Paul Sherwen Project Reignites with New Fundraising Campaign

June 24, 2021

The goal: Expanding the Matany Girls’ Vocational School to provide vocational skills to young women of East Africa

HILTON HEAD, SC (Thursday, June 24, 2021) – The Paul Sherwen Project, created to honor Tour de France commentator and former professional cyclist, the late Paul Sherwen, today announced a new fundraising campaign supporting the Matany Girls’ Vocational School (MGVS). Located in Karamoja, Uganda, the school was founded by Paul’s dear friend, Florence Naduk, whose passion is empowering young women in the region by teaching relevant vocational and life skills for employment and job creation. The creation of a vocational school focusing on girls was a project dear to Paul’s heart and one he supported with confidence knowing the value of empowering women and their ability to change society for the better from the grassroots up.

Educational opportunities in this most remote region of Uganda are scarce and many girls must leave school after their primary years. The mission of the Matany Girls’ Vocational School is to offer practical skills to increase employment and entrepreneurship to promote sustainable livelihoods and dignity. Understanding that educating young girls lifts the whole community, MGVS’s motto is “Skill and Empower a Girl.”

“We are truly honored to be chosen by the Paul Sherwen Project as their priority fundraising initiative,” said Naduk, founder and director of Matany Girls’ Vocational School.  “Paul was not only my dear friend but my mentor. Through his example, he instilled in me the importance of service which is truly at the heart of the Matany Girls’ Vocational School.

Opening its doors in November 2020, the school currently teaches hospitality and catering, tailoring and hairdressing. With capacity for total student body of 120 at any given time, the school’s design plan calls for a workshop to house a kitchen for catering classes and a salon for hairdressing skills training. With the completion of this building MGVS is poised to be a full-service vocational institution, the first of its kind in the region. The importance of this is paramount to its mission, as Naduk explains “This school will allow our girls to be educated near their home, within their own community and with positive role models of what Karamajong women can achieve.”

Last year the Paul Sherwen Project donated $5,000 to the school, and the goal this year is to raise $165,000 to construct the workshop building. There are several ways the global community can contribute:

Matany Girls’ Vocational School Fund-A-Need: This is an opportunity for donors to specify how they want to contribute to the project. Those interested in donating directly to the workshop building fund can sponsor a door, a window, electrical wiring, tile, drywall, and a variety of other items needed to complete the building.

ROAD iD Limited Edition Paul Sherwen Wrist ID: The premier line of wearable identification products for cyclists continues as a partner with the Paul Sherwen Project and will be offering a limited-edition Paul Sherwen Wrist ID featuring a custom-designed silicone band. This beautiful new design is updated to reflect the launch of our new website and activities. ROAD iD will donate $15 of each sale to the Paul Sherwen Project in support of MGVS.

Behind the Scenes of The Tour with Phil Liggett: An opportunity for a very exclusive group of 10 donors to join Phil Liggett, “The Voice of Cycling” and Chairman of the Board of the Paul Sherwen Project, on July 19 for a 1-hour Zoom call discussion about the recently concluded Tour de France.  Phil will answer questions and provide rare, background insight into the Tour.  A minimum donation of $500 by each participant to the Paul Sherwen Project will be required. The event will begin at 8 a.m. PDT/11 a.m. EDT/4 p.m. British time (for Phil).

Graham Watson Cycling Photos: Legendary cycling photographer, Graham Watson will contribute to the legacy of his good friend Paul Sherwen. For the next year, a percentage of sales of all his iconic professional cycling photos will go towards the Paul Sherwen Project in support of MGVS.  Immerse yourself in the full range of emotions that cyclists and cycling enthusiasts know so well while benefitting others.

To participate in any of these donation opportunities, please visit www.paulsherwenproject.com

The Paul Sherwen Project is a 501C-3 Corporation founded by the family and friends of the late Paul Sherwen to continue the good he was enacting in Uganda. Paul raced in the Tour de France seven times before becoming television commentary partners with Phil Liggett, where their voices became synonymous with the Tour de France. Paul called Uganda home and was passionate about investing in the people and future of the region, thus the Paul Sherwen Project is continuing his mission. For more information, visit www.paulsherwenproject.com.

PRESS CONTACT:  Eileen Tanner | Paul Sherwen Project | emtanner03@outlook.com