Chipiliro bids farewell
It is tempting to paint an all-rosy picture but our work has not been without problems. Here are some of the sad episodes we have faced at Urunji...
Chipiliro had a mouth ulcer which had troubled her for many months. During our community outreach, our field staff met her and we decided to take action immediately.
Charlotte our volunteer from Scotland shared the story with her circle and they immediately started a fundraiser to cover her medical bills. She needed an operation immediately.
We were lucky to have a doctor do the operation immediately with Urunji paying the incidental costs. Chipiliro recovered and started a business with the money that remained from the fundraiser.
Sadly, the ulcer (which was later reported to be a cancer) resurged. She lost hope and could not hold on to life. Chipiliro passed away a few months later, leaving behind 4 orphaned children.
Some people shun vaccination
Urunji was among the early responders to the Covid pandemic.
We provided portable hand-washing facilities as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) to some of the communities where we work.
However, some community members refused to be vaccinated, alleging that it was a plot by Europeans and Americans to sterilize people.
Tailoring programme fails to meet targets
We were fortunate (priviledged) to receive sewing machines from a partner in the UK. We trained over 60 girls and women.
We were excited they would easily come out of poverty with some training, a sewing machine and some cloth.
Unfortunately they did not acquire the skills to the expected standard. As a remedy, we lengthened the training. Sadly the machines broke down before they could brush up their skills.
Only 4 of the 60 beneficiaries are able to sew quality outfits that can appeal to both the local and international market.
