COVID-19 Continues in Uganda
After such a wild 2020, it finally feels like things are returning back to a sense of normalcy here in America and I am so grateful for that! How great it is to gather with family and friends again and breathe in the fresh air...mask-free. As I was listening to the latest Ugandan news broadcasts these last few weeks, it was very saddening/humbling to hear of the difficulties our friends in Uganda are having gaining access to COVID vaccines, healthcare, etc.
Although many of our lives have now returned to a more normal frequency, for our brothers and sisters in Uganda, this could not be further from the case. On June 6th, 2021, President Yoweri Museveni (Uganda's President), issued another severe lockdown for the country due to soaring numbers of COVID-19 cases across Uganda. The lockdown was initially set for 42 days but is likely to be extended much longer past this date due to the increase in cases and the very limited availability of vaccines. Today, less than 2% of Uganda's population has been vaccinated. Please continue to pray for access to adequate vaccines and healthcare for Ugandans.
These last 18 months have brought severe disruptions to many of our students and families as they've experienced inconsistent schooling, delays in end-of-year exams, improper supervision at home, restricted movement, financial hardships, teenage pregnancy, the loss of loved ones, and so much more. Phoebe shared with me recently that she and Peter feel strongly that the ministry is to reach out to the 60+ most vulnerable families in our programs who are very much in need of our help. Read below to learn more about the current need in Uganda.
"With the current lockdown, markets are closed, and many of the families in our programs find themselves unable to work and feed their families. These people are casual laborers (think motorcycle drivers, peasant farmers, etc.) and with the restrictions in place, they're unable to go out and work. We feel we are to be the hands and feet of Christ to the 60+ families from our different DCM centers who are in the most critical need of help. The ministry is fundraising in order to provide relief to these vulnerable families with the basic daily essentials like soap for handwashing, maize flour, beans, and first aid/basic medications. Any amount of funds raised for this COVID-19 Relief Fund will be so greatly appreciated by these families. Families being helped fall under the following categories:
- Children who stay with grandmothers around our communities.
- Homes that are headed by hand-to-mouth parents or guardians. These are motorcycle riders who just transport people from place to place but now are locked down at home.
- Households with disabled parents caring for children.
- Also, we have some church members that are in dire need. None of them are demanding from us but we just feel for them and our children."- DCM Director, Phoebe Sozi
Our funding goal to provide for the 60+ families mentioned above is $8,400. This would enable us to feed them for 30 days (and provide them with other basic essentials) and ease the stress of living in the confines of a lockdown. Once this funding goal is reached and distributed to the families (in the form of the essentials mentioned), we will reassess the situation and the appropriate response to take. Thank you for being a part of this DCM donor family. We couldn't do what we do without you. On behalf of the Sozis and all of our DCM staff, THANK YOU so much!
"Why a RELIEF fund?" So glad you asked. Watch this short video to learn more about why we believe the COVID-19 Relief Fund is the most appropriate response to the current lockdown in Uganda. Click the button below to enjoy a FREE ebook from the Chalmer's Center.