News
19 Aug 2010APP at Mulago Hospital
As part of the commitment to healthcare for prisoners, along with the refurbishment of clinics, APP staff attend to prisoners admitted to Mulago Hospital to offer moral support and assist with basic needs and care. Here are the stories of just a few:
Director General Alexander Mclean attended Mulago hospital in June with volunteers from the UK after being informed of a prisoner from a rural prison who had been admitted after he had been shot. His name was Isaac, his leg was badly broken and was being treated however he had a small supply of food and no soap to bathe. APP provided water, tea, food, soap and a cup and basin and offered support to the warden who was caring for him.
A lady had been admitted from Luzira women’s prison with suspected liver problems, she had no basic necessities so APP supplied her with food, tea, bed sheets, sanitary towels, shoes and underwear to restore her dignity and provide comfort in the knowledge that she had support. We later met her again in the clinic at Luzira prison which APP had refurbished, a much more pleasant environment than the conditions at Mulago. She has diabetes and is receiving continuous care and being given the correct nutrition for her condition.
On this particular visit, one of the volunteers noticed a young man in the corner of the ward, he was laying in a bed on a very thin mattress, he had only one sheet which he was using to cover himself. He was alone, and handcuffed to the bed. He was very afraid when we approached him, he was lying in dirty clothes and had not eaten for 4 days. His name was Charles, he was 30 years old, he was not being attended to as the nurses were too fearful of the other patients on the ward who only knew him as a thief and therefore in their opinion, he should be left to die. His wife came in and very quickly left after being intimidated by the other patients, she was not seen again. It was thought that he would not survive, however during the days he was at Mulago, he received daily care from APP staff, he was cleaned given food and much needed medical attention including an x-ray which revealed his fractured skull and broken hand. Charles was later sentenced and taken to the clinic at Luzira prison. When Alexander visited him later in August he had been discharged from the clinic and was recovering well.
One other prisoner named Max had been admitted to Mulago during our visit, he was in a very poor condition. When he was taken to the ward from A&E, the APP volunteers bathed him and provided clean bed sheets. He was in a coma, not long after, Max passed away. However in his last few hours, he was being cared for and was given a small amount of peace and dignity.
APP provide healthcare and dignity to the prisoners admitted to Mulago who otherwise may not receive the much needed care. In the case of Charles, he was given back his basic human rights and who knows, would he have even survived?
18 Aug 2010Opening of the Healthcare Clinic at Gulu
On 25th June 2010, African Prisons Project celebrated the opening of the Healthcare Clinic at Gulu.
Gulu healthcare clinic
Director General Alexander Mclean along with APP team members Victor and Bea Wildeman, APP staff and volunteers from the US and UK travelled the 5 hour journey to Gulu in Northern Uganda to join inmates and prison staff for the opening ceremony, which was also attended by representatives from the Red Cross and the Guest of honour, the Gulu Resident District Commissioner. Other guests included members the Hospice Africa team.
The level lll clinic is the first of its kind constructed by APP. After many months of hard work, including traveling the long distance on several occasions by trustees, volunteers and members of the APP team, the end result is an impressive size, bright, clean structure which will serve medical needs such as maternity care, outpatients and HIV/AIDS testing and councelling for inmates, prison staff, their families and the local community.
To open the ceremony, speeches were given by Alexander Mclean, Victor Wildeman who introduced the APP attendees, the Red Cross, the Gulu District Commissioner and other prison officials. These were followed by the presentation of gifts to recognise the hard work and give gratitude to the 15 inmates who had volunteered to work with the contractors in the construction of the clinic. Each of the inmates were named and individually presented with a gift of a basin, soap, sugar and a flask all of which were supplied by APP.
Gulu clinic opening
The red ribbon was cut to signify the official opening and the guests were given a tour of the clinic. Following which we were treated to an impressive and entertaining display of traditional african dancing performed to drums and singing. A performance we were later informed that had been co-ordinated and rehearsed endlessly by the inmates. The females were wearing modest dance clothing which they had made themselves especially for the occasion.
We all shared a meal together and finished the day spending quality time talking with the guests and inmates, some of the team spent a great deal of time playing with the children of the inmates and prison wardens. Spirits were high there was a real sense of hope and appreciation.
27 Jul 2010Wonderful Painting
Today we had a visitor arrive at our APP office. This happens often – people who have heard about APP, read something in the newspaper, seen Alexander on TV or got to know about APP in another way. Most often these are Ugandan people who are looking for a job. Of course, we listen to them and tell them how we work and what the possibilities are.
Eight months in Prison
Rlowland with his painting
However, today it was different. A young man, called Rlowland O. Turyamureeba, came in with a wonderful painting that he had painted for the APP office, because he was so thankful about everything APP did and is still doing. When asked how he got in contact with APP he told us he had been released three weeks ago, having been in the Remand Prison in Kampala, Uganda for 8 months. It had been the most terrible time of his life. The one thing that gave him hope during that time was the APP Library. He said he spent almost all his time in that building: “I had so much troubles, from time to time I couldn’t think in a normal way any more. But when I went to the Library I could read books or draw paintings and forgot for a moment all my problems”. He told us what a difference this made for him. He explained how “on a Saturday Alexander McLean came in to the library with a very important lady from the UK and I could give this lady one of the portraits I made. On that moment I got back hope and dignity. APP gave that back to me”.
Reintegration
Now Rlowland is living with his sister who is a nurse. However, what he really wants is to earn his own money and start a new life. He is a wonderful artist and APP is proud to be able to show this photograph of his painting on our website. If you are impressed with the painting and would like to find out more then please contact Rlowland (+256 776303654 / (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) or contact APP Uganda.
Reintegration is one of the four areas that APP works in. This is a great opportunity to help somebody back into society and to stay out of Prison.
22 Jul 2010British Prisoners support APP
In a wonderful gesture of goodwill, prisoners from HM Prison Kingston in Portsmouth donated money to the African Prisons Project after attending a talk on the plight of those incarcerated in Africa.
Alexander McLean, Abi Harper and Maria Cotera, of African Prisons Project, visited HM Prison Kingston on Tuesday 20th July 2010 to raise awareness about APP – never was it expected that the prisoners may also be able to help with fundraising. However, after being touched by the stories of prisoners in Africa, they did just that.
Approximately 40 people attended the talk which also included photographs of APP’s work and some songs played from the ‘Condemned Choirs’ CD. One song in particular struck the prisoners, causing everyone to sit in silence as a woman on death row in Uganda sang the words:
“It is true we have accepted that we made a mistake.
We plead for your forgiveness in repentance.
The death penalty should be abolished
We won’t do it again
We are broken
Do not kill us
We are so sorry”
Thank you to all that took part in the talk. After feeling inspired by the reaction of those at HM Prison Kingston, we hope that APP’s relationships with prisons all over the UK can be further developed for raising awareness and fundraising.
08 Jul 2010Fundraising Intern Vacancy
APP is looking for an entrepreneurial and outgoing individual to run short-term fundraising events in the summer of 2010.
Do you Want experience in charity fundraising?
JOB DESCRIPTION: Fundraising Intern
The Fundraising Intern will be responsible for raising funds for African Prisons Project by holding events or selling APP merchandise throughout the summer. It is a full-time position with flexible working hours. The successful candidate(s) will be expected to work together within a team of other interns or on their own. They will be managed from a distance and, thus, the candidate should feel comfortable working independently. They will report to the UK Operations Officer who will set individual/group fundraising targets, which, if they meet, will be recognized:
- On the APP website;
- In our newsletter;
- Through a reference for future employers; and
- A certificate outlining their achievements
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who wants experience in charity fundraising and event management. The APP Newsletter and website are viewed by a wide range of individuals from corporations, charities and government so if you want to get your name noticed - apply now!
