Beans Means Brains is a project run by Sustainable Communities Network (UK) Charity No. 1109945
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A school lunch programme to improve the education, health and life chances of Ugandan children
How it works
Whilst here in the UK we have a big part to play in helping to ensure that the money is available to run the project, it is essential that it is owned and run by local people.
Therefore, a local community based organisation (locally registered charity) was set up to develop the project and run it on a day to day basis. In a country where corruption is sadly commonplace, everyone was keen to ensure clarity and transparency.
The Buhumba Primary School Lunch Association has a membership which includes the Head Teacher and representatives from teaching staff, parents, School Management Board, local community leaders and pupils. In this way it is strongly linked to the school but finances are kept separately.
There is a system in place to record and cross-check both finances and stocks and these are further checked by SCN (UK) during visits as well as made available to parents.
Each family is expected to make a small contribution of 2000 Ugandan Shillings - about 60 pence - per child per term towards the costs. Initially sceptical, parents soon saw the benefits of the programme and willingly contribute, though it is a struggle for many of them.
The team
Some of the members of the Buhumba Primary School Lunch Association at one of their meetings.
Together they oversee the lunch programme at their school.