Wednesday, September 4, 3-5pm, Student Center Ampitheater
Since 2016, Clarkson University’s Engineers for International Sustainability (Engineers Without Borders and Engineers for a Sustainable World) have partnered with donors and organizations in Syracuse to assist Legal and Charitable Aid Uganda and the sub-county governments in which they operate to develop and implement strategies for poverty alleviation, improved education and public health. Recent projects include installation of ground water and elevated storage systems, and design of gravity flow drinking water treatment and distribution systems, food production systems for area schools, and education programming to improve access to STEM education for K-12 students as well as support for conservation efforts in the nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The Republic of Uganda is a developing country situated in equatorial east-central Africa, and bordered by Kenya to the east, South Sudan to the North, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, and to the south, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Lake Victoria – the source of the Nile River. Regarded as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is rich in natural resources, wildlife, and variety of ecosystems. There are 60 protected areas and ten national parks highlighting the diverse ecosystems and wildlife of Uganda. Uganda also claims three UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (home to half the world’s mountain gorillas), Mountain Rwenzori National Park (aka, the Mountains of the Moon, including the third highest peak in Africa), and the Kasubi Tombs in Kampala (a burial place for the Kings of Bagunda). Despite a rich history and natural resources, social problems contribute significantly to Uganda remaining one of the poorest nations in the World. Poverty is deeply rooted in the country’s rural areas, home to 84% of Ugandans, and disproportionately affects women and children, especially female children. Major social issues include poor access to food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, health care services, education, and energy resources, and poorly-developed infrastructure. Improved access to water and sanitation has been identified as a key strategy to fight poverty in Uganda.
Legal and Charitable Aid Uganda (LECAU) is a non-governmental organization that is strategically engaged in legal and charitable work. Their operations focus on Munkunyu, Nyakiyumbu, Kyabarungira, Kisinga, Karusandara, and Kitswamba sub-counties of the Kasese District, but include any other areas of Uganda as needed. LECAU has found leadership for many years under the direction of Ngamije Mbale Faishal, a Magistrate Grade One at Uganda Courts of Judicature, and six additional founding members. LECAU engages in socio-economic, cultural promotion strategies that reduce legal, socio-economic, and cultural injustices towards raising the standards of living of disadvantaged people. Their concerted efforts promote the development of all people regardless of gender, creed, or tribal and political affiliations. Activities include human rights awareness, gender training, distribution of materials to the needy, environmental awareness, water, sanitation and health, educational programming and promotion, shelter construction, support of youth in sports, advocacy, and consultancy and training.
Come and meet Ngamije Faishal and learn more about these efforts in a campus-wide meet and greet social event in the Student Center Forum from 3-5pm on Wednesday, September 4. For more information on how you might be able to support these efforts, please contact Dr. Shane Rogers, Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering (srogers@clarkson.edu; x6501)