The candidate should be entrepreneurial, pro-active, confident and creative. Please demonstrate this in your CV and cover letter.
Submit your CV and covering letter to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Further information:
Fundraising Intern Advert (Word Document)
Fundraising Intern Job Description (Word Document)
ENTER NOW before it is too late!
26 Jun 2010APP Knitting Course - so much more than knitting
At the beginning of June 2010, APP Uganda started the second knitting course with 12 women in the Luzira Women Prison in Kampala.
Knitted dolls from the UK before the women could knit them themselves
Since most of the women took the knitting starters course, they were able to work on more difficult items such as dolls, toys and sweaters. The classes take place twice a week. When the women knit, they concentrate intently and there can be silence for a very long time. There are also moments of high energy and fine conversation. They talk about what happened to them, why they came in prison and what they learned from it. They talk about their relatives – although some of them have no one.
Mats to sit on
The hard working knitting class at Luzira Women Prison
Janet (not her real name), for example, comes from Kenya. She studied in Kampala in a University and then everything went wrong and she came into prison three months ago. All her family live in Kenya and she has no one in Uganda. This makes life very difficult for her because there is nobody to bring her the things that she needs e.g. a mat to sit on. Women sit on the ground on mats in prison and most of the time their families bring along these mats, but what if you don’t have family around? The women asked me to buy some mats for them.
How APP helps
The women just started to knit a sweater for babies
APP does everything they can for the people in prison, but, I thought, “do we really help them by buying mats for them?” People are so used to asking for things. Instead, we discussed the possibility of knitting a mat out of wool but this didn’t seem like a good idea. It gets very dirty, it gets wet and it is not strong enough. Than we found out we can knit a mat out of plastic bags - you can cut small strips out of it and knit it with thick needles. This was a great success! Other women came to the knitting group and asked if they can join the group so they could also make their own mat. Prison warders came and praised the women for the good work they were doing. And, the women of the knitting course? They learned the difference between asking for something and working for something. It gave them so much pride and dignity and, after all, that is what APP stands for: hope and dignity for people in prison.
Janet
The very first mat knitted out of plastic bags
And about Janet - the girl from Kenya. During one knitting class she suddenly began to cry. All of us looked in the direction she was looking and in the distance we saw two people walking down the hill to the prison. We didn’t know who these people were but Janet did. It was her father and brother. They came all the way from Kenya to Uganda (which is a terrible and long way to travel) to visit her. Janet was so happy that she couldn’t believe her eyes and the rest of the women started singing and dancing with joy and praising God for His goodness.
Is the APP knitting class only knitting? No it is much more than that, both for the women in prison and for me!
Bea Wildeman – van der Weerd, staff member APP Uganda
10 Apr 2010Help establish prison libraries in Sierra Leone with AdvocAid
APP is partnering with AdvocAid (an organisation in Sierra Leone) to establish prison libraries in Pademba Road Prison, Sierra Leone’s maximum security prison in the capital Freetown.
AdvocAid: Supporting justice, education and reintegration for women in prison in Sierra Leone
AdvocAid was founded in 2006 and supports justice, education and reintegration for women and their children in prison in Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone suffered a brutal decade-long civil war that formally ended in 2002. While the country’s citizens are now able to enjoy relative stability, Sierra Leone continues to rank near the bottom of the Human Development Index.
The libraries will facilitate initiatives such as book clubs, literacy classes, reading circles and legal education and public health education classes, which will give detainees the opportunity for learning and education, providing hope during detention and easing reintegration into communities upon release.
Read more about the Prison Libraries in Sierra Leone project with AdvocAid.
04 Jan 2010Mitigation Workshop at Luzira Women’s Prison
In December 2009, Barrie Sander conducted a mitigation workshop for the 29 prisoners on death row at Luzira Women’s Prison.
The Ugandan Supreme Court had ruled in January 2009 that the imposition of a mandatory death penalty was unconstitutional, and these prisoners have had their cases returned to the High Court for a fresh sentencing trial where they can put forward factors for the judge to consider to mitigate the gravity of their sentence.
The workshop explained how the mitigation process works, outlined examples of mitigating factors and tackled questions the prisoners raised about the process. Various factors that can be raised to mitigate a prisoner’s sentence include their character, health and capacity for reform.
The aim is to empower the prisoners so that: (i) they can begin building up information about themselves that can be used by their advocates in their trial; and (ii) they can put pressure on their advocates to push on with various aspects of their case. Hopefully these mitigation hearings will offer the prisoners in question the fair sentencing trials they deserve.
Read more in our Special Report: Mitigation Workshop - Luzira Women’s Prison.
17 Dec 2009Female inmates welcome literacy programme
APP this week commenced a functional adult literacy programme at the Victoria Women’s Prison at the Luzira prison complex that houses over 600 inmates.
The women were excited with the programme, which features a book club and storytelling initiative that will keep them occupied and improve their reading and writing skills. A similar adult literacy programme has been conducted for the past eight months among the 900 male inmates at Kampala Remand Prison, where APP built a modern library that is fully stocked with over 4,000 books, computers and other information materials. It is open from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4pm when inmates are locked in their cells until the next day. Daily attendance at the library is 80 to 90 people, including prison staff. The comprehensive programme at Remand entails storytelling and creative writing, a book club, basic computer training, translating English books to various African languages and a drawing and painting club.
“Though there are future plans of building a library in the women prison, I thought that having this programme in the meantime would help a lot as the prisoners wait for the library,” said Glorias Asimwe, APP’s prison libraries officer. “It will be conducted every Wednesday and Friday 2pm to 4pm. The project will run at Remand library Tuesday and Thursday. I’m working on having another programme started in the Upper Maximum Security Prison where the university programme is underway.”
12 Dec 2009APP Presentation at Race for Justice Conference
APP volunteer Olamide Olajide recently gave a presentation about APP at the Race for Justice Conference organised by the Society of Black Lawyers and the National Association of Probation Officers.
Held in London on 3 & 4 December 2009, the conference was aimed at improving awareness of the causes of social exclusion and its manifestations and examined what could be done to address the problems - whether community cohesion as a government strategy is the way forward.
The conference included international and national speakers and workshop leaders from a wide range of disciplines within the criminal justice system, private and voluntary sector. Keynote speakers also included key government ministers from the USA, Canada, France, and the Caribbean.
Olamide raised £860 from delegates’ donations.
11 Dec 2009African Prisons Project celebrates a positive year
African Prisons Project yesterday held its annual general meeting for 2008-2009. The event marked an opportunity to review the charity’s activities in the past year, receive the formal accounts, and to hear of APP’s ambitious plans for 2010.
The AGM heard from Director General Alexander McLean that “the past year has seen APP expand its operations both in the UK and Uganda”. McLean added: “We have successfully completed construction on the healthcare centre at Gulu Prison, which was planned as a Level II centre but may now actually be a Level III, meaning that it will get more funding from the Ugandan government. We have also seen success with a number of other projects from dietary supplements for HIV/AIDS patients in prison to installing more educational materials into our growing prison libraries.”
Trustee Adam Smith said: “It has been a valuable year of progress at APP. In the UK we’ve recruited around 40 more volunteers and have established a number of committees based on our areas of work. We have also held successful fundraising events from music nights to football tournaments, plus many other successes.”
Toby Brown expressed thanks on behalf of the charity’s members for: “Our continued gratitude and admiration for the tireless work of Alexander McLean and the staff in Uganda, and the unwavering commitment of the trustees and volunteers in the UK. With the support of the charity’s donors, these tremendous efforts mean APP is making a humbling difference to the lives of those incarcerated in such terrible conditions.”
