COVID struggles in Uganda: an LCU perspective

Bishop Charles Bameka assisting with food distribution in Nakabago village

As many of our supporters know, Hearts & Hope partners with the Lutheran Church of Uganda (LCU). The LCU staff governs and runs the schools we build in Uganda. In addition to supplying food and hygiene materials to our sponsored students, Hearts & Hope came together with the LCU, along with a few other US-based organizations partnered with the LCU, to assist in distributing the needed supplies to other local, suffering church & community members.  We were recently given a report by Bishop Charles Bameka, head of the LCU, about COVID in Uganda and many stories detailing the daily struggles faced during the lockdown. School closures, lack of virus PPE, and increased violence among women/girls were just some of the hardships Bishop described. The top and most devastating struggle, however, was and still is, lack of food.​

A jackfruit tree is common in Uganda. Inside the massive shell is edible sweet fruit that is impressively high in nutrition

A large pile of corn flour waiting to be distributed

​Violet Nanono, who is the missions coordinator for the LCU, reported the following harrowing testimonials from her time distributing food in Nakabango, Bafuula, and one other nearby neighborhood.

"This distribution was majorly done at the beneficiaries‘ homes as a way of ensuring social distancing and avoiding crowds. During the distribution exercise, different families showed gratitude through singing, dancing, as well as shouts of Hallelujah," Violet reported.

"Many could not believe they were getting these commodities. The majority were found hungry with no hope for food. Fruits like jackfruit, raw mangoes, and sugarcane had become their daily food. Such of which were getting scarce since all the families had to start the day by visiting their own fruit trees and (when those were out), the neighbor's fruit trees."

​One local woman who was on the distribution list had this to say, 

"I was able to secure a large jackfruit from one of my neighbors after I pleaded with her to give me at least one for my three children. When I was given the jackfruit, we divided it and I hid it somewhere in the backyard so that we could eat for at least three days. Every day at around 3 pm, I cut some, and I shared with my children. However, yesterday was the last of the jackfruit. I had nothing to feed my children. For sure you are angels sent from God. How did you know I needed food?"

​​"Many households had similar dilemmas like that of the mother," Violet continued. "Many had to sleep hungry for days and the little they got, was saved for the youngest ones to eat. Others further confessed that they had to wait for sugarcane trucks to pass by so they could beg for some sugarcane.  One child, had this to say, 'I always sit not far from the road and when I hear the sound of the sugarcane truck, I get closer and the men at the back of the truck throw me some sugarcane. I immediately run back home to share with everyone there'".

Another elderly woman suffering from HIV/AIDS in Nakabango had this to share, "My family and I are so thankful for the items. The previous days were so hard for me because I had to wait for that one serving of food in the day in order to take my medications. This has really drained me because the food is too little and I end up getting constant headaches and dizziness. My children look at me helplessly. There is nothing much they can do about the situation. This food given is a great relief to my life. Thank you for thinking about my family because I thought I was alone in this dilemma."

A local woman collecting her allotted food and hygiene supplies

​Loneliness has been a common affliction during these months of increased isolation and fear. To compound that with worry about when you and your children will eat again is nearly unimaginable. We are so happy that the LCU was able to bring these essential supplies along with much-needed hope to many of these people through these distributions. 

Hearts & Hope is very grateful to everyone who donated to our COVID campaign and to the LCU staff for distributing the supplies to these needy people in the communities. The pain that COVID has caused both economically and physically can only be remedied when people, even from across the globe, come to the assistance of our neighbors with the greatest burden on their shoulders. We look forward to healing in Uganda and the rest of the world as we continue to fight this virus and its effects together, as a family of brothers and sisters in Christ.