- Joanne Heath with little Steven
Uganda is home to 2.3 million orphans as the result of disease, war and poverty. The scale of the problem in Sub Sahara Africa is unfathomable to us in Western countries who are so far removed from such suffering and atrocities. It is a sad reality that without help, these children end up either on the streets, a victim of exploitation or dead.
The magnitude of such suffering and injustice can seem overwhelming, but if we so choose, we are in the fortunate position in Australia to take action and make an extraordinary difference.
The Forget Me Not Love Project exemplifies the plight of so many children living in Africa today.
Joanne Heath travelled to Uganda in July 2008 to volunteer at an orphanage and spent six months with thirty nine such children. Each child has their own heartbreaking story and have experienced more tragedy already in their young lives than we can even begin to imagine.
It became apparent to Joanne after several months that this particular orphanage was being grossly mismanaged by an American business woman and the children were suffering as a result i.e. sleeping on the floor with no mosquito nets, no access to clean running water, malnourished from eating only one meal a day with several contacting malaria and scabies.
After Joanne’s return to Australia in December 2008 the situation worsened. There was no food security. the children were withdrawn from school and faced the risk of being taken away from their guardian Florence Athieno Yawe – the Ugandan woman who has selflessly cared for the children over the past twelve years.
Desperate to help from a distance Joanne approached Forget Me Not Children’s Home in mid 2009 through the recommendation of Peter Meyer – a long time friend and supporter of FMNCH.
The primary goal for the Forget Me Not Love Project is to ensure the provision of security, healthcare, education and the opportunity for these children to be the best they can be. We are currently searching for sponsors for these children. Like our Nepalese sponsorship program, just $60 a month will provide a new lease of life for these kids. The actual cost of supporting each child is $120 so we will be seeking two sponsors for each child.
The Forget Me Not Team visited the home in Uganda in March 2010 and have returned brimming with stories of these little souls to share! Click here to see a video of our trip.
Every child has the right to survival, development and protection. It is for this reason alone that something must be done. Without help now, these children’s future are most certainly in jeopardy. Please send us an email or donate using the link below if you can help!
