Update from Uganda: Flood Relief
“I am Going to Have a House again!”
Southwestern Uganda
The floods of spring 2020 devastated East Africa. One area that was extremely hard hit was the region overseen by the Diocese of Kigezi, in southwestern Uganda. ARDF learned about the floods from the Bishop, The Rt Rev. George Bagamuhunda, and from our friends in the Diocese of San Joaquin in Fresno, CA.
The Diocese of San Joaquin put out an appeal and raised over $25,000 for COVID-19 and flood relief. ARDF matched those funds with $5,000 from our own relief fund. Bishop George has sent us a report on how these funds were spent in the community. We hope you are encouraged by the testimonies.
With your donations, the church distributed more than 850 pieces of iron sheeting to those whose homes were destroyed, along with nails, blankets, and food.
One of the recipients was Kyankora Pross. A widow aged 51, Kyankora is HIV positive. She lives with 7 family members, including a child who is also HIV positive. During the torrential rains, her entire home was flooded. The family quickly made holes in the walls to release the water. However, a big mudslide caused part of the house to collapse. The other part of the house was left open to the elements. The community came to their rescue and recovered some of the family’s personal belongings.
The church and the community then helped Kyankora partially reconstruct the destroyed part of the House. Kyankora was considering taking out a loan for roofing materials. However, with these relief funds, the church was able to supply her with iron sheets, roofing nails, maize flour, and beans.
‘’This has increased my love for the Lord. I didn’t have any hope of getting out of this challenge after my house was destroyed by the rains. I have always been struggling. I am grateful to God and the Diocese of Kigezi for this support. I am going to have a house again!!”
–Kyankora Pross, Rwampiri Village
Kyankora is just one of those identified by the church to get assistance. Many others suffered a similar fate, having to evacuate their homes in the middle of the night, relying on the assistance of neighbors, but having no means to rebuild without money for materials.
“Praise God of impossibilities! I am grateful to God that I have received this support which I was not expecting. I am going to have a good house and I have food.”
–Dinah Zikanshagiza, widow aged 80, from Mukarangye
We are so grateful for the Diocese of Kigezi, for meeting the needs of flood victims in an already difficult year. We are also thankful for those donors in the Diocese of San Joaquin who heard these cries and responded generously, with open hearts.
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