Hoima Hospital Appeal

Report on the Hoima Hospital Appeal

By Eve Baker, Long Sutton and Kristina Harvey, Herriard

Background:  On January 20^th 2006, Rev Peter Dyson organised a local debate on the globally important issue of poverty in the world at Lord Wandsworth College.  On the panel were people from the church, commerce and charity.  It was a sell out, people from all walks of life attended and from that evolved a burning desire to do something locally towards alleviating the burden of poverty on those many millions of people throughout the world.

The timing was perfect, no doubt God above had a very instrumental hand in bringing together our covenant of 12 churches* with the church of St John’s in Hartley Wintney which was well on the way to Making Poverty History in the township of Hoima in central southern Uganda. 

Duncan and Helen Sherlock from St Johns were seasoned travellers to Hoima and had been inspirational leaders in setting up channels for charitable giving to fund a new school, orphanage and other much needed projects in the township.  It was they who suggested a suitable project in which our efforts could be directed – the hospital, in particular the maternity ward. 

It wasn’t long before members of the covenant community were visiting Hoima and getting a first hand experience of the poverty in which these Ugandans live.  Thelly Booth and Jan Jaggs came back with passionate stories to tell and have inspired others to do whatever they can to help.

Where are we today? From humble beginnings and within a year we now have a fully constituted steering committee raising funds for the Hoima Hospital Appeal across the covenant.  Already over £8,000 has been given to buy equipment or pay midwives’ salaries; hundreds if not thousands of baby vests, blankets, bars of soap, Vaseline pots, antiseptic wipes, small toys, sheets and loads of other useful gifts have been donated to make up maternity packs to take over for expectant mums, most of whom have nothing for themselves or their babies when they pitch up at Hoima hospital

Most recently, the parishioners of  All Saints, Long Sutton, raised £273 on behalf of the appeal, during one of their Christmas services.  Also, Lord Wandsworth College has this appeal on a priority giving status, involving students and parents in their many fundraising activities.

What can we do?

Every one of us can help in our own way for the Make Poverty History campaign.  Even within the Hoima Hospital Appeal, there are many ways to help.  Many of our donors contribute money monthly, others have written an annual cheque, others contribute at specific events and many others have donated items for the maternity packs, and still other have generously donated their time and effort toward the appeal in general.

Upcoming events:

February 07, 2007: Fund raising coffee morning in Upton Grey. Contact Margaret Haynes on 862433 Or take note of her separate announcement in the newsletter. Please support her in her upcoming trip to Hoima!

March 8 2007, 7pm– Donor Update Evening at Manor Farm Weston Corbett (on the other side of the road from Weston Patrick – look out for signs) for all those who have participated or are interested.  Committee members and other guests who have visited Hoima will be on hand to discuss achievements and future plans.  In particular, Helen and Duncan Sherlock will have returned from their trip and will speak on how they have spent some of our donations.  Contact Victoria Mitford on 01256.862812.

*Please get in touch if you would like to become more involved.  The 12 covenant churches and their Hoima Committee representatives are as follows :