UGANDAN MUSLIMS ASSOCIATION IN BC

INTRODUCTION

Ugandan Muslims Association in B.C. Vancouver western canada has a Development Aid Program dedicated to developing and implementing integrated development projects at the grassroots level. With the combined expertise of professional teams and unwavering commitment to the empowerment of people and communities at the grassroots level, the company provides the highest quality of technical services and support, while assisting communities to achieve their developmental goals. The Association itself in putting people before profits and aims to promote and strengthen sustainable economic development initiatives with the application of modern technology, management and development techniques. The Ugandan Muslims Association in B.C. works with various stakeholders to develop projects and programs that meet identified community specific needs, integrating indigenous knowledge, perspectives and concerns. To this end, the Organisation has initiated the planning and development of a Rehabilitation Program for Koboko, Uganda. Phase 1 of the Koboko Rehabilitation Program will involve undertaking a pre-development project, which will support detailed business and operating plans for implementing various projects including and not limited to:

Rehabilitation of Koboko Muslims Secondary School;

Vocational Training school for People with Disabilities;

Construction of a new or rehabilitation of an existing Muslims girl’s and Boys secondary school;

Clean water projects (boreholes) across the county;

Health centres;

Scholarship program for secondary and post secondary students;

Other projects deemed as priorities by the people of Koboko.

The pre-development plan and design of projects will include consultation with stakeholders, in order to identify and effectively address needs identified as priorities for Muslims communities in Koboko. The strength of the final projects will come from community support as evidenced by reports arising from broad based community consultations undertaken by Ugandan Muslims Association in Koboko, Uganda. In order to enjoy a high level of support from Kakwa elders and local government representatives, a number of consultation sessions will be held with representatives of the Koboko Elders Association and local government officials including and not limited to Members of Parliament. A preliminary survey has revealed strong community interest in a Development and/or Rehabilitation Program targeting communities in Koboko, Uganda. Initial resources for the preliminary Pre-Development Plan will come from a variety of sources, including Ugandan Muslims Association in B.C.

Phase II will involve:

Identifying non profit partners through which to present Phase I results, along with outlines of required funding resources needed to implement and execute projects, for purposes of soliciting funds from public and private sources of funding.

OR

Establishing an organizational framework within the Koboko Elders Association, through which successful projects are managed, administered and coordinated.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KOBOKO PRE-DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The Organisations Koboko Rehabilitation Pre-Development Project is the product of a number of informal discussions held in Vancouver Western Canada, to review the present socioeconomic condition of Muslims communities in Koboko, Uganda. The resolutions of those informal discussions establish that there are immense socioeconomic challenges facing Muslims communities in Koboko. It was noted that education and economic development are a top priority for Muslims communities in Koboko. On the basis of this, the projects outlined above were identified as projects worthy of pursuit.


An informal committee was formed to determine if there would be widespread support for the concept among the elders of Koboko and other individuals and organizations in the Muslims communities of Koboko. The informal committee, under the leadership of Imam of Koboko Masjid/Mosque Cleric Ayume sent a letter to representatives of the Koboko Elders Association and a number of Members of Parliament, for input and feedback.

BACKGROUND OF THE UGANDAN MUSLIMS ASSOCIATION IN B.C. AID PROGRAM

The Ugandan Muslims Association in B.C. Aid Program is dedicated to building integrated development projects at the grassroots level. The organisation is dedicated to economic development through community groups, individuals, providing management, technical assistance, training and support systems to community-based groups. The Associations Aid Program has three program thrusts. The first is training and empowerment of groups to achieve economic self-sufficiency through small business ownership. The second is community economic development projects aimed at creating a spirit and process of enterprise that will eventually be sustained by the community. The third is the expansion of capital availability to communities.

MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES

The management and staff of Ugandan Muslims Association in B.C. have years combined experience in education, social development, management, business, etc. Many associates contribute expertise in the areas of economic development, education, training, administration, project/program management, project/program development, Muslims community development and business management.

PROJECT TITLE

Koboko Pre-Development Project

GEORGRAPHICAL AREA OF CONCENTRATION AND INTENDED AUDIENCE

The project is intended for Muslims communities in Koboko, Uganda, including women and men interested in the rehabilitation of Koboko.

PROJECT DURATION

One Year

PROJECT GOALS

To create partnerships with Muslims communities in Koboko, provide an opportunity for individuals and groups from the target Both Muslims & Non Muslims communities to provide input into a Development and Rehabilitation Program for Koboko, through Learning

PROJECT OBJECTIVES/TIME LINE OF ACTIVITIES

Weeks 3 - 4

Compile a listing of and identify individuals and groups committed to/interested in the Development and Rehabilitation of Koboko. Establish contact, explain project objectives, solicit support. Design publicity material. Publicize the project through appropriate methods. Recruit Project Leaders from communities in Koboko. Develop themes for discussion and a Learning around project areas identified as priorities. Design Learning orientation package for the Group Leaders, who will facilitate the Learning

Weeks 6 - 8

Meet and/or hold a teleconference/teleconferences with Group Leaders, to explain the project, emphasize its importance and solicit full support and participation. Discuss Learning with Group Leaders and obtain their input. Complete Learning incorporating ideas generated through the meeting(s)/teleconference(s) with Group Leaders. Provide orientation to Group Leaders. Begin holding Learning anticipated: between ten and twenty), to obtain in depth information about areas considered as priorities for Koboko and specific recommendations for project implementation at the grassroots level.

Weeks 7 - 12

Continue holding Learning Compile a draft report on Learning proceedings, ideas and recommendations generated during the Learning Distribute draft report to participants and/or individuals and groups interested in the Development and Rehabilitation of Koboko.

Weeks 15 - 16

Come up with specific recommendations and obtain input from stakeholders as to strategies to implement ideas and projects generated during the Learning Facilitate project evaluation. Identify Follow-Up Actions that will be taken as a result of the project. Develop Programs to address areas identified as priorities during the project. Design Business Plans and funding proposals with the purpose of soliciting funds from public and private sources of funding.

FUTURE PLANS

Through the present project, Ugandan Muslims Association in B.C. Charity Org. hopes to begin forming partnerships with communities in Koboko, Uganda in addressing the Development and Rehabilitation needs of Koboko. These partnerships will undoubtedly continue beyond the parameters of the present project and they will form the foundation for continued work in developing and rehabilitating Koboko. The proposed project is part of an ongoing strategy by Ugandan Muslims Association in B.C. to bring the development and rehabilitation needs of communities in Koboko, to the forefront. The need for more information about the Development and Rehabilitation needs of Koboko, prompted the project.


The project aims to strenghthen partnerships between communities in Koboko and individuals and groups committed to development. The project aims at encouraging the people of Koboko to take an active part in their own development, by involving them in discussions aimed at brainstorming ideas for improving their lot, at the grassroots level. The project will provide a foundation for continued and long term work in addressing areas identified by the people of Koboko as priority areas.

The project has the potential to change conditions for the people of Koboko, through grass roots involvement and solution oriented strategies. The project will promote broad participation by involving individuals and groups from all walks of life. It will go beyond merely presenting information to encouraging individual and group action with concrete plans of action. The project is innovative in methodology, audience and the issues addressed because it involves a grass roots approach to resolving issues that are not being addressed effectively. By Ugandan Muslims Association President. Majid Alemi Junior, in Vancouver, Western Canada. Feb.4th-2008.
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Friday, January 25, 2008
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