Every year for the past 15 years, my kids’ school has held a fund raising campaign for the orphans of Kibaale, Uganda. This year the need is for a new medical clinic and the sponsorship of several new orphans. You may wonder why there are so many orphans in Uganda. I did too. A little research led me to find out that the Uganda is a veritable “Ground Zero” for the AIDS pandemic in Africa. Many of these kids have been orphaned by AIDS.
The school’s heart and soul is poured out during this campaign. The goal this year: $100,000. Everyone is excited. For two weeks before the Walk, every student from Kindergarten to Grade 12 goes door-to-door or Grandpa to Grandma, asking for donations. Many give their birthday money. Some do chores to earn money. My kids went around the neighborhood, asked friends at church, phoned Aunts who may be able to give.
The big day came on the first of May and the goal was surpassed by a mile: $160,000 raised. Every penny of it is going towards building a medical clinic in Kibaale and to support the orphans there. Imagine – every dollar was raised by a child (ok, some were teens) who believed in the cause. Their hard work means many orphans will be fed, sheltered and schooled for the coming year.
