idealist.org

It’s a big blessing to share my experience with you. I was born as a vulnerable child to parents who were biologically alive but economically “buried” if am to say. “Buried to the extent of failing to provide a single meal in three days. My polygamous Uncle whose own burden of 37 biological kids and 22 other dependants was just enough for him, chose to give me a hand by keeping me in a school that I was walking 14km to and fro at 10 years. The 3 hours of walking and running to school and the 3 hours back was a big challenge but not big enough to turn down the offer.

As if my Uncle’s taking me to school was not enough, the spirit with which he did it bearing in mind his own responsibilities and burdens left permanent scars of appreciation on my mind, and because such scars don’t heal, it is in the same spirit that I chose (as an adult now) to make a contribution in improving the lives of Orphans and Vulnerable Children. This inward desire gave birth to CARE FOR ORPHANS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (CAFOCOD) – UGANDA, a Community Based Organization initiated in July 2001, managed and run by people who grew up as Orphans and Vulnerable Children, in the rural District of KIBOGA, 77miles (2hours drive) from Kampala the capital of UGANDA.

Out of the 12,000 Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Kiboga district (according to the mapping exercise carried out in June 2007), guardians and local leaders have requested us to register at least 3000-4000 of these vulnerable kids in our program which mainly involves Education, Health, Care and support. We have registered only 300 children in the program though the demand is far more than this. We meet the children, talk to them, and give Health and Hygiene talks, guidance and counseling sessions in groups and to individuals, give them some food whenever possible.

In February 2007, we started a core Education program providing formal education which helps us identify general and specific needs of the Children. The school needs volunteers to teach and work with the children. The work is so demanding because the Church building we are using for this purpose is too small to accommodate all of them; at the moment it can host only 50 out of the 300 registered, yet we do not have the capacity to keep the rest in school by paying for them tuition. Out of the 50 in school, we are housing only 15 because they totally have no way out yet they have to access at least Education. Of the 15 housed, 4 are HIV positive and their health is very challenging because they fall sick so often.
It is on this note therefore that I call upon you to join us in prayer to revitalize these vulnerable lives. If you are willing to come and volunteer for a specific period working with us, or if you know anybody willing to do so let me know, if you are interested in helping a specific child let me know, if you would like to help in any other, you are welcome. If there is no way you can directly help, please this does not stop you from sharing experiences with us. I wish you a wonderful flow of thoughts through your mind in all the issues you deal with and upon.

With a Caring heart.

SAMUEL MUGAYA
PROJECT MANAGER