Dilema

How to prioritize the needs of the children of Buwundo.


Help

So many things are needed.

We have only registered 60 children. 36 are in our nursery school, 8 are going to King Solomon so e are paying their tuition and uniform and school supplies, and 16 are 3 and under. Yes there are other children in the area but $$$. I raised, with your help $3000.

Each of these children are fed 2 meals a day. WE managed to have enough money for 3 months - 5 days a week.

Now - what happens after the 3 months ???? (December 3).

What's most important if I can raise the funds.

Food - basic - fruits - one a day would cost about $1.50 for the 36 children. Doesn't sound like a lot but when there is nothing......they don't get juice of any kind due to the cost of water that has to be boiled and the cost of a jug of concentrate. These children do not even get drinking water due to the cost of water and having to boil the water to drink. To eat fish or chicken not possible due to the price.

Water - as mentioned above - water costs about 300 shillings a jeri can. We order about 7 cans a day - used for cooking, washing hands (we are really stressing this), washing the dishes. Cost of water a day is a little over a Dollar US for the 36 children. We need drinking water too. How?

Mattresses - most children sleep on the ground without a mat. This makes it almost impossible for a mosquito net to work. The nurses at the hospital couldn't even believe the children slept on the floor. Mattresses for children cost about $25 US each

Mosquito Nets - Once we get the mattresses - helps prevent malaria - need I say more?

Clothing - take a look at the pictures. These children need clothing. Most are just tattered clothes. We need people to bring clothing for these children.

Shoes - Yes they are used to walking everywhere in bare feet because they cannot afford shoes but whne you see a child's blackened toes where 'jiggers' have infestesd their toes you too woul,d want to purchase shoes for them. I have pictures of Frank's toes. A boy who is now registeres at King Solomon and noiw has shoes. We need to purchase the medicine to 'kill' the 'jiggers' as well as shoes for the children.

School - Teacher's salary (not very much 100 000 UGX a month - $50 US). Paper is so 'sacred' very costly, we had benches made but now we need some desks to write on. Supplies we have very little - only 48 pencils to last the term so much is needed for the students and teachers

Toilet - Even though it's a hole it is new to the children and many 'miss' it and then others step on it in their bare feet. We need cement. Also toilet paper - yes they use leaves, paper out of used notebooks and sometimes just drag their little butts on the ground. I have used it once and probably will never use it again.

Sports equipment - We were able to purchase 3 soccer balls. You should have seen their look and heard their excitement. They do not have anything to play with. NOTHING! Not one toy is to be found anywhere.

Medical - They cannot get to the hospital. Many have malaria and worms and need medical help. While I was here one mother died during childbirth leaving children and another mother (25 years) died leaving 4 children (to live with her father) which we took into our program.

Electricity ­ - There is none. It could be available as there is a pole not far from Jaja's house. Could we afford $25 a month?

Waiting List - WE have an additional 26 children waiting to be part of our organization ages 2 - 6. We have no funds to feed these children.

Property - We have been given the opportunity to purchase 2 acres of land nearby. The father died and the children (adults) are selling. They will sell to me for 6 million shillings but they will see to Ivan for 4 million schillings - approximately $2000 US (yes only two thousand US)

Ok so now you know my dilema. Can you help prioritize??????

In one of my next blogs I will come up with a couple of suggestions for fundraising.

God Bless and good night.