In the coming year, APP will undertake a number of exciting projects, including the installation of a university library and the ongoing legal support to the lawyers working on the death row appeal cases. The support of APP’s donors will continue to be paramount in making a difference to inmates’ lives.
27 Nov 2009APP director wins major national volunteer award
Alexander McLean, APP’s founder and director, was last night awarded the Legend award at the national vinspired awards, which recognise the contribution of volunteers across the UK to the third sector.
“I’m delighted to have won this award,” said Alexander. “The vinspired awards are a wonderful and heart-warming way to recognise the good work that young volunteers do. I’m honoured to be awarded along side the other winners.”
The glamorous ceremony was held last night, 26 November 2009, in the O2 arena in London. APP volunteer Adam Smith collected the award on behalf of Alexander, who is in running operations in Uganda. “The ceremony was fantastic,” said Adam. “Hopefully Alexander’s award will generate some national media coverage for APP – there was certainly plenty of photographers taking my picture as I accepted the award from rap sensation Tinchy Stryder!”
29 Oct 2009Prison expert consults with APP
Zur Kredo, a prisons expert from Israel, visited APP headquarters in September, praising the team for its “impressive” work.
Colonel Kredo served for more than twenty years with the Israel Police and then with the Israeli Prisons Service. He has extensive experience of criminal intelligence and investigation. He served as the superintendent of one of the most advanced prisons in Israel. He has experience of prisons systems around the world, including three years working for the Singapore Prisons Service, and also Mexico Prisons Service, Tanzania Prisons Service and Taiwan Prisons Service.
During his time at APP, Colonel Kredo visited a wide variety of projects including the health centre we are constructing for inmates, staff and the community at Gulu prisons complex, the library, welfare office and medical centre we put in place at Kampala Remand, the library and choirs we sponsor on death row at Upper Prison and inmates we care for at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
“I am impressed by the work that APP does for inmates and staff in terms of health, education and access to justice,” said Colonel Kredo on completing his visit. “I have witnessed at first hand the libraries it has installed in prisons in countries where formerly no prison library existed. Its education initiatives including reading groups, literacy classes, art, music and drama are varied and provide skills and stimulation for a large number of inmates and staff.”
APP is delighted that Colonel Kredo has decided to support our work by acting as our adviser. We are certain that his years of experience working in prisons worldwide and his extensive network of partners in corrections services will be of great benefit to us.
“I am proud to call myself a friend of APP,” added Colonel Kredo. “Organizations that make the impossible reality and provide the inmates in this very hard environment some level of humanity and dignity make me believe that changes can be made. Long may APP continue to grow and prosper.”
19 Oct 2009APP director wins place on £1.5 million fellowship scheme
APP’s director general has won a place on the Clore Social Leadership Programme which offers leaders across the third sector the chance to develop as a leader.
Alexander McLean was one of 14 lucky fellows who will benefit from the £1.5 million programme established in 2008 by the Clore Duffield Foundation. It offers fellows a personalised leadership development programme with a mentor, coach, extended outplacement, practice-based research project, and two intensive residential courses including site visits to challenging contexts.
“The Clore Social Leadership Programme will equip the next generation of third sector leaders with the skills and confidence to handle risk, manage complexity and make the most of opportunities to innovate in the recession and beyond,” explained Dame Mary Marsh, director of the programme. “We need diverse leaders with courage, passion and focus to meet the growing needs of civil society.”
McLean was “delighted” with the appointment. “The fact that this fellowship promises personal development in terms of a wide variety of leadership skills, as well as access to new networks and exposure to new ways of working in the charity world, makes it an exciting prospect,” he said. “I believe this will be of great benefit to our staff, volunteers and the prison communities that we serve.”
18 Oct 2009Delegation inspects Gulu health centre progess
On 22 September 2009, a party of partners and beneficiaries made a joint inspection of progress on the new healthcare centre APP is building at Gulu Prison in northern Uganda.
The party comprised a municipal engineer, health workers, prison officers, the regional prisons commander (RPC), a Ugandan Prisons Service engineer, ICRC head of sub-delegation and, from APP, visiting trustees from the UK and Ugandan-based staff.
The RPC thanked all parties involved for their cooperation and APP for its continued support and contribution to prisons and particularly the Gulu project. He explained that the health facility will bring a huge relief to the inmates and the prison under-resourced staff. He also hailed the quality of ongoing work.
Diana Opio, APP trustee visiting from the UK, thanked the entire team present for working together and the work being done. “On behalf of the board of trustees,” she said, “I am happy to see what had been achieved so far.”
04 Oct 2009APP volunteers score with fundraising footie
APP’s first African Nations Cup football tournament has kick-started an entirely new way of fundraising. The tournament was held in Camberley, Surrey yesterday and was sponsored by Predator Sports in Farnborough.
Organised by APP volunteers Paul MacFarlane and Adam Smith, the tournament raised almost £500 through registration fees, CD sales and donations. “The day was really a way of working out a new way of raising money,” explained Adam “and I think we learnt a lot. It was great to raise some much-needed funds too.”
With a blast of rhythm on the djembe drum every time a goal was scored, a boisterous crowd of not just wives and girlfriends but also parents and children, plus a ref who kept on going without a break, the tournament scored well on all fronts.
The final was between Tanzania and Egypt. The latter, which had been the favourite team since the first round after winning its group hands-down, took the tournament with a competent 3-1.
30 Aug 2009UK volunteers form APP’s first fundraising committee
Volunteers in the UK have organised themselves into a functioning fundraising committee. The move is the natural progression for a network of casual volunteers eager to become more organised in addressing APP’s ongoing need for funds.
The group is headed by long-term APP volunteer Adam Smith. Adam will continue to write grant applications and awards nominations, to speak about APP at events or with external fundraising groups, and support the other fundraising committee members on the design and implementation of fundraising events and campaigns.
“Organising ourselves in this way, with regular meetings and a more strategic approach, will hopefully prove incredibly useful in the amount of money we raise,” Adam said. “We’re still only four members, with a fair number of casual volunteers, so anyone who wants to become involved should get in touch. As ever, because APP is still so small, you really feel the difference you’re making.”
The group meets monthly in central London. If think you can help the committee and are interested in joining, please email Adam on adamsmith [at] africanprisons [dot] org.
17 Jul 2009APP staff undergo communications training
On the 2 July 2009, African Prisons Project’s Uganda office was trained in all aspects of communications by expert Guustaaf van de Mheen. The day-long seminar will hopefully increase APP’s efficiency at all levels of communication, whether it be on a professional front or during simple office-based interaction.
The most interesting module was that which covered cultural differences. The APP office currently has British, Dutch, Kenyan and Ugandan members. Staff were asked to rate how they felt other nationalities would respond to situations, and what their personalities were like. “It was interesting to see how we view members of other cultures in the office, and then to find out how they see themselves,” said Rowan Hunter, project officer. “I found this valuable because a cultural impression of someone can affect how you communicate with them, not just in the office but in all aspects of life.”
Other skills taught included professional email writing. Learning the best ways to format emails whether formally or informally will enable APP staff to communicate to each other and to those out of the office professionally.
The workshop was part of the continuing process of turning APP into a fully functioning professional NGO. The day was considered a success by all staff. Brian Wamala, APP’s office manager, said: “I can already see the difference in the workplace. Messages are getting across a lot easier, and with have fewer misunderstandings.”
