For a whole week, partners and friends of Reach Out Mbuya Community Health Initiative (ROM) participated in various activities to raise school fees for Orphans and Vulnerable Children affected by the adverse effects of HIV.
Every year, ROM together with Our Lady of Africa Catholic Church Mbuya organize a Charity Drive to reinstate and maintain these children in school for a brighter future. This year, the theme was “Together, we keep Children in School”. The drive attracted various participants including but not limited to corporate companies, the Church and individuals joining efforts to the same cause of ensuring vulnerable children attain education.
With love and commitment, participants turned up for the Holy Mass of Sacrifice at Our Lady of Africa Catholic Church Mbuya on 1st December to commemorate World AIDS Day and remember loved ones lost to HIV. Fr. James Patrick Jjumba who led Mass encouraged the congregation to keep safe from HIV and support those already infected with the virus. Candles were also lit and prayers said for the deceased’s eternal rest.
Also, garage sales run from 28th November to 2nd December, where different items ranging from wardrobe items, kitchen ware and much more were sold to the public to raise more funds.
The drive was crowned with a Charity Run on December 2nd, at which Rotarian P.E Anthony Ogalo from Rotary Club of Kampala West was the Chief Runner. He appreciated ROM for organizing such an important event and pledged to always be part of all ROM efforts to improve the lives of Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Winners of the 3km and 10km distances were awarded with medals and fruit tree plantlets. All those who attended the run were also given plantlets.
The ROM Executive Director Ms. Josephine Kaleebi warmly appreciated participants for all their contributions towards the education of vulnerable children. Presenting one of the ROM Charity Run beneficiaries to the participants, Josephine gladly told the story of a once vulnerable girl without school fees-but now a fully trained laboratory assistant currently employed at ROM Banda site. She urged them all never to get tired of helping those in need.
ROM staff, management and Board of Directors are so grateful to all participants for their generous contributions towards the noble cause to educate Orphans and Vulnerable Children.
