Dear Friends & Partners,
“Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All.” This message is just as important today, as at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas gives us the opportunity to rejoice but also pause and reflect on the important ‘things’ around us. The unpredictability of the past few years has seen a change in people and appreciation of our family and friends and what we have. We thank the Almighty God for the blessings he has given us that have enabled the organisation to continue providing valuable services to the community.
Christmas is also a special time for children and for the 36 young children who are staying at the New Hope Children’s hostel, whilst they access treatment for their cancer, started celebrating early with a Christmas party on Friday at the hostel. They met Santa, had face painting, enjoyed the bouncing castle, had ice cream and special lunch followed by the all-time favourite, cake. Thank you to our friends who sponsored the party. It was thoroughly enjoyed by the children. Even though the children won’t be making it home for Christmas this year as they must continue with their treatment, we pray that next year they will be free of their cancer and able to celebrate Christmas at home with their families.
This year the hostel has supported over 360 children and their caregivers, and we are pleased that 181 children are in remission. Sadly 42 children passed away and our prayers and thoughts go out to these families.
Where do I start?
This has been a very special year for KHC, we marked 15 years of when we began our journey. This is a major milestone for us as an organisation. It was an opportunity to reflect on why we started this work and also to acknowledge our achievements. The board and management noted the need for KHC to keep focused on the needs of the patient and making the organisation more sustainable.
We continue to provide excellent service for our patients with HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. This year we were delighted to be recognized by the USAID DefeatTB project as one of the leading civil society organizations working to control the TB epidermic in the country. We also continue to provide an important service for our clients with HIV/AIDS through the out-patient clinic, out-reach clinic, home based care and other innovative approaches that have enabled us to get the services closer to the clients.
We greatly appreciate our funders who enable us to deliver these services: The Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) in partnership with the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), the USAID DefeatTB project, the ELMA Foundation, Friends of Reach Out (FORO), Samaritan & the Global Partners in Care, Open Society Institute of East Africa (OSIEA), Culture Without Borders, the Joint Medical Stores and the Uganda Stop TB partnership.
Kawempe Home Care is also extremely grateful to our private donors, for your support throughout the year. Many of you have donated during the GlobalGiving campaigns, also friends rallied, and we were able to get a new engine for our 4-wheel drive vehicle and get back on the road again and provide the medical team with transport, to visit palliative care patients at home. Our school fees sponsors, enable 76 disadvantaged and orphaned children to go to school.
The in-kind donations from local church groups and friends, particularly food for the children’s hostel was very important, as we have been at full capacity, accommodating the children and their caregivers at the hostel.
KHC also appreciated the visiting international and local volunteers who provided invaluable support to our staff and patients.
“I found the work of KHC impressive. With their holistic approach, they help those who otherwise wouldn’t get any help. It’s not only about free medical care, but above all that people know that they have a place. That they do matter and that there is always someone to listen to them. I have always found the interaction with patients to be extremely respectful and benevolent.” Philipp – Volunteer who worked in Germany as resident physician in trauma surgery.
I am very proud of the work our KHC team do within the community. The staff and community volunteers are the backbone of the organisation. I would also like to acknowledge the great support and guidance that we received from the KHC Board members throughout the year, and we deeply appreciate their commitment and enthusiasm.
Underpinning this wonderful team is you our partners and friends who continue to support the work we do. Thank you and God Bless.
To all of the angels at Kawempe,
Thank you for all the good you do each day to make this world a better place. The compassion and care you give your community is inspiring.
Wishing you blessings during this season and throughout the year.
With much love,
Linda
Wishing your staff and their families, as well as those in your care a very Merry Christmas, and a safe, happy and healthy 2023.
The video was lovely – your dedication to helping others is truly inspiring KHC. Thank you for all that you do!
Congratulations team KHC you continue to make such a difference to so many lives. What you do inspires us. Have an amazing Christmas and we will see you in 2023.
Carol & Tom
Loved the video!
We wish you all the best for Christmas and the New Year.
Regards
Chris and Margaret
Dear friends I wish you all, – children and the staff at KHC a Merry Christmas, and all the best for the new year
I am looking forward to meet you all
in January!
All the best from Aunty Inger
Dear Kawempe Home Care Team – thank you for sharing this video and for the wonderful work you do to support those in your care. We are blessed to have you as one of our partners. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
NICE VIDOE , I WISH ALL THE CHILDREN AND THE STAFF OF KHC A MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR, THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFULL WORK FOR THE CHILDREN .
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL
SARAH