Giving Stories Blog

A renown comedy ensemble in Uganda, called Fun Factory comedians have released a hilarious, yet immensely educative video out. The song, a tale of lyrical comedy is basically encouraging the public to always wear masks to prevent the spread of the Corona virus. The introductory verse is effortlessly delivered by the loud “Amos”, a character played by the immensely talented Richard Tuwangye, who is also slated to host the CivSource Africa “Gathering of Givers” event, to celebrate generosity, which will happen this month, on 30th-September. More

Her dream is to look out for the vulnerable through storytelling to liven up them from despair. Noreen Asekenye is enthusiastic about telling stories and through her Tell a Story Foundation Uganda, she is helping revitalize hope in the vulnerable communities.

Ever since its inception, the foundation has been touching and connecting lives through stories and acts of charity in a bid to champion love for humanity. As the lockdown continues to take place with no definite timeline of when it will be fully lifted, Asekenye has also weaved a project called, Together4Good. More

Mercy Ariokot, a market vendor in Bukedea District first complained of pain in her abdomen at the beginning of the lockdown. Toto (which means mother in the local dialect of Ateso), noticed that the pain was only getting worse as the weeks went by. Sadly, her business was not making as much either. Meaning that she could not afford to get the needed treatment. More

The impact of COVID-19 has created a vacuum on many livelihoods. Sports is one of those areas affected. Many players have found themselves without the day’s meal. However, African and Jewish Lacrosse enthusiasts have donated to a section of Ugandan Lacrosse players.

According to Kawowo Sports, an online sports news site, The August-2020 donation is just one of the many donations since the lockdown was announced in Uganda. They provided food to SilverBacks Academy and the Nile Crocs Teams. More

The aftershocks of the lockdown have seen many hospitals call for need for more blood because of the shortage that has hit several parts of the country. Many regional blood banks are in dire need of blood. And according to the Uganda Radio Network (URN), the Northern region is one of the worst hit areas.

Also, according to the Uganda Redcross Society, the current numbers are worrying; and its far gap from what they used to collect before the lockdown was instituted by government. More

Philanthropy in Uganda simmered to the top during the coronavirus pandemic. CivSource Africa has since noted that a notable number of givers don’t have much themselves, but still choose to share the little they have. For example, despite needing help themselves, a group of orphans donated relief items to the elderly people in the Nsambya community. More

Tourism enthusiasts across Africa have donated towards fighting wildlife plundering in Uganda during the pandemic. Through their umbrella organisation, Africa Wildlife Foundation (AWF), they delivered a total of thirteen motorbikes with their riding jackets, and helmets to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). More

A section of private school teachers in Gulu City and surrounding areas launched a social media campaign dubbed, “Open our Schools or Feed the Teachers”. At the start of the campaign, they had called out to teachers, who felt more vulnerable by the COVID-19 crisis to register for food aid. Once they had gathered the numbers, they took to social media to highlight the plight of the teachers in dire need of help.

According to The Independent Magazine, the campaign was successful and achieved its target. Help arrived. More

Uncertainty has been one thing that characterized this season of the COVID-19 situation. And for many, their livelihoods had been affected. However, a group of philanthropists have chosen to extend different vocational skills to many across the country.

The philanthropists move from place to place, identifying groups of youth to work with, and they equip them with different vocational skills in order to sustain their livelihoods. The group offers the skilling services at subsidized rates, for as low as shs10,000, (about 2 dollars). But they also offer free training services where need be. More

For six months now, tour operator, Joseph Ojatum and his friends have served over 3000 meals around Jinja City and surrounding areas. Before the coronavirus held the entire country at ransom, the youthful Ojatum occasionally dropped off a meal to his vulnerable neighbours. However, when the lockdown was announced, he witnessed situations that needed more than the occasional help he was already giving. More

When comedy and music come together, something exceptional is birthed. A budding singer called Twilight has released a song called ‘Am Present’. The song has already received acclaim from social media enthusiasts, who find it very hilarious because of the diction and style employed in the lyrics and visuals.

