When investing in people isn’t ‘bore-ing’ – Amigos appeal sees a great response

Three new freshwater boreholes will be installed for rural communities in Uganda thanks to an amazing response from people in North Devon prompted by a generous local company that matched half the £15,000 cost.

In less than two months the borehole appeal launched by Amigos Worldwide has raised £8,500 with Gift Aid and the other half of the cost for three boreholes has been matched by the Philip J Milton & Company Plc Charitable Foundation.

It means the Barnstaple-based charity can now construct three more boreholes in remote rural Ugandan communities at a cost of £5,000 each and help to transform the lives of more than 2,000 people.

READ MORE: Life or death – North Devon asked to step up for vital water borehole appeal

Women and children in those villages will no longer have to walk miles to collect water, a sometimes dangerous journey - and the water they do find will often be contaminated and cause illness.

Instead it gives the adults more time to work and improve the lives of their families, while the children are able to attend school and gain an education.

Above: Clean fresh water helps to transform rural Ugandan communities. Credit: Amigos Worldwide

The ongoing Amigos campaign to install boreholes is led by the charity’s Ugandan staff on the ground and uses local contractors for the construction.

In the several years it has been running it has been hugely successful, with one borehole often serving several communities.

The latest appeal saw Philip J Milton & Company Plc offer to match half the cost of each borehole, to a total of £7,500, with people in North Devon and Amigos supporters responding quickly to raise the rest.

James Lewis, CEO at Amigos Worldwide, said there had been a great response to the appeal and many had made donations because of the generous match funding offer.

He said: “It is very clear how important clean water is for anyone, wherever they are. So many rural communities in Uganda have to rely on inconsistent water sources that are dirty and often shared with animals. 

“A borehole is such a transformational solution but comes with a cost. The offer of match funding from the Philip J Milton & Company Plc Charitable Foundation was a great catalyst inspiring people to give generously. We have been able to fund three new boreholes in Northern Uganda, which will bless so many.”

The Uganda country director for Amigos, Robina Kyoshabire, explained how the boreholes help to transform lives. She said: “When we start to work with new communities, the number one thing that they want is clean water.

“Having three new boreholes will mean that around 2,000 people will now be free from the burden of walking miles to collect dirty water that brings disease and illness, it is such a blessing.”

Above: Villagers in Uganda do not miss walking miles every day just to fetch dirty water. Credit: Amigos Worldwide

Philip J Milton & Company Plc has been a supporter of Amigos since it began and in that time has match funded and sponsored five boreholes that are literally a game-changer for rural villages.

Managing Director Philip Milton said on behalf of the Company and Charitable Foundation he wanted to thank all those who had supported such a worthy cause. 

He said: “We were happy to step-up when prior support faltered and your engagement has multiplied our own contribution in such an invaluable way.

“We have supported our community and charitable activities for all of our Firm’s 40-year existence and as part of that, we do our utmost with our connections and resources to help promote and publicise what great charities like Amigos do and as a way of raising their profiles with the public and businesses to help them achieve more of their own goals, as well as new supporters.

“Needless to say too we appreciate philanthropy with our own clients as part of our financial advisory assistance and we welcome enquiries from anyone who we may be able to assist with their own needs.

“We hope too our engagement gives opportunity for charity recipients of our help and their supporters to imagine a small redefinition of the idea of philanthropic connectivity with donors rather than just a case of ‘where’s the cheque’ which sadly seems to pervade many requests for help, etc.”

Almost three quarters of the Ugandan population work in agriculture - many on small-scale, subsistence farms. Amigos works closely with communities to equip them with modern farming skills and resources such as boreholes. It also runs the Kira Farm training centre teaching vital skills to young Ugandans.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Amigos, which was originally founded by Phil Pugsley and began life as a printed greetings card appeal, but became so much more.

Philip J Milton & Company Plc is also celebrating its 40th anniversary and as part of that, has launched the 40th Legacy Awards, inviting good causes to apply for one of £1,000 grants for specific projects or appeals.

READ NEXT: Devon company celebrates 40 years by offering £40,000 in grants to 40 good causes

You can find out more about Amigos Worldwide and its many initiatives helping people in Uganda and the Sudan at https://www.amigos.org.uk