Sustainability Projects: how they work

Enabling communities & individuals to work their way out of poverty is a key principle of dreamscheme Uganda. When a donor funds a sustainability project, unlike other large charities, the whole donation (excluding Paypal costs) goes to the group who have devised the project.

As the project grows through continued donations, groups learn to manage the business - making informed decisions; employing skilled people, training young people, purchasing stock and maintenance.

Within the project new skills are gained, by young and old, which will enable participants to help other groups to set up replicated projects in the future.

Finally profit from the working sustainability project pays for trips for the dreamscheme young people to experience

Every Child Matters Every Child Delivers

This article was written to accompany the dvd, that tells a simple story about two villages and a work project that turns an unhealthy well into a clean water supply.Albert Einstein believed that “everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler”. This story is not one bit simpler; it hides an understanding of young people that is profound, complex and worthy of serious reflection.

Dreamscheme creates safe opportunities for young people to enjoy challenging activities.WORK projects are created that are done in the community, by adults and young people together. The young people then get POINTS by the hour, which they spend on sporting and leisure TRIPS of their choice. This very simple method has grown into a network of over 70 groups across the UK and in Uganda. It has captured the attention of many people because of its simplicity and also because of its power to change and transform both people and communities.The Every Child Matters government guideline has become very well known and used. The government’s aim is for every child to have the support they need to:

1. Be healthy
2. Stay safe
3. Enjoy and achieve
4. Make a positive contribution
5. Achieve economic well being

The Dreamscheme has no statutory duty, however to deliver the government’s agenda. It has always been free to pursue its simple task of delivering the formula of work, points and trips. It has also been free to expect so much more from young people. Because we are not service providers inside the youth sector, we can take different risks and have outrageous expectations of young people. We can believe they want to give clean water to a Ugandan village, we can proceed on the belief that they want to make a bench for the residential home for the elderly. We know that they will clear rubbish and dig gardens to get on the next trip. Dreamscheme now seems to operate in a similar framework that the 5 outcomes list, but with some basic differences.When a young person is organised to contribute positively, they enjoy and achieve. They become healthier, wealthier and safer.

Social Capital

The Dreamscheme has recently embraced the term “social capital” as having relevance and powerfully describes what a Dreamscheme can achieve. Social capital is loosely described as:Networks of people that trust each other and share common values or activities.It has been established that in communities where social capital is high, the residents enjoy a healthier, wealthier and happier existence. Work has been done to understand “bonding” and “bridging and linking” social capital. For further understanding go to www.assistsocialcapital.org.uk

When a dreamschemer carries out the work projects in the community they are making valued positive contributions to the social fabric, the environment, the economy and the well being of the residents and visitors to that community. New relationships are formed; shared values and overlapping experiences lead to common ground being built. Networks of people that trust each other are built and shared norms fostered. This brings personal satisfaction of rewards in the points and trips but also in affirmation from neighbours, that reflects and enhances the enjoyment and sense of achievement.These bonding relationships are followed and enhanced when groups become linked to networks that are beyond their immediate world. They attend conferences, they help neighbouring groups, they come together to work, they enjoy trips and this dvd paints an amazing picture of Josh and his new Ugandan friends.

The Dreamscheme young people then become the deliverers of these same 5 targets to their communities.

The young people deliver these same outcomes to their neighbours. They are not the passive recipients of services supplied by professionals.When dreamschemes then move on to caring about a village in Uganda, their horizons are expanded and a global awareness follows.This personal happiness spreads in a virtuous circle firstly through the local network and returns as generative stories in the forums that are emerging.Reciprocity is given a space to happen. The young people start out by doing the work in order to gain points to go on trips. They are attracted to the scheme because they generally have lots of time available, they are eager to spend time with adults that are offering positive experiences and sometimes for the snack that comes with it! This is often replaced with a growing involvement and caring for neighbours and strangers.

A SOCIAL BRAND is built. It is of a definable value and is owned by the Dreamscheme young people and adults.

It looks as if young people are doing their small work projects and keeping busy, what is actually happening is that they are becoming involved in some of the biggest issues of our times.

1. World poverty
2. Climate change
3. Healthy living
4. Food production
5. Intergenerational and racial divides
6. Justice
7. Safer communities
8. Financial inclusion
9. Social inclusion
10. Political inclusion
11. Serious fun

They are both the builders and the beneficiaries of social capital. The attitude and ability to learn increases and the chances of entering the world of work grow. The Dreamscheme works to the outcome of enabling young people to earn PROSBOs(Pro Social Behaviour Options) and building social capital. This is only achieved when people of all ages and skills genuinely work together.

“Building a world where every young person is held in a network of trust, made up of both family and community.”

Kate KingDirector/Inspirer

The new web site

We would value your thoughts on the new Uganda dreamscheme web site.

Is it easy to navigate?
Are the projects clear enough?
what would you like to see on the site?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.