16 Jul 2009APP staff inspect progress on Gulu project
On 30 June 2009, representatives from African Prisons Project made the 4-hour drive up to Gulu to inspect progress on the construction of the healthcare centre. The delegation consisted of director general Alexander McLean, assistant directors Renzo Van Diepen and Marcel Van Gils, APP’s engineer Gordon Binomugisha and project officer Rowan Hunter.
The substructure has been completed, and the interior and exterior walls are nearing completion. APP held discussions with the contractors and prison staff regarding possible changes to the structure. Suggestions included the addition of a window for more light in the maternity ward, and the addition of an internal wall for more privacy for those giving birth. “The construction of the level 2 health centre and the fact that the presence of such a service in Gulu will directly enable the receipt of supplies from the central government, brings hope into the lives of hundreds of prisoners, prison staff and their families,” said Van Diepen.
The APP delegation was then shown round the rest of the Gulu prisons site. Ugandan Prisons Service (UPS) recently built a new men’s prison in Gulu, so the female prisoners (previously housed in an annex) have moved into the old men’s prison. This structure was built in the 1930’s and is incredibly dilapidated. The inmates, totalling 40 with more expected soon, live with the prospect of roof collapses and sewage overflows. APP was invited by the officer in command (OC) of women’s prison to carry out renovation works. The request is currently being considered.
Next on the tour was the new men’s prison. The new facility was built after pressure from the International Committee of the Red Cross, which had condemned the original structure as too small and structurally dangerous (the ICRC did not however anticipate that female prisoners would be moved in to the old prison). The new structure looked impressive from the outside, but the interior showed the signs of UPS cost-cutting. The entire prison can hold over 1,000 inmates but was built without a kitchen. The OC of men’s prison said: “I requested 10 million shillings (roughly £3,000) to construct a kitchen; UPS sent me 3 million. What can I do with that?”
The visit to the men’s prison also gave the APP delegation a chance to talk to prisoners assisting with the construction of the health centre. Prisoners are helping the contractors with unskilled labour. Talking with them in confidence, the APP delegation was able to ensure that they were genuine volunteers and that they weren’t forced into doing the work. Satisfied with their answers, the APP delegation finished off the successful day with a meeting with the prison staff to discuss the project and the possibility of more projects in the future.
“We were once again impressed by the friendliness of the staff in Gulu, who made us feel very welcome,” said Hunter. “The progress on the construction looks good, and it was exciting to see what was on paper for many months becoming a reality.”
25 May 2009APP in talks with new trustees
After months of searching for experienced individuals to join its growing board of trustees, APP is now in talks with a number of potential candidates.
APP has been in desperate need of new trustees for some time. Trustees are the people who help govern a charity: they may help run the organisation on a daily basis or may keep a more distant approach, but trustees always have the long-term goals of a charity in mind as they help it to grow. APP needs to expand its trustee board (currently only three people) with individuals experienced in one or more of the following areas: prisons, education, healthcare, palliative care, charity management/administration/governance and fundraising.
“I’m really hopeful that we’ll be able to expand our excellent board of trustees,” said Alexander McLean, APP’s director-general. “Our trustees do a sterling job but for APP to continue to grow we need more in-depth expertise.”
If you are interested in finding out more about the available positions, please email one of the APP’s existing trustees Lyn McLean on lynmclean@africanprisons.org.
23 May 2009African music night drums up funds and awareness
On 1 May, African Prisons Project hosted a night of live music in London. The event was held at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) designed to raise APP’s profile and widen its base of potential volunteers and donors.
The SOAS common room was the back-drop for a series of Ugandan and African inspired bands, which entertained the audience with a range of afro-funk beats and rhythms. APP volunteers were on hand to answer any questions from people who were interested in the charity’s work. APP volunteer Rowan Hunter, who spoke to many people interested in the charity, said: “The event roused the interests of a wide variety of people, from a range of professions and backgrounds. One teacher came up to me pondering the idea of taking a year out to help with APP’s education projects, while a musician approached me with the idea of working with prisoners.”
The packed-out event was free of charge, with revellers taking advantage of the opportunity to sample some Ugandan dishes and cheap student union bar prices. It is hoped the event can be replicated, to extend public awareness of APP’s work, as well as helping to raise funds for upcoming projects. “We raised nearly £500,” said APP volunteer and event co-organiser Adam Smith. “Hopefully we can do it again and raise even more.”
07 Apr 2009APP plans afro-funk night to raise funds
APP has teamed up with Ugandan musicians and new volunteers to organise a rhythmical evening of music, food and partying. It is hoped that the Afro-funk Breakout night will raise funds and awareness for APP, and inspire new volunteers.
The evening will be held at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London on 1 May 2009, from 7pm. Entrance to the venue is free, but APP will be collecting donations on the night. This is an exciting new way to raise funds and awareness for APP; the idea came from Charlie Shuttler, a student at SOAS and fan of APP’s Condemned Choir album. Charlie, who wrote an essay on the album and how music can be used for social reform, has secured some of London’s biggest Ugandan and Ugandan-inspired musicians. Acts include Seby Ntege, Gravy Train and Afrik Bawantu.
“I’m really excited about Afro-beat Breakout,” said Adam Smith, APP’s communications officer (UK) and co-organiser of the event. “As a punter I’m looking forward to grooving to the music, and as an APP volunteer I’m looking forward to raising APP’s profile among those interested in Africa.”
Alexander McLean, APP’s director-general, will be on campus during the day to give talks to seminar groups and on the student radio station.
For more info, and to download a flyer, visit the Afro-beat Breakout Facebook page here.
28 Mar 2009£650 raised at street collection day
Volunteers from across the country helped APP raise a staggering £650 at a recent street collection day.
Over 20 volunteers - both old and new to APP - came to help the small charity raise funds for the health centre at Gulu. The fundraisers concentrated their efforts around Borough Market on a busy Saturday, cajoling donations from passers-by, hungry market shoppers and even the occasional ex-pat Ugandan! “I had a blast!” said Adam Smith, APP’s communications officer (UK). “It was so much fun to see a bunch of people, all wearing bright yellow, chanting and singing to help raise funds for the Gulu health centre.”
Diana Opio, one of APP’s trustees, even brought her three willing daughters along to help out. “It is amazing what a small group of people can achieve!” she said. “It was a great day which was full of fun and good spirit. We really appreciate everyone’s time, energy and commitment!”
APP hopes to hold more fundraising days in the future. If you’d like to help out please email adamsmith@africanprisons.org.
24 Mar 2009Coup For APP
Short term, widely experienced volunteers, Deirdre Heath and Sandra Worthington, visiting from London to advise APP with regards to planning literacy programs in prison libraries, discovered lots of copies of Waiting For Godot (the black comedy by Samuel Beckett) in APP’s Remand Prison Library in Luzira.
They introduced the play to the drama group in Condemned Section Luzira last week and were very pleased with the enthusiasm and interest this generated with the inmates. Enthused by this reponse they approached renowned educationist/writer/broadcaster Fagil Mandy and he agreed to run a follow up workshop with the Condemned inmates on Monday 23rd March.
The event was a great success and long term APP volunteer Rowan Emslie agreed to help run a weekly workshop/rehearsal alongside Mr Mandy with a view to getting a full production staged at the start of May 2009.
’It“s great to see inmates really getting excited about something,” he said. “It’s an activity that lots of people can get involved with and that stimulates people in a creative way, which is all too rare in a prison environment.”
19 Mar 2009Prison staff and inmates utilise library’s potential
Prisoners and staff have been working together to categorise the 6,000 books donated to the library at Kampala Remand.
