UGANDA GENERAL

In November 2004, Rev. Rudy Schaser (Manager, Intl. Volunteer Services at Lutheran Hour Ministries) was sent to Uganda to make arrangements for the next "By Kids For Kids" project. We were thrilled with this choice: Rev. Charles Bameka, director of Lutheran Media Ministry Uganda, was interested and directly involved in addressing the AIDS pandemic raging in Africa. Funded by a grant from Lutheran World Relief-Baltimore, LMMU's AIDS Care and Support Project involved AIDS education, counseling, and advocacy efforts in seven villages.

In December 2004, Rudy retired at age 65 and launched the "mom and pop" retirement ministry called With God's Little Ones. We invited friends to accompany us to Uganda to see if they were interested in "adopting" a village. These partners did connect with these villages and now are independently administering projects in Uganda.

To this day, our efforts are basically emergency efforts, aimed at rescuing endangered children and women. Such efforts include the following:

• Safe, Accessible Water

Girls are usually the ones to fetch dirty water from seep holes like the one pictured below. WGLO has drilled borehole wells in seven communities. The cost of a borehole well in Uganda is about $10,000.

• Safe Sleep

Malaria is the major killer in Africa.  Mattresses, blankets, and mosquito nets have been distributed in the villages.  One mosquito net can cover several children.

• Hygienic disposal of human waste

This latrine was unsanitary and dangerous for the little kids. The new latrine at CCLS-Kawete school provides facilities for boys, girls, and teacher/guests.

•  Nutrition, Food, and Health

Vitamins, antifungal creams (for ringworm), antibiotic creams, and first aid supplies have been hand carried to Uganda.  Medicines for malaria, ear infections, respiratory ailments, and parasites have been purchased locally and administered by health workers.  Lunch has been provided at school in Kawete, sometimes the only meal the children receive.  Always aiming for self sufficiency, land has been purchased for gardening, and we are looking forward to the first crop of corn and beans. 

Kids Enjoying Kids Against Hunger food for lunch in Kawete          Richard Kabaale, CCLS teacher, proudly shows the corn crop

• Education 

The future of a nation is often determined by the education of its youth.  We are especially concerned about the education of girls, who often are left at home to fetch water and care for the young.  We are currently focusing on a school for over 550 students in Kawete, Uganda.  (See Projects CCLS-Uganda for more information.)

                                                       Music and English classes - CCLS, Kawete, Uganda