Children of Hope and Dignity (COHAD) 

In recent decades the Kumi District in Eastern Uganda has been faced with famine, a brutal civil war, and most deadly of all, the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

In 2012, Mission Direct is continuing to work with the charity COHAD as they start to generate income to support their community. COHAD provides homes for orphans of AIDS and civil war. Each home houses up to ten children and is tended to by a local widow who acts as ‘house mother’. She provides food, education, healthcare and nurture – giving the children back some semblance of family life that they desperately long for, as well as hope for the future.

House 8 requires completion – adding a roof, internal painting and external rough casting. The budget for this is approximately £4000. Income generation is now the focus at COHAD and we will be constructing a cow shelter to enable the community at COHAD to raise cows, have fresh milk and an income to support the project.

House 8 requires completion – adding a roof, internal painting and external rough casting. The budget for this is approximately £4000.

Income generation is now the focus at COHAD and we will be constructing a cow shelter to enable the community at COHAD to raise cows, have fresh milk and an income to support the project.

Volunteers will also be working at St Martin Secondary School, where Pastor Benjamin is a member of the Board of Governors, to complete an examination hall, finish a boy’s hostel and also equip and furnish a computer lab. Lead by Head Teacher Isaac, St Martin is a progressive school with an active Parent Teacher Association who have been working hard on providing new buildings at the school. You will have the opportunity to complete some of the building work here and take this school to the next level. The budget for this is approximately £10,000.

 

You will be spending mornings on the building project giving you the chance to experience life at COHAD and to become one of the St Martin Secondary School community. The teams will continue to support the wider community in further welfare, education and potential building projects, with the focus on health and education. You will also have the chance to visit a village community in rural Kumi and share the gift of food with them.

 

 

Also on your trip

You will also visit a number of other projects in the Kumi area:

• We will join the 350 pupils in Kanyum Community Primary School to do some craft and games activities or perhaps teach under the tree

• There is a visit to a missionary hospital with specialist clinics for children’s disability. You will see the work of the staff and interact with the patients waiting for treatment

• You can help with the most urgent needs at the Kumi Health Centre - this may involve redecorating or renovation projects or providing much needed encouragement and prayer

• You will also have the chance to do drama, music, art, games and more with the secondary students at St Martin School

Off Duty for Swim ‘n’ Safari

During the free time you will visit Murchison Falls National Park and wind down with a short safari. So, pack your camera and get ready to spot lions, elephants, hippos and buffalos.