African Baobab implements programs in health, education and agriculture to improve the quality of life of orphans and vulnerable children affected by AIDS in Uganda.
This non-profit organization founded in 2002 by Ron and Jackie Shepherd of Needham, MA, works with a village in eastern Uganda called Sironko. We have established a strong relationship with our local partners, who own a farm and have raised over 25 orphans themselves. While African Baobab focuses on a wide range of issues, a high priority is given to the advancement of girls and women.
In cooperation with Rotary International and contributions from US donors, we have accomplished the following:
- Built a maternity ward with a full time midwife
- Given animals to women farmers who do most of the labor at home and in the field
- Replaced a mud-infested floor in the public school with a cement floor and provided 400 desks for students who previously sat on the ground
- Built a four-classroom brick preschool for over 80 children who receive free healthcare, are educated in English, and learn better hygiene practices
- Supplied food to grandmothers who are caring for their orphaned grandchildren
- Created a pen pal project for older children
This partnership has improved the lives of many individuals and lifted up the entire community. Read more about our projects.
Read about contributions from Needham Rotary
Poverty and poor nutrition, plus the proliferation of AIDS in Uganda have dramatically impacted the people of its cities and villages. One such rural village has become the focus of the work of African Baobab.
The village, like so many others in Uganda, offers few resources to its residents. In addition, the majority of the burden of farming, cleaning, cooking, childcare and education falls on the shoulders of the women residents.
Experts like Kofi Anan, head of the UN and economist Jeffrey Sachs say that the way to improve a society is to improve the education of girls and women. Alleviating the plight of ‘Gender Inequity’ is African Baobab’s primary mission.
Using gestures, smiles and digital cameras to communicate, African Baobab works with a local organization to improve the well being of children and their caretakers.
Discover our village, its people and the work of African Baobab here. Please contact us to learn more, make a donation, or help in some other way.
Paintings and cards of the orphans and grandmothers of Uganda are done by artist Paula Rosen and are available by email, srprosen@aol.com. All proceeds go to African Baobab.