HIV/AIDs affected children run to raise school fees

Some of the orphaned children display their trophies for winning their respective races which they participated in on December7, 2019. Photo by Anthony Wesaka

Hundreds of children orphaned as a result of HIV/Aids pandemic on Saturday took part in a marathon aimed at raising funds for the continuation of their education next year.
The marathon organised by Reach Out Mbuya Parish HIV/ Aids initiative in conjunction with Our Lady of Africa Church, snaked through areas surrounding Mbuya in a bid to raise next year's school fees.
The orphans and other vulnerable children have lost either one or both parents to Aids scourge.

According to the organisers of the 4th annual marathon, they have more than 90 children in their care that need to be supported with school fees next year if they are to continue with their education, hence the charity run, which was being used as one of the local fundraising avenues.
On average, they need about Shs765,000 annually for lower primary, Shs1,080,000 for upper primary and Shs3.6 for both A and O level in order to support these children's education.
One of the beneficiaries is a young man who only identified himself as Alfred.

In his testimony to the runners, Alfred said he was helped right from primary level when he was stuck without fees.
An emotional Alfred said he was taken through primary and secondary education levels before they were hit by shortage of funds.
Eng. Alex Gisagaa of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), who was the chief guest, urged the management of Reach Out Mbuya to always invite them (professionals) to speak to the children about their career choices.
Mr Gisagaa donated Shs3 million on behalf of NWSC towards their education fund.

The executive director of Reach Out Mbuya, Ms Josephine Kaleebi, said the amount of funds that they will raise from the charity run will determine how many vulnerable children they support the following ear.
"We usually get these children from the surrounding slams after they have failed to raise school fees and we help them to complete their education as a way of supporting social development," Ms Kaleebi explained.
Every December 1, Uganda joins the rest of the world to mark the world Aids day.