We were part of a group of Spanish and British tourists who were on their way through Uganda to see the mountain gorillas in the Virunga mountains. We had just been to visit Murchison Falls Nature Reserve and were slipping and sliding along a mud road when our converted lorry got stuck in the mud. We piled out of the lorry and found we were in front of a primary school. But what a school! It was made of mud with only a few desks, cracked blackboards and ragged curtains separating classrooms.

On enquiry, we found out that the school had been founded by the local community for AIDS orphans and the children of refugee and other very poor families who could not afford the minimal fees of the government schools in the area.

One of the group, who teaches English to primary school children in Spain, started teaching the children songs. They were thrilled, and learned very quickly, and we immediately felt that these children deserved support.

We asked the headteacher if there was anything that could be sent with the tourist lorry that came by every six months, thinking that perhaps we could send books, pencils or other equipment. But the head teacher replied What we need is a proper school. Of course.

Throughout the trip we could not get the school out of our heads, and when we returned home we decided to set up an NGO, Adelante Africa, which means Go forward Africa in Spanish, and began to raise money to rebuild the school.

Two years later, in 2010 St Joseph's School was completely rebuilt and it was handed over to the community and local government. However, on visiting the school the members of Adelante Africa realised that in fact the work, far from being finished, had only just begun. From then onwards Adelante Africa Tugende Omumaiso let's go forward together has been working on a whole new set of projects.

Here is a map of Africa showing the position of Uganda and the Ugandan flag.

The black stands for the people of Africa, the yellow for the sun and the red for the blood of all the different peoples and mini-nations that make up the country. 

The crane in the centre of the flag is a gentle bird, common in Uganda and the national symbol.

The community is called Igayaza. It is in Kibaale District, about 100 kilometres from Lake Albert and half way between Hoima and Mubende. Igayaza is made up of more than 18 villages that are critically underdeveloped. 90% of the population live in mud huts and are unable to read or write.

To join and support education, agricultural and other development projects that come from the local community. 

To raise funds to support development projects.

To hand over responsibility for infrastructures and work towards projects being efficient and self-sufficient as soon as possible.

Small steps can lead to great changes

Adelante Africa works alongside local people in a remote rural area in Uganda to support vulnerable children. We have educational projects, a home for abandoned children and give small loans to help families pull themselves out of poverty.

The economic resources of Adelante Africa come from one off donations, the sale of products made by women's groups in Uganda, funds raised at events and the monthly donations of our members. 

Everyone involved, both in Europe and Uganda works on a completely voluntary basis. Every euro donated to Adelante Africa is used for our projects in Uganda.

Financial Resources (Article 28)

All the Association's membership, including the members of its Governing Body shall carry out their activity in and for Adelante Africa, without any remuneration from the Association whatsoever.

All travel expenses related to Adelante Africa activity shall also be paid personally by each member. 

The funds collected by Adelante Africa shall only be used for the NGO's charitable works and to pay external professionals for their services to deliver the charitable works and fulfil the Association's formal obligations.

Spain:

President:

Victoria Ley Vega de Seoane
Head of Division, Scientific Evaluation Area (Retired) - National Research Agency

Vice-Presidents:

José Luis López Sánchez
Entrepreneur

Christina Latham-Koenig
Writer of upper secondary and adult E.F.L. textbooks

Secretary:

Jane Cadwallader
Author of primary and infant E.F.L. textbooks

Treasurer:

Victoria Camarillo
Also responsible for legal and fiscal aspects

Project Coordinator:

Jorge Lezcano
M.A. in Development Management, London School of Economics.

Other members:

Alison Blair
Author of primary and infant E.F.L. textbooks. Responsible for the secondary school sponsorship programme

Izabella Hearn
Author of primary and secondary E.F.L. textbooks. Responsible for relations with Nyumbani, Kenya

Mady Musiol
Author of primary and secondary E.F.L. textbooks

María Díaz Ley
Software Process Engineer

Dra. Alba Galdón
Medical Specialist.  Resposible for the 'Doctors in Uganda' project.

Cathy Myers
Author of secondary EFL textbooks

Blanca Ley Vega de Seoane
Retired Head Teacher of IES El Burgo de las Rozas – Responsible for the FAL.

Ana Lezcano
M.A.Graduate in Social Policy and Development presently working as a Research Manager, Innovations for Poverty Action – Kenya (IPA).  

Teresa Lezcano
Graduate in History and African Culture presently working as Research Manager, Innovations for Poverty Action – Kenya (IPA)

Rachel Long
ELT Marketing Manager, Macmillan Education Iberia

Neil McNamara
Responsible for the Website and IT Services

Estrella Castro de Miguel and Montse de Miguel
Entrepreneurs

Board Members of Adelante Africa Uganda visit the children at the home.

Chair:

Cleophus Mugenyi
Assistant Commissioner for Pre-Primary and Primary Education, Ministry of Education

Secretary:

Nakafeero Ursula
Business computing

Treasurer:

Kigozi Abbas
Influencing Coordinator, Oxfam Novib  

Other board members:

Okonjo Ayo Florence
Technical advisor to local governments with a special focus on economic empowerment and HIV status for the Catholic Relief Services

Ms. Kitibwa Teddy
Senior Lecturer at Albinino National Instructors College Teacher

Ms. Biribonwa Robinah
Managing Director, Mango Fund Inc.

Jorge Lezcano
Representing Adelante Africa Spain

Jane Cadwallader
Representing Adelante Africa Spain

Other members:

Kairu Andrew
Teacher, Chairperson of the Adelante Africa Volunteers in Igayaza

Damian Asaba
Teacher. Secretary of the Adelante Africa Volunteers in Igayaza. Responsible for the F.A.L., the Vitamin A and the Chicken Vaccination projects.

Tuyambe Josephine
Businesswoman. Responsible for the day to day running of the children’s home

Mbabazi Inmeldah
Farmer. Responsible for community loans and bursar of the nursery school

Kakugizibwe Julius
Teacher, St Joseph’s School. Responsible for the FAL

Kubalikenda Thomas
Responsible for the Homemade Water Tank project

Ssebukalu Augustine
Responsible for the Omwaana Tugende Farm

Namara Dennis
Omwaana Tugende care worker. Responsible for the Green Vegetable Project and for the Diabetics Association projects

Nyamahunge Gladys 
Responsible for the Women’s sewing group and the Hairdressing classes   

Bagaza Tadeo 
Farmer and businessman. Responsible for the Secondary School.  

Ahumusa Susan 
Social worker and employee of the local Government. She works part time as social worker at the Children’s Home. 

Namirembe Olivia
Head of Accounting

Tumushabe Cypiran
Legal Advisor

We are grateful to the following organisations that sponsor or contribute to Adelante Africa:

We thank the following people who donate to Adelante Africa ...