Mike Brooks, director of Tameside Community Computers CIC in Dukinfield, has returned from his second visit to rural Uganda, where he has been monitoring the progress of life-changing community projects funded by residents and businesses across Tameside.
The visit took him to Mbale and Soroti in eastern Uganda, where partnerships with the Muslim Community Charity and Teso Talents Foundation have been transforming lives through education, enterprise, and access to basic resources. The initiatives, funded over the past year through grassroots fundraising, donations, and business support from Greater Manchester, are already delivering measurable and deeply human results.
During his trip, Mike witnessed firsthand the impact of a programme that has funded two years of education for 22 girls, many of whom would otherwise have been unable to attend school. In regions where access to education, particularly for girls, remains a significant challenge, the funding has provided not just school fees, but uniforms, learning materials, and the stability needed for consistent attendance.
Speaking after meeting several of the students, Mike described the experience as “both humbling and inspiring,” noting that education remains one of the most powerful tools for long-term change in rural communities.
Alongside education, the initiative has also supported economic independence through the funding of 13 small business start-ups. These enterprises range from small retail stalls and tailoring services to agricultural trading, providing families with sustainable income and reducing reliance on external aid. Brooks met with several of the business owners, many of whom reported early success and increased financial stability.
“The resilience and determination of these entrepreneurs is incredible,” he said. “With relatively small investments, they are building livelihoods that support entire families.”
One of the most significant infrastructure achievements has been the installation of two boreholes, providing access to clean, safe drinking water. In many rural Ugandan communities, access to water can involve walking several miles each day, often by children. The boreholes are already reducing this burden, improving health outcomes, and freeing up time for education and economic activity.
The community impact extends beyond essentials. Last year’s campaign also delivered Christmas presents to 1,850 children, many of whom had never received a gift before. The initiative brought together donors from across Tameside, demonstrating the power of collective community action.
On this most recent visit, Mike continued to build on that spirit of connection by bringing donations including football jerseys, which were distributed to local youth teams and schools. Football plays a central role in community life across Uganda, and the kits were received with enthusiasm, helping to promote teamwork, wellbeing, and social inclusion.
In addition, Mike delivered 25 bicycles, awarded both to high-performing students and to adults in need of practical transport. For children, the bicycles act as both a reward and a means to travel longer distances to school. For adults, they are a vital tool for daily life, used to transport goods to market and carry water containers from the boreholes, significantly reducing physical strain and saving time.
Mike and the team at Tameside Community Computers CIC also extended their sincere thanks to the individuals and businesses who generously sponsored these bicycles. Special recognition was given to Mrs. Pauline Town, Mrs. Karen Brooks, Mr. Robert Alston, Mr. Andy Cannell, Mr. Norman Haigh, and Mrs. Margaret Stelfox, alongside business supporters Cheadle Architects, Watermark Bathrooms & Plumbing Supplies, MTech Electrical Services, Local Gardens – Ground Management, and MCR Dance & Cheer Academy. Their contributions have directly enabled greater mobility, access to education, and economic opportunity for recipients.
“These bicycles might seem simple to us, but here they are transformative,” Mike explained. “They open up opportunities, whether that’s getting to school, running a business, or simply accessing water more easily.”
The visit also allowed for in-depth discussions with local partners about sustainability, future needs, and how best to expand the programmes. Both the Muslim Community Charity in Mbale and Teso Talents Foundation in Soroti continue to play a crucial role in ensuring that funds are used effectively and that projects are aligned with community priorities.
Looking ahead, Mike has confirmed plans to return to Uganda on 26th December this year to continue the work and deliver another round of Christmas support. However, due to airline luggage restrictions, the focus will shift towards raising funds rather than transporting physical goods from the UK.
“We’ve learned that the most effective approach is to purchase gifts locally,” he said. “It supports the local economy and allows us to reach more children.”
Tameside Community Computers CIC is now appealing to residents, community groups, and businesses to support the next phase of the initiative through donations to their JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tccuganda2026?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL Every contribution will go directly towards purchasing gifts, supporting education, and expanding community-led projects on the ground.
Mike emphasised that the success of the programme so far has been driven entirely by the generosity of people in Tameside.
“This is a true community effort,” he said. “Everything we’ve achieved in Uganda has been made possible by people back home who wanted to make a difference. And we’re only just getting started.”
As the partnership between Tameside and communities in eastern Uganda continues to grow, the impact of these initiatives serves as a powerful example of how local action can create global change, one school place, one business, and one community at a time.
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