Helping Needy Children in Uganda

Wed, Nov 22nd 2017 at 10:14 am - 10:14 am

This is an account of the work of the Charity 'Friends of North Kigesi Diocese' in Western Uganda. The Charity cares for abandoned children in its Children's Centre in Bucene.

Florence and Tereza.  Twin girls saved by the Charity and now thriving.

Working with the Children of Uganda (2)

Earlier this year the Rotary Club of South Foreland members heard a personal and moving account of Reverend Canon Ken Berkin’s work with children in Uganda.  Ken, now a club member, first went to Uganda 45 years ago where his calling was to help the poor, orphaned and needy children of rural North Kigesi, a remote hilly region with no roads or water and only primitive sanitation.  What he found was families of between six and ten children, an average life expectancy of only 42 for women, and men who moved on leaving some families without parents.  There was no government provision:  Ken knew that something must be done.

It was 20 years ago that the Charity ‘Friends of North Kigesi Diocese’ was set up with £150 from Ken and his wife.  Last year its turnover was £76.000. The charity, with five voluntary trustees and twelve full time employees, provides sponsorship programmes for abandoned children.  At first the charity built a ‘Children’s Centre’ to care for 23 of these children until they could be reintegrated into the community.  A second centre was soon needed, built by local craftsmen and supervised by Ken.  The charity seeks to find affordable solutions to the problems it confronts and listens carefully to what local people want.  It has renovated schools and built water tanks in local villages.  Educating children from these villages is vital so that they learn to think for themselves, thus reducing the danger of exploitation. Seeking an affordable and practical solution to break the circle of HIV transmission is another priority. Children undertake mainly vocational courses as they grow up so that they can use their skills in their communities, as nurses or mechanics, for example.

In a country where the rich look after themselves and the poor are left to themselves, Ken’s dedication to and love of the Ugandans he works with is humbling.  He will shortly be giving an update on the charity’s progress following his visit in July and August this year.

Update

At the meeting on 08/11/17 club members were given an update of the progress of the ‘Friends of North Kigesi Diocese’ in Western Uganda.  Club member Ken Birkin and fellow Trustee Rachel Harris spent July and August in Uganda.  They organised the Rift Valley famine appeal and visited the charity’s Children’s Centre at Bucene; Ken also continued his ministry with the local people.

The charity raised £5,000 to provide food for starving families in the western arm of the Rift Valley, about two miles drive from Bucene.  Over 900 families were targeted, then the charity’s three ton tipper lorry transported sacks of ‘posho’ (maize) to a village in the Valley.  Four hundred and fifty people had walked from miles around to collect their food which was distributed after a silent prayer of thanks: these humble people were overjoyed, thankful and dignified.  In all his 45 years working in Uganda, Ken had never before seen the look of starvation in people’s eyes.

Ken and Rachel then spent some time at the Children’s Centre in Bucene which cares for abandoned children.  Recently two and a half year old twins, Florence and Tereza, were taken in by the Centre; they couldn’t walk, talk or stand, but now that the charity has legal responsibility for them Rotary money will help them to walk, talk and grow into normal little girls.  This is an example of what the charity does, creating an environment where the children are happy, smiling and cared for.

The charity’s project to supply fresh water to the village is nearing completion but the building of latrines will be put on hold until funds are available.  When not in Uganda Ken spends much of his time in the UK raising money for the charity.  He thanked the club for their continuing support.   (For more information go towww.fnkd.org/)

 

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