Old Salopian Laura spends summer working for a charity empowering women in Africa

Laura Elliot (G 2015-20) is working for WORI (Women Rights Initiative) in Uganda, she writes:

I left Shrewsbury School in 2020 and was lucky enough to attend Bangkok to work in our international school. I loved the experience and rolling on from this I am now working in Uganda with an NGO named WORI.

I am studying at Newcastle University, and I have recently finished my second year of Sociology and Politics. At Newcastle University, we have a Global Opportunity program which I signed up for. I ended up having two interviews and a Zoom call with WORI in Uganda itself which resulted in a four-week internship out here in Africa. I am part of several projects this NGO is working on. I help to sew reusable sanitary pads with their manual sewing machines. I help survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) learn valuable skills for employability and economic independence such as baking, gardening, and painting. I am also working on a way to help the financially sustainable goal of 30% independent funds and 70% from donors.

In a day I usually take part in one of these ongoing tasks and spread them out through the five-day working week. In the evenings we get to know the city of Jinja and the weekends give us more time to explore further afield and Uganda itself. My hope for the future of this fantastic organisation is more reliable funding.

I have an idea which involves setting up a lecture series in the UK using my existing contacts from both school and University. This would benefit pupils and staff members through education and it would benefit WORI from the funds produced. WORI is a wonderful organization that is helping so many women in Uganda and I believe spreading the word further afield and getting this organization on the map will help immensely.

Find out more here: WORI | Women Rights Initiative