Daventry district celebrating 21 year link with town in Africa

The Daventry and District Friends of Iganga work on projects to help improve life for people living in the town, situated in central Uganda.

The group is inviting people to find out more about them at an event at Daventry Methodist Church, in Golding Close off Lodge Road, on Wednesday, April 13 at 7.15pm.

Following a short Annual General Meeting, the evening will be an opportunity to hear about the latest projects as well as explore opportunities to get involved.

Daventry’s link with the Ugandan town was formed by Daventry District Council in 1995 as part of a national scheme to encourage UK authorities to forge partnerships with their counterparts in sub-Saharan Africa.

It led to an engineering project to improve drainage in Iganga, and the donation of a refurbished bin lorry to help clear the streets of rubbish.

Projects to provide safe water supplies, create a new park, develop a health centre and improve facilities at an orphanage and centre for the blind have all followed, largely thanks to the work of fundraisers and volunteers from the Friends group, a registered charity set up to maintain the partnership.

Members of the group still regularly visit Iganga, as do a number of Daventry district schools, and there are a number of projects planned for the near future, including the installation of a new water tank and shelter at the Iganga Health Centre.

Chairman of the group David Walsh said: “On the face of it Daventry has very little in common with Iganga but we have forged a unique friendship over the last 21 years that has proved beneficial to both areas, as well as extremely rewarding for everyone who has been involved.

“There are lots of great opportunities for local people to get involved in our projects and I would urge people to come along to our open event on April 13 to find out more.”

For more information about the group find them on Facebook or phone Jan Morrott on 01327 871377.