It is one thing to collect thousands of donated books from the UK, have them shipped to Uganda through Kenya, and construct the largest prison library in Uganda to house them. It is another task entirely to organise the books into a categorised system that creates a useful environment for the 100 people who use the facility every day.
The painstaking task of categorising every book in the library, built by APP in Kampala Remand last year, has been taken on by an unlikely coalition of a few inmates and a wardress from the prison. Their task is to re-organise all the books that were placed in vague subject order (perhaps hastily) for the opening of the library, and re-sort them according to the Dewey system, a copy of which was donated along with the books.
Led by APP’s full time librarian, Glorias Asiimwe, prisoners have been sorting all the books, and attaching colour-coded stickers containing the appropriate Dewey Classification and re-shelving in a more organised fashion than before. While the organisation process has only been going for a few weeks, already the team looks like a well-oiled machine, and is churning through the books in the library.
Inmates are also helping with the daily functions of the library. Ntale Hassan, Mugisha Winter, Herbert Kimboowa, Asiira Sam and Jude Ocama all help to open the building in the morning, drawing curtains and opening windows, and keep the facility clean and tidy with the books on the right shelves. One prisoner has even been nominated to make sure other prisoners do not remove books from the library, and upon exiting the library, every inmate should expect to be patted down.
Under the instruction of Asiimwe, Ugandan Prison Service wardress Evelyn Akidi is being trained on the operations and management of libraries. Evelyn has already seen the benefits of the new library. “The prisoners are no longer idle,” she said. “They have an activity to keep them busy, some are even learning English for the first time.” Once the categorising of the books in the library is complete, it is hoped that Akidi will take over management of the library, so that Asiimwe can work on APP’s new libraries.
Every prisoner who has taken part in helping the operations and organisation of the library will receive a certificate from APP, recognising and commending the good work they have done. APP also hopes the scheme of training prison staff to act as librarian will continue throughout all upcoming library projects.
18 Mar 2009APP quiz night this Friday!
The alumni association of a London school is hosting a quiz night and raffle to raise money for APP, with the top prize a meal at a De Vere Venues house.
The Old Kingstonian Association, made up of former pupils from Kingston Grammar School (KGS), is holding a quiz between KGS, Hampton School and Tiffin School. The organisers are hoping to raise money for APP by holding a raffle on the evening. The top prize, a meal for two at Davenport House in Greenwich, will be an enticing draw for most. More information about the house can be found by clicking here. The evening takes place from 7pm at Hampton Wick Cricket Club.
APP director general Alexander McLean will also be giving a talk to the competitors at the quiz night.
17 Mar 2009New staff and systems boost to APP Uganda
APP’s operations in Uganda have been ramped up a notch with the recruitment of new specialised members of staff and the introduction of a new IT system.
The charity has hired three new members of staff - Monica Basemera, Olive Ajambo and Brian Wamala - to lend their expertise to the areas of fundraising, accounting and administration respectively.
Along with these new staff members comes the creation of a network to link the four new computers in the APP office. That has been augmented with new wireless internet to upgrade the working environment.
“We used to have only one internet connection and one laptop,” remembers Rowan Emslie, APP’s communication officer (Uganda). “It was a nightmare as you’d just be hanging around the whole time wanting to get on with things.” Another volunteer, Rowan Hunter, agreed. “Now we can send documents to each other and work on things simultaneously,” he said. “It makes the whole process of planning and fundraising for projects so much smoother.”
16 Mar 2009APP scores high with sporting welfare scheme
Prisoners in Uganda have been participating in a major sporting tournament, as part of APP’s welfare initiative.
On 24 February 2009, prisoners in the condemned section of Luzira Prison participated in the final of the Aileen Chapple Cup, a sports tournament sponsored by APP. As part of the charity’s welfare initiative, the tournament was aimed at stimulating the prisoners both mentally and physically. Due to the severe lack of space in condemned section, events were on a small scale; nonetheless there were hotly contested indoor games of ludo, chess, playing cards, dominoes, scrabble and draught.
The main event of the day was the final of the outdoor event, volleyball. The winners of this were to receive the Aileen Lily Chapple Cup. While it was a close match, the eventual winners were the condemned section team that went by the name of “Spurs”, with second place in the competition going to “Miracles”.
Prizes were handed out in a ceremony afterwards. Guests from APP were treated to songs and a variety of speeches from inmates and prison warders. Winners of last year’s art competition also received art supplies as prizes at the ceremony. Art from this competition had been sold to various people, including new APP patron Mrs Justice Dobbs, to raise funds for APP and condemned section, with a lot of it now decorating the charity’s African headquarters.
“As a gesture of goodwill,” explained Rowan Hunter, administration officer, “APP brought in a vast quantity of soap and razor blades for all inmates. This surprised the officer-in-charge of the condemned section, who told me later that he was surprised at how ‘civil and fair the inmates were at dividing the donations’.”
For a number of new members of staff for APP, this was their first time in Condemned Section. Most were surprised by the warm welcome which they received and the upbeat mood of the men all sentenced to death.
Monica Basemera, APP’s new fundraising officer, said: “The team spirit and solidarity among the inmates was truly inspiring. The atmosphere of the condemned section was not at all how I expected, it was upbeat and happy, and the opposite of the dreary, depressing place I anticipated.”
Renzo van Diepen, APP’s assistant director, also entered the condemned section for the first time. “I found the whole experience surreal,” he said. “As we were watching the very upbeat and happy prisoners, we were at the same time sitting on the steps that lead to the gallows.”
17 Feb 2009UPS nurse urges action on palliative care
A Ugandan nurse, sponsored by APP to attend a conference on palliative care, has devised an action plan for improving the palliative care system of the Uganda Prison Service (UPS).
Beatrice Ocom has urged the UPS to send health workers to the next Biannual Palliative Care Conference to help her provide palliative care in the prison system. In September 2008 APP had sponsored Ocom to attend the conference herself. “I strongly recommend that a team of four health workers are facilitated to attend next year,” she said.
Ocom hopes that the UPS, together with APP, can expand the current palliative care service in Ugandan prisons which only operates in the Luzira complex in Kampala, covering only four out of 222 prisons. “It is APP’s hope that we, in conjunction with Hospice Africa Uganda, can continue to help the growth of this care service,” said Rowan Emslie, communications officer (Uganda).
22 Jan 2009Death penalty upheld in Uganda
The Constitutional Court of Uganda yesterday declared the death penalty constitutional, ending the legal challenge brought by over 400 prisoners. The courts also upheld hanging as the method of execution.
The disappointing news was tempered by the court’s decision that a stay on death row for more than three years, after the appeals process has been exhausted, was unconstitutional, and to declare the mandatory death sentence unconstitutional. Around 99% of condemned inmates are serving mandatory sentences; consequently, all of these inmates will be given the opportunity to go to court to present mitigation pleas and appeal their sentence. APP, in collaboration with the Centre for Capital Punishment Studies (CCPS), will be assisting in the compilation of mitigation pleas for condemned inmates that do not have adequate legal representation.
The average capital case takes ten years to complete the appeals process. As a result, most condemned inmates are yet to exhaust their appeals. Despite the fact that most condemned inmates have spent around a decade on death row, this will not mean that they will be eligible for a sentence reduction, as they have not yet exhausted their appeals. The court’s decision only renders a three-year stay on death row unconstitutional if those three years are following the highest appeal court’s conviction. For the few condemned inmates that have spent more than three years on death row, following the completion of their appeals, their death sentences will be reduced to life imprisonment.
