Networking and Cooperation in Uganda

Jinja is a haven of NGO’s. The sides of every street are lined with signposts displaying logos and slogans of the various NGO’s from large globally recognised names such as the Red Cross to smaller, more locally focused charities, such as ourselves!

Although all the NGO’s (allegedly over 500) come to Jinja with their own programme and values in mind, ultimately they are all here to improve and develop the town, the surrounding villages and the country at large. One of the unique challenges of working in the Jinja area is how to maximise the manpower, resources and money for the greater good as well as allowing each organisation to pursue their unique area of interest, be it religious goals, micro-financing or human rights.

One of the initiatives in Jinja enabling NGOs to exchange ideas and maximise impact in the town

We would really like SALVE to be part of the co-operative effort, JINNET (Jinja Network) which enables organisations to work alongside one another, particularly those focused on vulnerable children, in order to improve the situation for street children in Jinja generally. This week we have been filing applications to join the network and hope to be able to become members as soon as possible.

So far in SALVE’s short life we have already encountered many of the advantages and pitfalls of working so closely alongside other NGO’s. Over the coming month, networking and co-operation will be a focus for the interns and the SALVE staff and we hope to keep you all updated via our blogs of our progress on that front. Though we have quickly learnt from our time in Jinja that the course may not always be as smooth and simple as it seems at the outset so wish us luck!!

If anyone would like to learn more about the recent landslide that has affected Uganda please have a look at the following link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8548808.stm. Here are a few photos to show some of the devastation that this has caused.