About Us

Reach Out - Mbuya Parish HIV/AIDS Initiative was founded in May 2001 by Dr Margrethe Juncker and Fr Joseph Archetti Guiseppe. The idea of Reach Out started with dedicated, caring Mbuya parishioners who wanted to relieve the pain of the sick and poor people within the community who had no help or support. They would visit them, pray with them, comfort them and hold their hands during the last days of their lives. The vast majority of these sick people had HIV/AIDS. Hence when Reach Out started, first medical and shortly thereafter social support were added to these gestures of love. This included counseling, testing, treatment of opportunistic infections, food and education about infectious diseases. Eventually, when health was regained, opportunities for starting a small business were provided. In addition, children of clients were provided with financial support for school fees, so that they could get a basic education and have a better chance of a brighter future without HIV/AIDS.

From our humble beginnings with only 14 clients, Reach Out has grown to serve over 2700 (December 2007) people living with HIV/AIDS in the Mbuya Parish. More than 1500 of our clients are on free antiretroviral medicines. The micro-finance and income generating programs have expanded to serve over 1000 clients and their families. We now have very active prevention programs reaching out to youth in and out of school, married couples and people with high risk behavior. The best part though, is that the distinction between 'service provider' and 'service receiver' had faded with more than 53% our volunteers being clients themselves.

An important milestone in our journey was the NGO status granted to us in April 2006 by the Government of Uganda. With this status we have been able to increase and improve the services we offer to our clients within the Reach Out catchment area.

We continue to base our work on love for our fellow human beings in whatever shape or state we meet them, whether they come sick and wasted to the clinic for their first testing or off the airplane wanting to help and learn. We cannot claim to always succeed, but we are always trying. The goal is 'HOPE FOR THE FUTURE' for all of us because we want you to exist!