The impartiality of the court’s decision is questionable. President Museveni’s influence on the decision was illustrated throughout the hearing, as the judges repeatedly voiced their apprehension regarding defiance of the executive. The fact that Museveni pardoned several political dissidents the day before the court ruling suggests that he had a hand in the decision making process of the Constitutional Court. Despite the unconvincing transparency of the court, the judgment to abolish the mandatory death sentence and long stays on death row is a progressive step. The importance of this decision should not be underestimated; it indicates that human rights culture has infiltrated Ugandan society. This decision marks a triumph for those who advocate a rehabilitative criminal justice system, as opposed to a retributive one.
24 Dec 2008ICAP funding success for APP
APP has received a significant donation from ICAP, the world’s premier interdealer broker, as part of the organisation’s annual Charity Day.
ICAP raised a total of £11 million in one day of frantic trading on 10 December 2008. The staggering figure (ICAP’s largest yet in 16 years of holding the annual event) will be split between over 100 charities worldwide. APP is immeasurably pleased to be one of them. The day itself was a madcap frenzy of fancy dress, fun - and plenty of trading.
Michael Spencer, ICAP’s chief executive officer, said: “To raise over £11 million in one day is an incredible achievement, particularly in the current environment. It is the efforts of our customers, staff and supporters that made Charity Day 2008 such a fantastic success. Many needy people around the world will benefit from their efforts.”
APP was represented at the event by the charity’s patron, former chief inspector of prisons Lord Ramsbotham and APP volunteers Toby Brown, legal director; Nicholas Brown, assistant director; and Adam Smith, communications officer. Lord Ramsbotham also represented the Shannon Trust, along with its CEO David Ahern. The Shannon Trust operates an award-winning peer mentoring programme in UK prisons to teach prisoners to read. For more details, go to www.shannontrust.org.uk.
For a full list of the charities that participated in this year’s event, go to www.icapcharityday.com.
16 Dec 2008Work gets underway on university project
As APP’s latest project takes off, the charity is calling urgently for funds. In conjunction with expanding the APP library in Luzira Maximum Security Upper Prison to include thousands of new books, a university correspondence network is being put in place to allow inmates to study, from basic literacy through to degree level, but as ever, funds remain the only obstacle.
APP volunteers in Uganda have begun sorting donated books into skill level categories – including O and A level – to allow them to be transferred once construction is finished. Gordon Binomugisha, APP’s engineer, has been busy preparing quotes for the project. In addition, Alexander McLean, APP’s director-general, is the chair of the University Library Infrastructure Committee, on which representatives of Uganda Prison Service sit, so he has oversight of the entire project even beyond APP. Volunteers have also secured funding for all the furniture in the library. The final challenge is to find the funding needed for the actual construction.
“We estimate that the cost of building the structure will come to £10,000,” said Rowan Emslie, administration and project officer. “We have been looking for funding from various different sources and are very open to hearing new possibilities for obtaining this final lump sum that will allow us to implement the project.”
16 Nov 2008Kingston Parish Church holds fundraiser for APP
A fundraising event was recently held by Kingston Parish Church (KPC) in aid of APP. Also known as All Saints Kingston, the church sits in the centre of Kingston Upon Thames and has a 1000-year history including the crowning of Saxon kings. As part of its missions project, KPC held a bazaar in the church which, despite terrible weather, raised much needed funds for APP.
Reverend Sandy Cragg commented: “Our mission projects aims to raise funds for the poorest and neediest. Who could be needier than people stuck in prison in Africa? We heard of the impressive work of APP and thought this was something in keeping with our beliefs that would make maximum use of the funds we could raise.”
The money raised will be put towards APP’s much needed funds for next year’s prison projects. APP wishes to send a special thanks to Sandy, KPC’s rector the Reverend Jonathan Wilkes, the KPC Missions Committee and to everyone who gave their time and money to make the bazaar a success. For more information on KPC please visit www.allsaintskingston.co.uk.
4 Nov 2008Volunteers raise funds for university project
A trio of volunteers is hoping to raise funds to help build a university library at Luzira Prison.
The group, based in southwest London, is heading out to Uganda this week. It consists of school friends Tom Loan, Rowan Emslie and Rowan Hunter. The three are even doing a sponsored walk just before they go to raise some cash. If you wish to donate, click here.
“We’re all in our gap years and have volunteered to go to Uganda to help APP,” said Emslie, the group leader. “The £10,000 target is the estimated total for the next APP project: building a university library in the Luzira Prison in Kampala. Any donations are welcome, no matter how small or large. Any donation helps the project move forward and will be gratefully received.”
31 Oct 2008Director-general becomes a Fellow of the Royal Society
The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) has made Alexander McLean, APP’s director-general, a fellow. The appointment will enable Alexander to network with other social entrepreneurs and leaders from many sectors.
The RSA has been a cradle of enlightenment thinking and a force for social progress for over 250 years. The politically independent organisation provides platforms for the encouragement of public discourse by experts in science, ethics and the environment; leaders in the commercial, voluntary and public sectors; social entrepreneurs; cutting-edge practitioners in the worlds of literature, film, dance, new media and the visual arts; opinion formers and journalists; and award-winning designers and architects.
Alexander is the latest fellow in an international network of 27,000. He said: “I am delighted to have been elected as a fellow of the RSA. It is a great honour for me and APP. Such awards also help to remind the prisoners with whom we work that the wider world is concerned about them.”
For more information about the RSA, click here.
25 Oct 2008High Commissioner and Cardinal open major APP projects in Kampala
British High Commissioner Martin Shearman and Uganda’s Cardinal Walama officially opened three major APP projects at Luzira Remand Prison during a high profile commissioning ceremony on 23 September 2008. The new prison infirmary, library and welfare office are now up and running after many months of construction work and extensive refurbishment by African Prisons Project (APP).
In addition to the unveiling of the projects, this was a prominent event highlighting the work undertaken by APP and its partners to improve prison life. It was therefore significant that the ceremony was also attended by a wide variety of guests including the media and a number of APP partners such as International Committee of the Red Cross, embassies, NGOs, educational establishments, and the senior officials from the Ugandan Prison Service (UPS).
The guests received a formal tour of the Toby Brown Infirmary, the Aileen Chapple Library and the new Welfare Office. The inmates, who had assisted the work on the ground, were able to join the open air ceremony which included the national anthems of Uganda and Great Britain, speeches and entertainment by the prisoners.
The commissioning delegation began by inspecting the fully renovated infirmary with new furniture, doors, plastering and floors, plus an covered extension. The infirmary also now features a secure dispensary, clean doctor’s room for consultations and treatment, and refurbished ward. Of particular importance to health are the new sanitary facilities.
The delegation then toured the new library building constructed by APP. The large single-room is filled with new tables and chairs for the inmates reading and lessons, plus a row of computers. And of course, thousands of books ranging from early literacy reading to A level texts and a selection of law books. The High Commissioner and Cardinal each handed over a symbolic book on APP’s behalf to the Commissioner General’s representative.
Guests were then shown to the new Welfare Office, which will provide the Welfare Officer secure office facilities, with desks and a computer, to ensure that the welfare work in the Remand Prison can be effective.
The event was concluded by a set of formal speeches, and the signing of a handover agreement between APP and UPS to ensure their maintenance and open access for prisoners.
Toby Brown, who joined Alexander and Lyn McLean in Uganda, commented “It was a tremendously significant day both for African Prisons Project and for the cause of improving conditions in prisons. This is demonstrated by the fact that APP’s projects were officially opened by the very supportive British High Commissioner Martin Shearman and Cardinal Wamala of Uganda. Moreover it celebrated the tireless work of APP teams in both Uganda and the UK, working with the inmates and the Ugandan Prisons Service. For my part, I was humbled by the honour that Alexander wanted to name the infirmary after me.”
