DEVELOPMENT COMPANIONS INTERNATIONAL
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : i**o@d***s.o*g
Mission Statement
Providing adult literacy education, including small business training, to mostly women in rural Uganda. Our literacy students receive training in reading and writing in English and their local language. They learn math and good health practices and an understanding of local laws that apply to them. Over 1,300 graduates in 10 years, representing nearly 10,000 people, are now equipped to earn money for their families and provide food and school fees for their children. They open small businesses, increase food production on small farms and sell excess in markets. Graduates are serving on local government councils. Many go on to further training. They develop self-esteem and their families and villages benefit from their education. DCI provides community health outreach which is improving the health of villagers. Training is also provided for village leaders to help them become better leaders. We are eager to expand to new villages and regions which are begging for our services and our current literacy classes have waiting lists.
About This Cause
Development Companions International is a non-profit charity registered in Washington State, founded in 1992. We began our present work in Uganda on a full time basis in 2005, developing programs in cooperation with rural indigenous churches to bring development to their communities. We feel that the only development that will work is that which comes out of local people identifying their needs and buying into the program. Our biggest effort has been with the adult literacy program, which local leaders determined was the biggest need that could be addressed by DCI. Meetings were held with indigenous leaders and teachers to determine community needs and develop a curriculum. The result was a 30 month course of study to teach literacy in both the local language and English, the national language; math through fractions; personal and community health topics; agricultural skills; and civics, which includes making students aware of laws that protect them but which have been ignored. There is a big emphasis on entrepreneurial training. Teachers have been trained at a highly regarded UN program on small business and students are required to start some sort of money-making enterprise as a group before graduation. These small businesses are registered with the local government and become eligible for some government help. There are additional business seminars after graduation. Something as simple as learning how to count money and make change has empowered women to fight back against cheating in the market place. Our program has changed the lives of the 1000 graduates to date and also of their families. DCI is a small organization with a big impact. As funds become available we hope to expand our programs in Uganda and perhaps neighboring countries that have similar needs. In 2015 we have over 1,000 prospective students eager to get into our classes. Because the need is great, DCI has a local medical person on staff to conduct village outreach programs, visit schools, and teach health related subjects to students in the literacy classes. This is saving lives as villagers learn about hygiene, healthy diet, and how to recognize symptoms that require immediate medical attention. DCI has a separate program to develop church leaders by bringing in teachers from the US for training not available locally. We also provide a study center containing books and computers for the leaders’ use. DCI operates with only one US worker in Uganda. All teachers and other staff are indigenous. Funds raised are used to pay for Uganda teachers and staff, as well as the US director, and expenses of maintaining a presence in Uganda. Class sites are provided by local villages and students and village sponsors are being encouraged to contribute some costs, as well as facilities. As more money becomes available, DCI is prepared to expand its reach. Volunteers do all the work at the US office. DCI welcomes visitors to its Uganda program and seeks volunteers with certain skills to spend a few weeks or longer. For information, contact us at info@dcius.org