The song brings out the comic relief effect, which soothes and exhilarates many at a time when uncertainty lurks amongst those who are worried that another Lockdown in the country, maybe put in place. More

Proscovia Akurut, a medical social worker in Kumi District, in Eastern Uganda; is a heroine who wears no cap or costume. She recently reached out and helped a neighbor who had been abandoned by his family and relatives.

85-year-old, William Ongiriany had been left alone in a tiny, dilapidated house in Kapokina village. He was hungry and needed urgent medical attention. He had lost hearing to his left ear and he looked malnourished that his state was of great concern. More

This week has been an incredible one. Our collection of stories includes poems from children. On Monday this week, she shared a poem from 7-year-old Annabel Malinga called “Let Us”. And today we share with you yet another incredible one. It is worth noting that children color of our world with fascinating experiences. More

Owen Agaba is a young man of many passions, one of which is helping the less fortunate. Before the lockdown, Agaba who hails from Mbarara City in Western Uganda, had graciously committed himself to look after several orphans within his neighbourhood.

Most of the children are not just orphaned, they also have no place to call home. They live on the streets of Mbarara and need accommodation, which he readily offers to some.

Sadly, because of the COVID-19 lockdown, Agaba, a self-employed trader couldn’t work to earn enough money to help the children. With such tailbacks to his source of income, one would think of abandoning the children in their time of need, but a passion of kindness, would not let Agaba throw in the towel. Today, he has started a fundraising drive to raise money for this cause. More

This week, we kick off our giving stories, by sharing with you a sweet poem written by Annabel Malinga, a little girl from Ebenezer Primary School in the newly formed Mbale City, in Eastern Uganda. The poem is a euphony, making it easy to follow the rhythm and sound notations. It makes it easy to read and remember.

The innocence with which she communicates her quatrain poem, makes it special. The message is clear and not a word of it is minced.

The 7year old budding creative is a resident of Atutur Subcounty in Kumi District. She says that her inspiration to pen down the poem, was drawn from the extension of the lockdown. More

With some sectors of the economy opening, many have tried to readjust themselves recovery mode. Some have gone back to work while others are seeking ways to fend for themselves.

In Mpigi District, philanthropists are looking at ways in which livelihoods can be salvaged. An organization called ‘Better Places’, is working around social enterprise to help with income generation for the communities within.

They are delving into providing purely organic and mildly scented mosquito repellent to eliminate Malaria in Africa. They are transforming waste bags into sustainable, durable, waterproof, and affordable bags. Because this provides natural and sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics while creating employment. More

The battle against COVID-19 saw governments across the world take stringent measures. In Uganda, the Lockdown saw publics movement restricted and a curfew instituted. However, markets were one of the places allowed to stay open to serve the public.

With the markets open, vendors became a risk of exposure to COVID-19 virus. They needed masks to help them serve their clients well, without concern of exposing themselves. More

When the lockdown started, many people living with HIV found themselves stranded and with no means of accessing health facilities for treatment. They lived in fear of the damage this would cause, yet the worry of not knowing how best to access their drugs got worse by the day.

I received numerous calls from People Living with HIV (PLHIV) coordinators from districts like Mityana, Luweero, Serere, Sembabule, Bukomansimbi, Bukedea, Kumi, Amuria, Ngora, Soroti and Masaka. As well as strangers who know me through social media. More

The coronavirus-induced lockdown has been a season characterized by many outlooks. Generosity has been one of the highpoints we have seen in several parts of the country and the world at large.

Here on this platform, we have shared and continue to share these stories of generous giving during the Lock-down.

Another of these stories is that of a group of philanthropists with a footprint in child welfare, who made a plea to the public, to come together and help the vulnerable children in communities within which they live. The say that the lock-down saw a rise in the number of cases of children starving and malnourished especially in city slums. More

This is one story that purges into many emotions. The imagination and feeling that two souls are in immense pain, yet at the same time struggling to heal each other. This is a story that strikes a certain deeper part of one’s sensations.

Patrick Opio was a promising sportsman with dreams of making it big on the sporting arena. But one day, while playing soccer during a practice session, he injured himself. The injury left him disabled and hospitalized. Not only is he disabled, he is also unemployed.

His only hope for care, is his ailing mother, Naomi Achayo, who is battling breast cancer but must not only take care of herself but also her incapacitated son. More