A selection of photographs is available of the new projects.
13 Oct 2008‘Social philanthropy’ event promises funding boost
A cutting-edge fundraising event could prove a windfall for APP as the charity pitches for donations from generous individuals at a special event in October.
The Youth - The Funding Network (YTFN) evening will take place at 7pm on 15 October 2008 and all are welcome. YTFN is part of The Funding Network (TFN), an organisation that aims to change the way we give money to charities by making it a social event. Charities are invited to deliver a short presentation about their work to a room full of potential donors in a social environment. Audience members then decide whether to donate time or money to the charities. YTFN is dedicated to inspiring people aged 18-30 to help charities. Tickets are £15, but two-thirds of this goes to the charities.
Suzy Burrow, APP’s fundraising manager, said: “YTFN inviting us to pitch for funding is a very exciting opportunity for APP. This will give us the opportunity to raise both funds for the vital Gulu project and awareness of APP among new donors and potential partners.”
The event will take place at Café 1001, 1 Dray Walk, 91 Brick Lane, London E1 from 7pm. For more information on YTFN, click here.
24 Sep 2008APP scoops major funding from Vodafone
APP has won a substantial funding boost from the World of Difference programme, a philanthropic initiative run by mobile phone network Vodafone. The grant will be between £25,000 and £45,000.
Vodafone’s admirably simple programme encourages applications from individuals wishing to work for their elected charity for one year. Successful applicants receive a ‘salary’ of £25,000 and can claim up to an additional £20,000 in expenses. Alexander McLean, APP director-general, applied for the scheme seeking the financial support necessary for him to continue his role.
Alexander said: “I’m delighted to have won this award as it will help me to continue with the work I do for APP without having the financial pressures that come with being a volunteer. It is a great honour for African Prisons Project to be recognised in this way and I hope this will be the beginning of a new and very fruitful stage of our development.”
Adam Smith, APP spokesman, added: “This substantial award is simply wonderful news. It means Alexander can continue working to root our base in Uganda and overseeing our many ongoing projects in prisons. Also, it’s nice to see a company as large as Vodafone running such a straightforward scheme for individuals seeking to work in the charity sector. We’re over the moon with this grant.”
For more information about World of Difference, click here.
14 Aug 2008Diana Opio joins trustee board
APP has welcomed Diana Opio as a new trustee. Diana’s experience as a palliative care nurse - and her expertise in African culture - will be a real bonus for the young charity.
Diana was working with Hospice Africa in Uganda when she met Alexander McLean, who later founded APP. When Alexander built the sickbay at Luzira Prison, Diana attended the opening ceremony and then continued supporting the prison by visiting regularly to donate books. Diana was also present at the opening ceremonies of the sickbay and condemned section at Luzira Women’s Prison, and the libraries for the maximum security prison and the men’s death row.
Diana said: “I’m looking to maintain my interest in and connection with Africa and its prisons, and to continue being able to do something positive in Africa. I love Africa and since I’ve been back in the UK it’s very hard to find work with an African context. So my appointment to the board of trustees will help keep that interest alive.”
10 July 2008Toby Brown succesfully completes six-month project
Toby Brown has successfully completed his six months helping full time to set up APP as a professionally run charity.
Toby started helping APP in May 2007 whilst he was training as a barrister. He assisted pro bono by incorporating APP as a limited company, and subsequently as a registered charity. In January 2008 Toby began six-months full time volunteering with the aim of establishing firm roots for the charity both in Uganda and moreover the UK. This year Toby has managed the recruitment of several permanent volunteers in the UK, and inducted new trustees, so that he steps down as a trustee with APP’s future secure. In particular he founded a number of guidelines to manage both Ugandan and UK operations, and helped raise significant funds for the charity through funding applications.
Toby said: “I was delighted last year to have helped pro bono whilst training as a barrister, regarding the incorporation and charity registration of APP, and accordingly became a director over a year ago. It was a big move to then effectively take a career break to work on APP for six months. My firm hope is that the changes I have initiated, the people brought on board, and the many tasks I led, will continue to strengthen APP as it moves forward this year and into the future.”
Alexander McLean, director general of APP, thanked Toby for the “tremendous amount” of effort he has committed to APP, adding: “The last six months has seen a very big change in the way that we do very many things, meaning that APP is now on a very much stronger footing than when Mr Brown became involved. Mr Brown has been deeply involved in all aspects of APP and has introduced a great many new systems to make us a more effective organisation and a more attractive one to invest in. I think it would be very appropriate to name the sickbay at Kampala Remand Prison the Toby Brown Infirmary.”
APP wishes Toby well in his continuing role with Robin Knowles CBE QC on pro bono development and an exiciting new legal charity. Next year he looks forward to continuing his career at the Bar. Fully behind APP, he plans to continue to advise APP and in due course assist APP’s legal project.
21 Jun 2008Women’s school and library planning commences
APP has commenced planning an ambitious project to install educational facilities for female prisoners in Luzira Prison, Uganda.
Currently Luzira’s female wing has no dedicated education rooms and no library. When Toby Brown was in Uganda recently he consulted with the Ugandan Prison Service, inmate leaders and representatives of educational and charitable organisations. It was clear that lack of educaton was the biggest outstanding problem for female inmates. Providing the infrastructure to enable female inmates to learn is crucial in making long-term changes at the prison. APP and partner engineers have surveyed a derelict on-site building perfect for regeneration and conversion to an education centre.
There will be many challenges in getting this project underway. The initial challenge will be to sensitise female prisonsers to the benefits of education. Ensuring that this project is planned and funded will be the crucial first steps before any infrastructure work is undertaken. Adam Smith, APP spokesperson, said: “We’re currently looking at how to get this project off the ground and would welcome donations of any size. It’s expected that building the education centre will cost up to £10,000, so we have an uphill struggle. If you wish to donate money to help APP, please use our online donation facility by clicking here. For large donations, please contact us.”
11 Jun 2008Toby returns from successful Uganda visit
APP’s legal director and trustee Toby Brown has returned to the UK after visiting the charity’s recently established base in Kampala. His first task was to negotiate and sign the tenancy agreement for the new base in Kampala.
Alexander, the charity’s director, has been working on establishing our operations in Uganda and commencing a range of projects to improve the lives of prisoners. Toby’s trip enabled him to see at first hand the challenges and problems faced on the ground. Toby was able to strengthen the charity’s work by putting in place a number of management, operational and financial changes, all codified into procedures for all staff to use.
Toby said: “It was a very busy three weeks. We made some important structural and management decisions to strengthen the future of APP Uganda, which I hope will support Alexander’s fantastic work well into the future.”
3 Jun 2008Four new volunteers head to Uganda
A crew of four volunteers has recently flown to Uganda to help with APP’s current project at Luzira Maximum Security Prison.
The volunteers’ trip has been coordinated by Danya O’Meally, a volunteer and project manager for JUMP, a registered youth charity dedicated to training and propelling young people to achieve their full potential by supporting them to develop skills that they can carry away beyond their experiences. Danya will be joined by Selina Trezel, a Christian education department representative from Lee New Testament Church, Massy Rukuundo, a law student, and Christine Spencer, a nurse from London. Both Massy and Christine were born in Uganda.
Danya said: “APP’s genuine love and compassion and its willingness to get up close and personal in order to make authentic changes is what drew me to its work. I am looking forward to meeting the great people APP has worked with in Uganda - prisoners with a real understanding of freedom.”
Massy said: “Uganda is my home and I love it. I want to give as much as I can and APP has provided me with the opportunity to do this. At this stage in my life, it’s great to be able to give back even though I may not have that much to give. As a volunteer, APP is allowing me to give of what I do have.”
