To receive regular updates from this page, send an email to doug@blackdouglas.com.au with the subject: Subscribe RYDA

RYDA Annual Report 2011 Please Read

How to Support RYDA... Return to RYDA index... Previous News...

Click the picture for detail about our Guest Speaker Where is RYDA? 8 miles from Kampala off Kampala-Mityana Road, near Buloba High School & Teachers' College Latitude: 0° 19’ 27·68" North Longitude: 32° 27’ 57·70" East Google Maps link   Street children in Kampala RYDA Gift Certificates Help to change the lives of children like these. Christmas, birthday, any time you don't know what to give... now you do! Read about our RYDA Gift Certificates.

January 2012 Official Opening Dear Doug, We managed to open the new training year yesterday (Friday January 27) but with one problem - water. It's too hot this month. The sunshine is the not the usual one we are used too. Put us in your prayer that God answer our prayers for rain. Water is becoming scarce and in some communities their animals have started dying. At our center we don't have running water. We depend entirely on available resources to facilitate the purchase water for cooking, washing, cleaning and toilets. We have several tanks, but with no rain, they are almost dry. The economic situation in Uganda is difficult. Recently businesses in Kampala went on strike because of rising interest rates and the entire city was quiet. It's affecting everybody and sectors and prices are going up every day. I don't know how were going to handle the food situation. We need to stock, but currently we have not yet got the funds. For our supporters and grantors we salute them all for the support they extend which has enabled us to at least begin the new year. We look forward to continuing, regular support. Despite the challenges of the present we have a strong dream and vision to make RYDA a self-sustaining organisation. Have a blessed year and please pray daily for RYDA. Geoffrey Steven Kyeyune, Executive Director What is RYDA Training? Read this short report on RYDA's 2011 Training Programme (PDF file). Lots of photos of students are included. You may have been one of their sponsors. Before becoming involved with RYDA these young people were engaged in harsh or inappropriate child labour which would have lead to no positive future. Through RYDA they have gained a government certificate in a trade or skill that will allow them to make their own income-generating choices. Photos show they have also been given a starter kit of equipment to ensure an immediate start in their chosen new trade.

Find RYDA on Google

Colin Isherwood, St. Margaret's Uniting Church, has spent a great deal of time researching the exact position of RYDA on the face of the earth, so that we can all feel more connected to the organisation we support. Use the new Google Maps link in the left column above to explore the RYDA Centre grounds.

Geoffrey tells us ...You can now navigate and see the pavements are bordered in black and white. The vocational blocks are green roofed and there are three blocks and our office and canteen are red roofed. You can even see our water tanks.

Colin has marked these buildings with 'map pins'. Zoom out in steps and you will discover RYDA's position in the local area, its relationship to Kampala, the capital city, and its position within the country of Uganda.

Possible Support from Crossroads Hong Kong

Towards the end of 2011, RYDA made application to Crossroads Foundation, Hong Kong, for support. Crossroads takes quality donated goods from Hong Kong and redistributes them to registered organisations and charities which are doing humanitarian work around the world. St. Margaret's Church sent a letter of support with RYDA's application and has since been contacted to confirm that RYDA is willing and able to accept the conditions attached to a donation. Of course we know they are.

We hope that this personal contact from Mrs Karen Fail, International Shipment Applications Coordinator, is indicative of a decision to follow through with a container of much needed goods.

Thanks to Kalinda Primary School

In the December News we mentioned the wonderful support given by the students of Kalinda Primary school in raising $639 by starting their own businesses as part of their Business World studies. Geoffrey sent a letter of thanks to Lyse Carlson, the co-ordinating teacher, as follows:

Dear Lyse Carlson,

I have been informed by Doug Williams about the fund-raising you made on the market day purposely for Charity. This time you chose our organisation to be supported. Let me take this opportunity on behalf of the Rubaga Youth Development Association (RYDA) to write to acknowledge the cheque of $639 which you handed over to the treasurer of St. Margaret's Uniting Church on our behalf. Indeed this donation will be utilized properly for the purpose of enhancing the RYDA programme

Through you let me extend our sincere appreciation to the school administration , teachers and the school children for choosing our organisation for this wonderful support.

Geoffrey Steven Kyeyune, Executive Director

Have you seen the new opening page for the RYDA site. Hopefully it will make it even easier for you to find out all you need to know about RYDA's past, present and future.

Previous News