Caritas Uganda Roots for less Privileged Children through Local Fundraising

 

by Valerian Kkonde
ACCPU               

 

Some of Caritas Uganda staff at their office in Nsambya- Catholic Secretariat. Photo by Valerian Kkonde/ ACCPU

“A swift adoption of diversified fundraising strategies and broad engagement of grassroots givers can help ensure stability while creating a stronger base for future cultivation.”

That is the advice of Paul Clolery having noted a decrease in both the number of donors and dollars given across all donor types during the first quarter of 2023. This advice is aimed at countries like Uganda which are heavily dependent on donor- funding.

For Caritas Uganda, almost 100% depending on external donors and having no back-up plans when the donor taps run dry, this is a word to the wise.

Caritas Uganda is a Commission of the Uganda Episcopal Conference. It is the social services development and charitable arm of the Catholic Church. Caritas’ four priorities are: “Demand Truth and Accountability, Pursue Justice, Educate and Mobilize, and Strengthen People’s Participation.”

In order to remain relevant to its mission and mandate of caring for the needy members of the community, Caritas Uganda has come up with a program known as Childcare and Emergency Relief Program (CERP). CERP enables flexible funding to help Caritas Uganda respond to the food, education and health needs of the orphaned and vulnerable children, adolescent youths, and the sick and the elderly and offer real time response to the emergencies that occur in Uganda.

Such emergencies include famine, floods, wars, landslides and drought to mention a few.

“This program offers an opportunity to each and every person or organisation, in and outside Uganda, with an interest of supporting children and emergencies in Uganda, to make a free contribution to this cause,” points out Rosemary the Coordinator of the program.

According to UNICEF 2023 study, Uganda is home to over 900,000 child refugees and asylum seekers who have fled conflict or persecution from South Sudan, the DRC and Burundi. In the same year, the UNHCR study revealed that 2,207 people died of hunger in Karamoja region as a result of long dry spells. This led to acute famine.

Uganda continues to face major challenges in providing quality and accessible basic education to children and adolescents. The UNICEF study further revealed that only one of four children who start Primary School attends Secondary schools. There are a number of factors responsible for this.

Environmental crisis. The Church's prophetic voice is needed in these turbulent times. 
Photo by Valerian Kkonde/ACCPU

The global economic outlook remains fragile amidst a highly challenging environment and uncertainties. The wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Myanmar, Sudan, and many other parts of the world occupied with pandemics like COVID-19, recurrent epidemics like Ebola, the increasing state of HIV/AIDS of which globally 38 million people are still living with HIV.

According to the UN 2020 report, 25.4 million people are now on treatment and 12.6 million people are still waiting.

The new waves of natural disasters including floods, earthquakes, cyclones and droughts have reversed years of global progress across many years of sustainable development including poverty, healthcare and education affecting particularly women and children in developing countries

A new report by the World Bank found that in 2020 alone, the global extreme poverty rate rose from 8.4 per cent to 9.3 per cent as the pandemic drove 70 million more people into extreme poverty.

The areas targeted through this program include Education of the orphaned and vulnerable children, Food emergency and relief response to children in families hit by natural calamities and war, as well as Children and teens spiritual and psychosocial support.

Other areas targeted are Nutrition for children and breastfeeding mothers, Relief for children living with disabilities, and Skilling children living with disabilities and their caretakers. Health care for orphaned and vulnerable children as well as Child protection and safeguarding are also to be catered for.

According to Rosemary, the Coordinator of the Program, those interested in supporting this cause can contact Caritas Uganda at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat in Nsambya.

Fundraising strategies include direct bank standing orders, organizing a run and selling kits countrywide as well as organizing a dinner. Emergency appeals will also be made whenever national or regional disasters strike.

Keeping the young in school is a crucial battle for Uganda’s future. Photo by Valerian Kkonde/ACCPU

During the Lenten Season, bags will be sent out countrywide so that people can make their Lenten savings from Ash- Wednesday to Palm Sunday. Individuals who may want to make direct sponsorship for orphaned children and those without a family able to support them in their education are also welcome. Direct sponsorship requires recommendation by the LC1, Catechists and Parish Priests. For those at university level, the Bishop’s recommendation will have to be added.

With increasing levels of poverty and rampant disasters, Caritas Uganda’s drive to bring hope and dignity to the less privileged children should be given the necessary support. It is a crucial battle for Uganda’s future. Through such support to the vulnerable we can all look to a future where sustainable peace and development are assured.