In March, when we realized that Covid-19 was going to create a global pandemic, we immediately reached out to our friends in the Lwengo District of Uganda, worried for their health.  We found that they were most worried about food, “The Starvation Bug.”

The pandemic has created a food crises in many impoverished locations.  Quarantines have shut down both schools and shops.  Markets have been closed, and trucks containing supplies are delayed at every border as drivers must wait days for a negative test before they can enter Uganda. We immediately reached out to help our friends from Kyamaganda Community Development Organization.

As in other countries, schools closed immediately in Uganda.  In KCDO this means that HIV orphans, who live in the local schools were left homeless.  KCDO relocated these children to the local library, a building that WBS had helped restore after last year’s storm.  The children, who are typically fed at school, still lacked food.  We set up a Go Fund Me page, which was very helpful.  Funds from this helped buy the food you see in the picture above.  Each child was given one bag of rice and one bag of beans.  Cooking oil was also purchased.

Families were very worried about their ability to follow the simple edict: wash your hands. How do you wash your hands when there is no running water?

We were able to send 10 Jerry cans filled with Purell.

This woman returns to her home with Jerry cans, using a stocking as a mask.

Food doesn’t last, and as we do not have unlimited money so we were very worried about how we would be able to still help the KCDO community.  Our Ugandan partner, Willy, had an amazing suggestion.  The local government offered to train residents in mask-making, and also offered to purchase homemade masks.  Willy just needed sewing machines and material.  Our Go Fund Me page gave us the resources to purchase two treadle sewing machines and needed fabric.

Our KCDO friends learned how to make masks, and then trained the orphan children so that they could sustain themselves with food, cooking oil, and the petrol needed to distribute the masks throughout the KCDO community.

Funds from selling masks is now providing food which can be distributed by motorcycle.

Rice, beans and cooking oil are distributed throughout the community.

With fuel and funds the KCDO organization is also able to distribute masks and information regarding measures to protect against Covid-19.

Hunger and health continue to be enormous obstacles for KCDO, as families must eat local plants to survive.

We send enormous thanks to all who have contributed to the lives of the families of the Kyamaganda Community Development Organization.

They are so very grateful that you have held them in your hearts, and in return, they hold you in their prayers. We are still helping these families, as we aspire to build a community health center.  We are grateful for all that you can offer, and are leveraging all donations to maximize the benefits that can be realized from your contribution:  Go Fund Me. Thank you!