The Duncan Africa Society operates the Suubi Trade School in a small, dusty town called Mpigi, Uganda in East Africa, just 30 km outside the bustling city of Kampala. Some would also call it a social enterprise – quite simply we are just combining education, manufacturing and export to foreign markets to help the local community. Poverty is a very real issue here, and opportunities for young people are scarce.

 

The students at Suubi learn the fine art of guitar building, becoming apprentices as they progress. The guitars they build are sent to Canada for quality control and professional set-up, then are sold around the world and the proceeds support the school, their wages, and community projects throughout the year. On many levels, the guitars they build compare very, very well to the best guitars you can buy in a traditional store today.

 

It is an amazing honour to work and learn with these young men and women. They are working hard – not just for themselves, but for a better future for their community. We remain grateful for the support of our donors and customers over the past 11 years and look forward to a bright future with the guitar makers of Southern Uganda.