When COVID19 was just hitting and Uganda was under a very restricting lockdown, several generous donors sent funds specifically for COVID19 Relief. We have used some of those funds to provide food supplements to the families of our boys’ who stay off-site. The gifts of rice, posho (corn flour that is a staple in the Ugandan diet), beans, etc. were a huge blessing to all who received them.
As our designated funds were getting used up, month by month, the staff decided to take a different approach with some of our older boys who live with their families instead of on-site at The Shepherd Center. We decided to use some of these funds as start-up capital for small businesses of some kind so that the boys would have something to keep them occupied as they wait for schools to reopen as well as help them contribute to their families financially.
We had individual meetings with the boys to discuss what business ideas could work for them and their families. They were all thrilled with the idea and happy to get started! In fact, some of our boys had already started doing something to earn some money, so we came alongside them to help improve or increase their capabilities. Boys had a range of proposals including selling charcoal or potatoes, making street food like chapattis or roasted maize, and even rearing animals such as pigs, rabbits, chickens, or goats. Each boy has a staff member assigned to him as an advisor. Of course some have found success right away, while others are battling challenges. Either way, we believe this is a very beneficial exercise for all involved.
Thanks so much to all those who gave specficially to help our boys’ families with COVID Relief this year!
If you would like to make a donation to offer further assistance to The Shepherd Center boys’ and their families as they are still struggling economically, click here. Be sure to mention that the gift is for COVID Relief in the notes field.
God bless you!
