Provide Health Care for the Poor in Uganda
Happy New Year! I pray that this year will be a time of great blessing for you, your loved ones and — most especially — for those we serve in our missions. Additionally, as I have shared with you before, I hope you know how grateful we are for your kindness and your willingness to partner with our missionaries in the work of improving the lives of those who are suffering. Together, we have done so very much for those in need! For this reason, I am excited about what the future holds for so many poor families in Africa.
“The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”
Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher (6th century BC)
Happy New Year! I pray that this year will be a time of great blessing for you, your loved ones and — most especially — for those we serve in our missions. Additionally, as I have shared with you before, I hope you know how grateful we are for your kindness and your willingness to partner with our missionaries in the work of improving the lives of those who are suffering. Together, we have done so very much for those in need! For this reason, I am excited about what the future holds for so many poor families in Africa.
Because of your generosity, lives are being changed!
Mothers and children at the Health Center.
As I write this letter to you, many people are also optimistic that this year might bring significant changes for some of Africa’s poorest families due to commitments by some of the world’s wealthiest entrepreneurs . . . billionaires who are committing funds for research and even vaccinations in hopes of eradicating diseases such as polio and malaria. What an incredible blessing this will be! At the same time, I want to echo the proverb printed at the top of this page — making life better for the poor is an extremely long process . . . but it is one that moves step by step every time we work together.
Please let me explain.
Recently, I received a letter from Sr. Specioza Mbarimu, a missionary Sister in charge of the St. Jacinta Health Center — serving the people of Rukungiri in rural Uganda in East Africa. The Health Center serves some of Africa’s poorest men, women and children — providing basic health care for those have no other health services available to them.
“The Health Center is very basic,” Sr. Specioza explains, “so there are so many things we need. One of the most immediate needs is for beds to replace the stretchers that are being used for patients who are admitted to the clinic for a longer period of time.”
“Presently, we have 15 wooden beds, 15 blankets, one delivery bed, one laboratory microscope, one blood pressure machine and three tables,” she writes. “We would like to purchase at least 10 more beds, another delivery bed, as well as small cabinets to place beside each bed to keep the patients’ belongings clean, and for storing other items.”
Health worker giving a talk on nutrition.
“We started the clinic about five years ago,” Sr. Specioza continues, “and the number of people coming to us continues to increase monthly. I am hoping that you can help us in some way.”
My friend, health care for those who are poor and suffering is a need that exists in just about every locale around the globe. Perhaps you can reach out to help those in your own community by volunteering at your neighborhood “free-clinic” — or even encouraging your local community leaders to make sure health services are available to low-income families.
Weighing babies on immunization day!
At the same time, will you help the people in Sr. Specioza’s mission in Uganda get the items they need to sustain the work of the St. Jacinta Health Center — as well as help other missions throughout East Africa? Our goal is to raise at least $32,000 for these most vital programs! Together, you and I can do so much to help those in need. Yes, there is a tremendous amount to be done, but every journey begins with a single step. God bless you for your continued generosity and caring!
Your Missionary Friend,
Denis P. Pringle
Director of Development