Pictured here is our very own full time beneficiary, Mabiru Jessy getting his HIV test taken.  Jessy is one of the millions who have been directly affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.    

 

HIV/AIDS is a major public health concern and cause of death in many parts of Africa.   The toll of HIV and AIDS on households can be very severe, and it is the poorest of societies that are most vulnerable.  It is rather difficult to emphasize the trauma and hardship that children are forced to bear.   In many cases it can cause households to dissolve, as parents fall ill and die children take on more responsibility to earn income, produce food and care for family members.  More children have been orphaned by AIDS in Africa than anywhere else, many are even left on their own in child-headed households.  As access to treatment has slowly expanded throughout the continent, hope is becoming restored and millions of lives are being extended.  However, the majority of people needing treatment are still not able to receive it and campaigns to prevent new infections are  lacking in several areas.  

 

Because of this, community outreach has always been one of our main objectives.  We know and understand that the only way to solve child abandonment, disease and poverty is to start at the very root of these problems.  Many of the people living in small villages in Africa are unfortunately, without a proper education.  Unlike other countries where schooling is mandatory for children and tax payer funded it is completely different here.   It is because of this that we know just how important it is to extend our knowledge to our local families so we can further improve our communities. 

Our goal is to raise $430 for educational facilitators,  transporting the children and supplies,  chair rental, and to provide beverages for over 200 people.  As soon as we have reached our funding goal we will be arranging for an outreach seminar  which will include the use of roughly four facilitators.  The facilitators will come from Jinja to Bukanga Sub-county in Luuka district and they will teach about hygiene, nutrition and HIV.

 

With your help, we have faith that we will see a day in which there will no longer be great human suffering in our communities.  And as always, we thank you for your continued love and support.