The power of Generosity
There are some children who are exposed to such risks and vulnerability that it is difficult to know how best to help them. The Kampala slum area of Kosovo is a place where children face enormous challenges. Their frequent experience of illness, food shortage and violence frustrates efforts to achieve a reasonable standard of living as they are repeatedly throw them back into destitution. There is no capacity to absorb these knocks, as many families are refugees from neighbouring countries, headed by single parents and have little resources. Many children succumb to crime or become disabled, Many girls are forced into marriages at a young age and enter a life of servitude.
HUGS has been working with an NGO in the Kosovo slum called CEFOVID (Community Empowerment for Village Development). They have a dream, which we are overjoyed to be able to help turn into a reality. Together we will be building a new school. It will be in the country, north of Kampala and provide a space where 300 primary aged children, from the slum, will be able to run, play and grown without threat of violence. It will provide nutritious food and quality education. It will remove children from risk and harm, and give them improved chances to develop self-worth and capitalise on future opportunity.
This has only been possible because of the power of generosity from a private UK donor, and the support of three small UK charities who share our vision. Bury Africa Outreach, Friends of two Tone and Jamie's Legacy. Together we already sponsor 100 of the Kosovo children to attend school in Kampala, (though the quality of these schools is not ideal). Once our new school is competed, they will be first to be asked to attend, guaranteeing the school an initial income and improving sustainability.
The school will have:
- 10 acres of land
- 8 classrooms
- Performance hall
- Dormitory
- Play equipment and sports field
- Teachers accommodation
- Solar lighting, clean water and good food
We also give our thanks to Cameron Taylor who completed a mammoth cycle ride, around Ireland to raise all the necessary funds to develop the sports pitches at St Francis de Sales Special Needs School. Physical activity for children who are ‘differently abled’ is an essential ingredient to help then gain confidence, health and learn to work and be accepted by others. St Francis de Sales in a beautify school, and is flourishing thanks to the you, the HUGS supporters, and the power of your generosity.
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