After eating the celebrants cut the cakes and other children and personnel were happy, dancing and singing birthday songs to the celebrants.

Happy Birthday cake prepared by WORK UG

Himschoot Jolien and Ayebare Praise fed each other cake and they felt jolly and very happy for sharing the birthday date.

Praise feeding cake to Jolien

Praise became 16 and Jolien 25. We wish them a long and happy life. 

Written by Kiki