UGANDA: Catholic Communicators in Uganda donate items to Children’s home
As part of the activities to mark the Corporal Works of Mercy in this Jubilee Year of Mercy as announced by Pope Francis early last year, the Association of Catholic Communicators Practitioners in Uganda (ACCPU) on Monday August 15, 2016, visited and donated food and toiletries items to Nsambya Babies’ Home which belongs to Child Welfare and Adoption Society (CWAS).
Nsambya Babies Home is an orphanage that was established in 1958 and is managed by the sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix – Ggogonya.
During the visit, the ACCPU members donated items like sugar, flour, soap and tissue papers among other toiletries. They were represented by the vice president, Carol Akullo, the Secretary General, Valerian Kkonde and one of the board member, Charles Ndaula.
Simon Peter Byakatonda at a past ACCPU function
While presenting the items, Mr. Kkonde said the donation was one of the objectives of the association in providing for the less privileged and needy in the society especially during this Jubilee Year of Mercy where Christians are required to perform Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
“We decided to visit the home so to show love and care to the children as we celebrate this day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in this Jubilee Year of Mercy,” he said adding, “We would like to continue supporting these children in many ways in the coming future. This donation is one of our core objectives which is to put smiles and love in the faces of the less privileged children in the society.”
He urged other Christians to visit the home often and offer any kind of support including offering non-tangible services because the caretakers are sometimes overwhelmed. He, however, expressed hope that God will bless the hands of the caretakers of the needy children, while urging other charitable organizations to follow their example.
“We are now aware of the needs of these children and we are looking forward to for another visit to donate more items that they need,” he added.
Meanwhile, most of the children at the Home are abandoned children who were dumped in the hospitals, streets and even church premises. They are usually picked up and brought to the home by good Samaritans. The Babies’ home cares for abandoned children between 0-5 years old. Currently it has a total of 33 children aged from a month old to six years.
CWAS is a Christian non-government organization that advocates for children and promotes the care of vulnerable ones to grow into responsible adults. CWAS has three children homes and a vocational training centre.
By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