Keep checking back here for details of how the volunteers get on.
24 May 2008Film reveals death row plight
A short film underlining the plight of Uganda’s death row prisoners with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Freedom Cry, the Condemned Choir’s CD, is now online.
The 14-minute film, “Death Row Choir”, is downloadable for free in RealPlayer format. It is produced by Journeyman Pictures, London’s leading independent distributor of topical documentaries. Journalist Joe Sinclair shot the footage during the recording of Freedom Cry at Luzira Maximum Security Prison in December 2007.
APP spokesman Adam Smith said: “This film gives you a clear idea of the harsh conditions in Uganda’s prisons and the passion with which the condemned prisoners can argue against the death sentence. As the Supreme Court decision approaches, APP urges everyone to watch this insightful film. We’d also like to thank Journeyman for producing the film.”
Visit the Journeyman site to view the Death Row Choir video.
9 May 2008Death penalty challenge imminent
Uganda’s death penalty is currently being challenged by a landmark appeal brought by more than 400 death row inmates. The case was due to go to the Supreme Court on 22 May 2008, however the hearing has been adjourned. No new date has been fixed for the hearing but it is expected to be held at the end of June or during July 2008.
Toby Brown, APP’s legal director, said, “This is a unique case in that it’s the first time all death row prisoners have appealed at the same time.”
A local firm, supported by a coalition of international lawyers, including leading human rights barrister Keir Starmer QC, is working on the constitutional challenge. APP hopes that the court will rule that any prisoner who has been on death row for less than three years will have to go through mitigation and resentencing. The charity then hopes to partner local lawyers with international lawyers to represent the inmates.
Read more about the Death Penalty Appeal.
18 Apr 2008APP revs up with new car
APP has finally purchased a car so that volunteers in Uganda can be transported easily.
Alexander and colleagues have traditionally used taxis or motorbike taxis, known as boda-bodas, to get around. But these are not a very safe option: boda-bodas are unregulated and can be dangerous, it can be time consuming to find a boda-boda driver and haggle him down to a sensible price, and it can look rather unprofessional arriving to a meeting with a commissioner of prisons on the back of a ramshackle moped.
Alexander told Letter from Africa: “We bought a 1995 Mitsubishi Pajero, and we’ve now got a driver called Isaac. It’s going to be a lot more convenient to transport our things. And we hope to get an APP logo printed on the side.”
19 Mar 2008Energy expert visits prisons
Shoko Okamura of Better Generation, an independent renewable energy company, recently visited APP in Uganda to inspect Kampala Remand Prison and Murchison Bay Hospital. She advised on using solar panels to power the medical facilities. APP will now install solar panels during the current refurbishment of the sickbay at Kampala Remand Prison.
22 Mar 2008Freedom Cry
Freedom Cry, an album of songs performed by death row inmates in Uganda, is out now.
The new CD was recorded by the Condemned Choirs of Luzira Prison, Uganda. The Freedom Cry CD was recorded in December 2007 during a visit by a team from the UK. All recording was done inside the Luzira Prison. The CD has been produced to help raise funds for African Prison Project.
You can purchase the CD for £8.00 plus £2.00 p&p at the Condemned Choirs website. All profits from the sale of this CD go towards the work of APP.
Press enquiries - please phone 020 8123 2090.
4 Mar 2008APP newsletter goes live
The first issue of APP’s new quarterly newsletter is now online, produced by Adam Smith. The newsletter has news stories, features and more. Click here to download Letter From Africa.
25 Feb 2008Books shipment sets sail
APP today finalised the shipment to Uganda of a consignment of books, computers and humanitarian items. In the last month trustee directors Toby Brown and Lyn McLean had been coordinating various stores across the country to ensure the items were ready to be shipped. Thanks particularly to Raj and Peter in Nottingham, and volunteers in Surrey: Shoko, Bhavisha, Tom, Suzy and Max. Our gratitude also goes to partner organisations CEVA Logistics, International Law Book Facility, Age Care and Diocese of Guildford. (Full stories to follow.)
14 Jan 2008Toby Brown commences new role
APP trustee director Toby Brown today took up a six-month post to focus on establishing the framework of the registered charity. “My first aim is build on the great successes of the student organisation and evolve APP into a well run organisation with the appropriate corporate governance,” said Toby. “My second principle aim is to coordinate a legal project to link legal organisations into our education and health aims in African prisons. And I’m sure along the way while managing our UK operations I will have a lot of fun!”
01 Dec 2007A Song of Freedom
Ben Ryan, one of the producers of Freedom Cry, has written a short article recounting his experience of working with APP and what it was like to go to Uganda to record the choirs:
In December 2007, I was part of a group of volunteers who journeyed to Uganda to record the Condemned Choirs of Luzira Prison. Our group included Steve Long, James Martin, Andi Bray and my father Martyn Ryan, who had originally heard APP founder Alexander McLean in a radio interview, which stirred him to contact the charity.
Alexander mentioned to Martyn that he would love to record the choirs in the prison. Knowing people in his church who would be able to pull this off, Martyn immediately offered to help. Once we were allowed in to the prison with our suspicious recording gear, we were directed to set up in the chapel with faces peering in through the bars and a loud football game going on outside. We spent three days recording as many songs as we could. The beaming smiles of the prisoners and the opportunity to encourage them with this recording were fantastic. The prisoners welcomed us like royalty every morning and not once did we feel intimidated or out of place.
Back in the UK we produced Freedom Cry, an album of the choirs we had recorded in Uganda. The whole trip was incredible: it was amazing to experience the joy that the prisoners have despite such horrid living conditions. They were an inspiration to every one of us.
22 Nov 2007Alexander McLean wins 2007 Beacon Prize Award
On Thursday 22 November, Alexander McLean became the overall winner of the 2007 Beacon Prize Awards.
The Beacon Prize Awards honour outstanding individuals who have given money, time or skills to create and help causes that enrich our communities in a wide variety of powerful ways. The Gala Prize Ceremony was held in the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace, London, and was hosted by Martyn Lewis CBE.
Alexander won the Beacon Prize for Young Philanthropist of 2007 in recognition of his work as founder and director of the African Prisons Project. He was then named as the 2007 Beacon Prize Overall Winner and was presented with a £30,000 cheque by Campbell Robb, Director General of the Cabinet Office - Office of the Third Sector.
Read our new Press Release: Alexander McLean - 2007 Beacon Prize Winner dated 26 November 2007.
12 Nov 2007APP inspects former project
APP founder Alexander McLean and his father St Aubyn travelled to Kenya to inspect Kamiti Prison where the APP team had installed the 34,000-book library and refurbished the medical bay in 2006. They reported that APP’s work, particularly the library, had been well maintained. Alexander was especially delighted to see that the Kenyan Prisons Service had employed a librarian.
11 Sep 2007Alexander wins UK Graduate of the Year award
Alexander McLean has won the top prize in the annual Real World Graduate of the Year competition, for his inspirational work in African prisons. He beat four other graduates from various UK universities in the competition, which was presented at an awards ceremony in London on Tuesday, 11th September 2007.
This is the fourth year of the Real World Graduate of the Year awards, in which students are rewarded for extra-curricular, work-based or campus activities that demonstrate their attitude, energy and commitment, recognising that there is more to university than just academic achievement.
Real World’s founder, Darius Norell, said: “Alexander’s achievements are a real inspiration to us all..it was his commitment to improving conditions in African prisons that particularly grabbed our attention.”
Read more about Alexander winning the UK Graduate of the Year award.