JoCF COVID-19 Fundraiser
Hello JOCF family!
We hope that everyone is managing their way through these extraordinary times we are living in. Many aspects of life, and of our society, are being stress-tested these days. The pandemic is reshaping the way that things work, and no one is unaffected.
After sending out remarks from Deus Mwijuke (director of JOCF Uganda) in the previous email, we received several inquiries wanting to know how we could provide some further level of support to the community of Engari. After much discussion, we have devised two very simple and attainable goals that will have a major impact on the community.
First, there is a need to provide basic sustenance for the teachers at our three partner schools. As JOCF has developed, the schools have benefitted from so many children’s expenses being paid upfront and on time. Most other student’s fees are paid late in the term, and the schools depend on that to pay their teachers, so as school is no longer in session, teachers are not getting paid at all.. They don’t make enough salary to have much savings, and are going hungry. We are seeking $1,000 total to feed the 22 teachers at our three partner schools that have remained in Engari during the lockdown period, for the next three months. There is still no solid indication of when schools will reopen.
Secondly, the health clinic that Deus is also the director of, does not have all the proper medical equipment necessary to provide the level of care which combating COVID-19 demands. We would like to provide his staff with goggles, masks, sanitizing solution, and an infrared thermometer for the safety of the community. For these items, $1,000 is also needed as quickly as possible.
The sponsorship money that we continue to collect (thank you!) is creating a fund for expenses when school does resume. If we happen to have a surplus from skipping a term’s expenses, we are considering purchasing a vehicle for emergency health care needs at Deus’ clinic (HEVIA Uganda). This would mostly be used for pregnant women to reach the clinic, and for urgent referrals to other hospitals. But we shall see how things play out in the next several months.
We realize that this is a very difficult time for all of us, and for different reasons. If you find yourself in the fortunate position of being able to assist us in providing these things, we would be grateful, even if it means an extra $5 donation. If you are unable, please know that we are thankful for the support you’ve already provided to our organization, it really means a lot to us.