Fount of Mercy
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I think Fount of Mercy is an amazing organization. My first experience with Fount was when I traveled with my church's youth group to TAOST. Fount set our youth group up at TAOST where we assisted the teachers during the morning lessons. Teaching English was a huge focus and we utilized fun games, songs, and readings to help the children learn. During the afternoon sessions we led vacation bible school activities (i.e. games, arts and crafts,...) and played a lot of football (or soccer :)) As a chaperon, I was extremely nervous to take these youth to a third world country that none of us had every experienced. Fount of Mercy met with us multiple times in order to prepare us for this trip. They covered everything from team building exercises, to differences in the culture, to what to pack, to even going over our lesson plans and activities. Once on the ground in Jinja, Uganda Fount's attention to detail continued. Lori, an employee of Fount, handled our lodging, transportation, food, and also planned activities away from TAOST for our youth to see even more of Uganda. I was so impressed with Fount of Mercy's mission of assisting grass root African organizations to care for and educate orphans that I immediately began planning a trip for the following year. I felt a bond with the children of TAOST so me and two friends decided to travel back. Fount of Mercy representatives were just as awesome if not even more so in planning for this trip. They took the skills of our three person team and focused on how we could best benefit TAOST. With Fount's help we set up lesson plans to include a variety of instructional strategies for the morning sessions and the afternoon sessions would then be spent with teaching the teachers how to incorporate these strategies into their lessons. While the trip was a lot of work, it was extremely rewarding. I often wonder if the trip did more for me then my work did at TAOST. However, I do know the lessons the teachers of TAOST learned from our time there will benefit the children for years to come. Fount of Mercy allowed me to use some of my skills and education to help others. Fount made the trip planning easy so we were able to really focus on the mission of helping. Looking forward to my third trip back!
Photos
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen the smiles and felt the hugs of the children of TAOST. I taught lessons to orphans in an old barn and gone back the following year to teach these children with four walls and a blackboard. The work that Fount does in tangible and meaningful.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give them more money. As with all non profits, Fount of Mercy is limited on how many organizations they can assist in Uganda because of money. I feel the ground work for Fount has been set. Now they just need the means to continue their wonderful work.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
everything. I know this is very generic but it is honest. The time with Fount of Mercy in Jinja, Uganda has influenced all areas of my life.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
compassionate, kind, and fun.
Ways to make it better...
the airfare to Entebbe is cheaper so I could go back more often.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
fund raising. Because Fount is working with local African organizations it is hard to engage citizens in the U.S. The whole "out of sight out of mind" mentality.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
FOM works with small grassroots organizations in Uganda that serve vulnerable populations many of whom are women. There are many widows, single mothers, women with disabilities and orphaned/vulnerable girl children. FOM works to build the capacity of these organizations that serve these disenfranchised groups by jointly developing programs and projects that benefit the poorest women and girl children. One of the main ways that women are empowered is by integrating them into a viable income generating activity. An example is sewing and tailoring for which FOM pays for the training courses of women in the villages so they can learn to be tailors, generate income and support their families. Another instance of empowering young girls and women is through FOM's joint educational initiatives with community based schools that allow children who do not have the money to pay for school fees to receive an elementary education. FOM is an amazing ngo, because they utilize local knowledge, resources and incorporates the sustainability approach in all their development initiatives. The goal of all development endeavors and activities is to help achieve self-sustainability of the grassroots organization, poor communities and the most vulnerable individuals of those communities. This is done by building on the existing capacities of the stakeholders so poorest of the poor will have more choices regarding their lives and those of their families.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Through site visitations, working directly with the organizations and beneficiaries, as well as monitoring and evaluating the process and impact of programs and organizations on the communities, I have seen the effective results of FOM's work.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Fount of Mercy is doing some incredible work in the New York City area. They are making great strides in benefitting widows of AIDS in Uganda by teaching them how to sew. Sewing Hope, under Fount of Mercy, creates a beautiful blend that combines the needs of Uganda with the overflow of New York City by throwing a high end fashion show that features garments made with Ugandan fabric. Their events are as chic as any event here in NYC, and it's all for a good cause.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
helping change the lives of widows in Uganda.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Wonderful people to for/with. A HIGHLY organized and hard-working group of people, and, most importantly, a cause this is so worthy. Tell your story here and help others understand this charity
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
changing the lives of women in Uganda by helping purchase sewing machines, and offering training so that these women can start their own small business...and it's working!
