We are thrilled that Rose, Geoffrey, Richard and Betty were able to receive the food and basic provisions, including clothes, in time for Christmas thanks to the generosity of the pupils, parents and friends of St David’s College in response to the on-line ‘collection’ at the school’s virtual Carol Service.
St David’s College pupils have been supporting this child headed household over the last 7 years, providing housing, school fees, food and basic provisions. The Carol Service donations will provide food, school fees and basic provisions for the children for 2021.
The children are overseen in Uganda by the social work organisations CalmAfrica in conjunction with their school Jolly Mercy Learning Centre.
Since working with the children, the oldest boy Douglas, now in his 20’s, is able to support himself and live independently.
Chaplain of St David’s College, The Revd. Tim Hall, says, “It has been such a privilege to stand beside these children over the years as they have desperately tried to stay together and survive the rigours of life without parents. The Uganda Teams over the last few years have enabled our on-going support and this year it was so distressing to think we could not continue to support them. Parents, pupils and friends of St David’s stepped into the gap through their generosity at the Carol Service. We look forward to seeing how these children progress this year and hope and pray that new ways of supporting them will be found”.
In 2017, a combined team from St David’s College and Shebbear College worked on a new house for the children and Shebbear College ‘twinned a toilet’ with the one the team provided for the children. This long drop toilet now needs some repair work as well as a shelter building so the children can cook outside in the rains. The appeal donations link will remain open for donations during the coming year. £250 - £300 will achieve this final target.
