news 2010

Caring Hands keeps on growing and developing, a reality that any visitor on the spot cannot fail to notice. As our activities continue to increase, so does the workload.

We now have additional people working in both the administration and social-work sectors, along with reinforcements helping with the palm seed jewelry and bead making.  Even the paper department has received a brilliant volunteer, Jamie, and as our storage continues to fill up with cards and books, soon we will have the opportunity to sell these new products as well!

In the beginning of February we also welcomed three new interns; Katja and Malla from Finland, and Hannington who is from right here in Kampala, Uganda. Even I, Pia, have had the opportunity to return to this wonderful work for a few more months. But let’s not forget our new furry friend Muzungu, a stray cat who melted the hearts of and strengthened the Caring Hands team at the end of the year with her charm.

Therefore, our offices are currently bursting at the seams and even part of the Happonen’s house has been converted into a storage facility and a place to accommodate the papermaking team.

But the best part of all this is that the work continues to progress and there is always plenty of activity!

Prepared for the New Year!

As some of you know, we were literally on fire at the end of 2009 as our facilities burst into flames. After making it through that ordeal we are now wiser and have obtained fire extinguishers as well as had training in how to use them. Needless to say, we are learning to be more careful, and candles in particular (used in the process of making earrings) are now used only under great care and strict supervision.

Improving the quality of life: from the hard floor to a soft bed.

Thanks to all the family supporters and people who have purchased Caring Hands beads,  every single member of Nirere Prossy and Mukakigeri Madeleine’s families now get to sleep and dream each night in a bed of their own! Webale nnyo mwena!

Keeping up with the latest fashion

We have already surveyed the color schemes and trends for the Spring and Summer of 2010, as well as taken a peek at the latest fashion and styles for the coming fall and winter. Caring Hands is keeping up with the tide as cardboard boxes and packages are quickly filling up with the most delicious colors and jewelry. In fact, orders keep coming in at such a rapid pace that the atmosphere around here often resembles Santa’s workshop at the North Pole!

Flood of the needy

Every single day there are women with their children, fathers, the sick, and many other needy people showing up and waiting in front of the Caring Hands offices in hopes of receiving help and assistance. Let us take for example, the story of Nalunkuma Evan and her one and a half year old son Alex:

The morning of February 17^th brought with it a young woman to our office with a child in her arms. This child, a small boy, seemed somewhat rigid, but the worry and suffering could be seen on his mother’s face.

The boy’s health began to suffer last September when his left eye began to swell. At the time, a small surgical procedure was done at the Mengo Hospital, but only a week after the operation, the situation grew worse. The swelling continued to increase until the entire area around the eye was the size of a large grapefruit, oozing liquids. Alex and his mother had also been to the doctor at Mulago hospital, but the further tests and CT-scan needed before a more significant operation could even be considered , were expensive and they simply could not afford them.

Worried about her son’s health and frustrated at their financial situation, Alex’s mother Eva prayed for her son. One day as she sat in a Matatu, a small bus, a complete stranger told her about Madam Milla and Caring Hands. As a result, a small spark of hope was reignited in the hearts of the pair. 

Now Eva is a widow and mother of four children. Her husband died last July after being taken ill with Malaria. She now lives in a village called Kireku with her sister and her son Alex. After the youngest son became ill, Eva had sent her other three children to live with their grandmother. Although there hasn’t been any work available, what has helped the daily lives of this poor family is a small garden where they have been able to grow their own food.

Caring Hands assisted Eva and Alex by providing them with the funds for a CT-scan and other required pre-surgery tests, and so Alex will be going to the hospital next Monday, March 3^rd.

We will wait and watch to see how the story continues.

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year 2010!

With Love, the Caring Hands Team.