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I'm privileged to know the directors of Fount of Mercy and Sewing hope. I have seen the growth of this vision and I'm glad to now see the benefits. I have seen all the potential they have to serve our people in Uganda. The trainings that have been given to both women and children is grate as we see transitions made in the women's lives as they learn skills and get to feel useful in our communities. You may not know this yet, but you did put a smile on my mother at Lwanda and my Aunty, who have lost all hope after they lost the only bread winners they had in their lives -husbands. Being part of a group with ability to learn and improve in different skills especially sewing, is giving many hope to seek for their own means of income.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen women and children under training with smiles on their faces and no doubt a renewed hope. I have also talked to several of the women that have gone through training and heard their voices of hope. Hoping to continually improve on their skills.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
No doubt solicit more funding for Fount of Mercy and Sewing hope, so that more women and children will be helped.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
I've enjoyed knowing the groups and seeing them put smiles on women and children' faces here.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
All geared towards wanting to serve and do all they can do to leave a skill or a smile and help in any way.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Improve the way our communities look at women and also help grow up children who have a stand in our communities.
Ways to make it better...
I would have more times to move along with you guys in most of the areas that you are serving in.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
All financial as this kind of gesture grows as more communities opens up with such needs of this great service. More funds will surely be needed.
One thing I'd also say is that...
There is many communities that are in great need and please prepare to reach there as well. My people in Kaliro will need your services and of course Arua and Nebbi as well. Be prepared.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I have had the absolute pleasure of working with Fount of Mercy's project Director for Sewing Hope, Tara Hawks, in planning and executing the annual fashion show fundraiser in New York city. From day one, Tara and her team had a clear vision and passion for this project that was easily contagious. Seeing the need in Uganda for women to have marketable skills, Sewing Hope has found a way to turn the NY fashion industry into their source for support. It was inspiring to see some of New York's talented and acclaimed designers create and donate garments made from African fabric to raise money that will go directly back to purchase sewing machines, fabric, and support the training of women in Uganda. What's even better is that Sewing Hope is seeing these women form partnerships and support each other. They are actively encouraged to reinvest in their growing garment businesses. I am so impressed with how Sewing Hope/Fount of Mercy shows stewardship of its funds. Every decision in the planning of the event was focused on how it will best serve the women in Uganda. From the raffle, to the guest refreshments (our wine sponsor was a company owned and operated by two women out of CA), Sewing Hope has aligned itself with donors, volunteers, and vendors that support empowering women and are eager to see growth for Sewing Hope and, therefore, Fount of Mercy's global impact.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Showing annual growth in numbers of attendees, donors for the fashion show, and net amount earned. Also, the event went so seamlessly... truly a testament to the exemplary nature of the team at Sewing Hope. I want to bring them to every event we do!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
make it bigger so it can make a larger impact on more women!
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
they are grateful. Everywhere you turn, your efforts are recognized. It is well managed, and from the top down they foster a culture of thankfulness.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
one-of-a-kind awesome. I wish I could work with this exact team on every event we do!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change the world. They really need to have the Director on salary so she can work on this full time. But of course, most of it would go to expansion of teams in multiple countries.
Ways to make it better...
We could have more awareness of the event and get more people there, but we've seen growth, so I have confidence we'll see more next year!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
limits with funds. A little more funding support would go a long way with this project.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I'll be a life long supporter :)
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I traveled to Kampala and Jinja, Uganda with Fount of Mercy in August 2009. While in Uganda I worked with three different indigenous orphan care organizations to better understand accountability and bookkeeping. I "audited" their records and provided training and templates so that each of their systems could be improved going forward. The Fount personnel I spent time with truly had pure intentions in their work with orphan care organizations in Uganda and they had the experience and knowledge to do things right. Fount is a small organization and as such they are careful to not stretch themselves too thin. Being involved with Fount truly changed my life. I came back from my trip to Uganda knowing that I want to be involved in economic development in poverty stricken countries. Seeing economic development done "right" through Fount's Sewing Hope program and the program I was involved in really gave me courage to pursue my dream. Since returning from that trip I have left my career in finance and accounting and am now working at a startup non-profit focused on business training and microfinance in poverty areas.
Photos
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Since my trip in August 2009 I've had several updates from Lori (Fount of Mercy's director who lives in Jinja) about the project I worked on. She's reported that they are using my templates and that an improvement in bookkeeping has been seen.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I had a unique window into the Sewing Hope wing of the Font of Mercy organization. I watched 24 hours of random footage detailing the women involved in a tailoring program which was set up to train AIDS widows in sewing so that they'd have income and can keep their families together. I was impressed by how Fount of Mercy finds ways to fund and provide supplies and technical assistance to already existing organizations which are run by Ugandan nationals. That way, these orgs are on their way to self-sufficiency. I was really impressed with all I saw in this footage, and how the women are drawn into the process of deciding what they need.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the stories of the women who have been through the Sewing Hope program. I also went to Uganda in January 2011 and experienced their programs and people first hand. I even met one of the graduates of the Sewing Hope program and we became friends. It was great to hear first-hand about how the program helped her, and to see her set of fierce skills!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
If I could, I'd fund them better!
More feedback...
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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