Dear friends,
I wish you a wonderful Advent Sunday. Thanks to friends like you, Kids of Africa has been able to help children for 20 years. And as long as we are able, we will continue on the path of helping people to help themselves. Because it works. Sustainably. Our protégés illustrate this, as do our outreach projects, where we help to free children from the vicious cycle of poverty. For 20 years. Thank you for continuing to stand by them!
Example #1: World’s Light and Sudan’s war refugee children
Did you know that Uganda hosts more refugees than any other country in the world? Around four million refugees live here. Most have fled the devastating war in neighbouring Sudan, while others have fled the war in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The UN estimates that over six million people have died in Sudan as a result of the war. Some Sudanese refugees are our neighbours. Our teacher Christine and her husband founded the World’s Light Junior School for them. It breaks the vicious cycle of poverty. It teaches and feeds destitute refugee children who cannot read, write, do arithmetic or speak English. And in doing so, it helps entire families.
This helps the children regain their self-confidence, dignity and hope. If parents cannot afford school fees, we step in. We call this an “outreach project”. It is small, but very important. Because each of these children will matter in the future.
World’s Light School helps people to help themselves, which inspires the whole neighbourhood. It’s like when you throw a pebble into water and it makes ripples. Check out the video that Esbern Budolfsen, our awesome Head of Education, recorded last week.
Example #2: Hygiene for girls
In Uganda, disposable sanitary pads are unaffordable for many girls. However, without protection, they often do not dare to leave the house during their period, staying away from school and friends.
We regularly organise popular workshops. Under supervision, the girls make reusable cloth sanitary pads. Suddenly, they develop an interest in sewing, and more follows: shirts, skirts, bags. It’s a simple idea that’s fun and has a big impact. Take a look at the short video from the workshop in our dining room.
Thank you for your support, and I wish you a wonderful Advent season!
Yours sincerely,
Burkhard Varnholt
