Community-woman-in-church.-Bulambuli

International Women’s Day in Bulambuli

On the 8th March, International Women’s Day, I will have the privilege of visiting the women farmers of the Bulambuli region in Uganda with NGO Communities for Development. Inequity and injustice are suffered by women throughout the world and this valley in East Africa is no exception. Cultural tradition often dictates that women should live a life choose by their …

Dragons’ Den in the Valley

“It’s not been easy,” says Sandra, Communities for Development Co-Founder and Committe member. “But the best I think is yet to come.” The three groups of entrepreneurs look nervously toward one another: it’s show time. Today is a one-time opportunity to pitch their startup proposals with the hope of securing crucial backing from the Communities for Development panel. You could cut …

The Art of Saving

“What is saving?” expert Joyce asks the room. “Moses, can you tell me?” It’s been one year since the Bulambuli community saving group Buyaga Vision first learnt the rules and regulations of holding their own saving groups on a weekly basis. And Joyce is taking no prisoners testing who can recall the core principles of saving. “It’s crucial to revisit …

TED-Style Talk in the Valley: Ideas Worth Spreading

“Entrepreneurs are risk-takers,” Ugandan entrepreneur Saleh Naminya told a packed out village church in Busabulo, Uganda. It may not have been your typical setting for a motivational talk on entrepreneurship – but the sentiment and execution were just the stuff of those powerful short videos from experts on business and creativity made popular the world over by the TED talk format. …

Girl reading Wired

Charity Film Awards 2017 at BAFTA celebrate creativity in filmmaking from charities

As a sector, the non-profit community have perhaps not always been ahead of the curve in their communication efforts. But with the boom in social media seeing no sign of abating, and the way we consume content increasingly moving toward a multi-media, multi-channel experience, charities have had to rethink their approach to promoting engagement. “We’re operating in a world where one …

#BeBoldForChange: International Women’s Day 2017

It’s been a tumultuous year for women’s rights. Having enjoyed incremental progress over decades, we’ve been inching ever closer to gender equality at home and on the international stage. Now for the first time, that progress looks to be under serious threat and concern is rising that much hard work will be undone. But, as ever, women – and men – …

Postcard from the Valley

Dear beloved CfD followers, We do apologise for the radio silence. Far from idle though, we’ve been busy bees over the last few months. And now we are back with a vengeance to tell you about all the hard work that’s been going on in CfD’s London HQ and out in Bulambuli Valley – and what’s in store for 2017. #BackOurValley Campaign …