Medical Dr. Uta Steigler from Germany has donated the first ever solar fridge to MIFUMI Health centre to enable us to store our own drugs. Dr Steigler visited the health centre in 2004 and was impressed with the dedication of the staff.
The irregular power cuts have affected the health centre drug storage. Previously MIFUMI health centre had to keep its drugs at another health centre about 20 kilometres away from the health centre which proved to be a great inconvenience during emergencies. The solar fridge will solve these inconveniences.
MIFUMI is very grateful for this generous donation.
Archive for October, 2010
MIFUMI Health Centre receives Solar fridge from Dr. Uta Steigler
October 21st, 2010Movement Building Men takes the lead in the fight to end violence against women
October 21st, 2010MIFUMI vibrant men’s movement which goes by the name Movement Building Men (MBM) is a community-based grassroots initiative spear- heading the campaign on change of attitudes towards women for a more positive community action to end violence against women.
By involving men as part of a solution to combating violence against women, MBM believes that men will begin to take responsibility for their actions, choose not to use violence, and develop a new definition of what it means to be ‘a man’.
Grouville School, Jersey donates to MIFUMI Primary School
October 21st, 2010Grouville School and Jersey Overseas Aid has generously made donations to MIFUMI Primary school again.
Recently, Mifumi Primary school received numerous donations ranging from scholastic materials to utensils. With funding from Jersey, a new kitchen is being erected in place of a shack that existed then.
‘John Carnegie is more than our beneficiary, he is our friend, and the children call him daddy now. We are grateful and thankful for these donations.’
Bernard Onyango Headmaster MIFUMI Primary School.
Chair, MIFUMI UK organises a fundraising the pupils of MIFUMI.
October 21st, 2010Meg Wyld , Chair MIFUMI UK is organising a fundraising event in Winsor UK whose proceeds will benefit disadvantaged children of Mifumi Primary school.
Meg Wyld and her friends have since the inception of Mifumi primary school supported pupils who have excelled in their Primary Leaving Exams but are unable to continue to secondary school for various reasons. The Scholarship scheme founded by Meg sponsors these children in their secondary education.
This year’s scholarship beneficiaries were Nanzirina Aketch, James Omollo, Vincent Drileba and Rosemary Auma.
Movement Building Men takes the lead in the fight to end violence against women
October 21st, 2010MIFUMI vibrant men’s movement which goes by the name Movement Building Men (MBM) is a community-based grassroots initiative spear- heading the campaign on change of attitudes towards women for a more positive community action to end violence against women.
By involving men as part of a solution to combating violence against women, MBM believes that men will begin to take responsibility for their actions, choose not to use violence, and develop a new definition of what it means to be ‘a man’.
Raise your sons to become gender sensitive men
October 20th, 2010Parents play a vital role reducing violence against women by raising sons in safe and loving homes. There is a cultural tendency in Africa to raise boys to deny their feelings and also to view women and girls as the inferior sex this results in problems in their relationships as adults.
MIFUMI offers counseling services to children who experience or witness abuse of women at her advice centres on Tororo District.
MIFUMI more than determined to see the Bride Price Petition appeal heard by the highest courts of law in the land.
October 20th, 2010On Monday 11th October 2010, MIFUMI lawyers walked out of the Supreme Court more confident to see the Bride Price case heard at the highest court possible even after the judges adjourned the hearing to a later date.
Last year on Thursday 26th March 2009, MIFUMI’s petition on bride price was brought before a panel of 5 judges for hearing. The petition called for a reform in the bride price institution so Bride Price becomes a gift that is freely given and received.
Some of the judges did maintain that demanding a refund in the event of dissolution of the marriage demeans and undermines the dignity of a woman and violates the Constitution.
Though the judges at the Supreme Court dismissed MIFUMI’s request to present new evident, they did find the case of both importance and interest prompting them to adjourn the hearing to a later date.
At the constitutional court, MIFUMI submitted 32 affidavits from women, young men and widows who have been abused as a result of bride price.
Patrick Ndira, the Deputy Executive Director of MIFUMI said MIFUMI would continue with her campaigns and advocacy against the bad practices in the payment of bride Price.
MIFUMI has long argued that Bride Price forces women to continue to live in violent relationships as their parents cannot take them back without the refund.
The Supreme Court to hear MIFUMI Bride Price Case Petition appeal this Monday 11th October 2010.
October 20th, 2010This Monday 11th October 2010, the Supreme Court hearing will present a fresh ray of hope to the many women who had despaired when the constitutional court failed the petition.
On Tuesday 8th September 2009, MIFUMI’s petition on bride price was brought before a panel of 5 judges for hearing. The petition called for a reform in the bride price institution so Bride Price becomes a gift that is freely given and received.
However, four out of a panel of five judges wanted more evidence from MIFUMI connecting bride price and domestic violence.
Some of the judges did maintain that, though the constitution does not prohibit a voluntary, mutual agreement between a bride and a groom to enter into the bride price agreement, demanding a refund in the event of dissolution of the marriage demeans and undermines the dignity of a woman and violates the Constitution. One judge stood by MIFUMI’s position that bride price subjects a woman to slave like treatment.
MIFUMI has long argued one of the problems with Bride Price is that it forces women to continue to live in violent relationships as their parents cannot take them back without the refund.
Research by MIFUMI and two internationally acclaimed researchers revealed that bride price had mainly negative effects judging from the 61% of those interviewed.
Some of the negative effects highlighted included:
• Men having to borrow widely and thus causing debt and impoverishment
• Women becoming articles of property in their own homes
• Bride Price makes it very hard for women to leave or return home on mistreatment, as bride price may not be able to be paid back
• Early girl child marriage
• Deprivation of education for girls who are seen as a source of wealth
• Exposure of young women and children to HIV.
Atuki Turner, Executive Director of MIFUMI said,
‘The payment of bride price is a cherished practice that has been abused. We have had a lot of support from women who continue to suffer due to the refund of bride price. This appeal will have significant impact on the lives of our most vulnerable women in Uganda.’
