Many Countries are just starting to experience more freedoms from Covid-19 restrictions, unfortunately, that is not the case for Uganda. Uganda is currently facing the most crushing effects of Covid-19 and a 42-day Countrywide lockdown (which started on 6/18).

What it means for the nation:
Schools have been closed, a curfew in place, open markets and churches are closed, all private and public transportation is suspended with the exception of medical transport, and if still able to work within the restrictions, people are being asked to sleep at their place of work because transportation is prohibited. The lack of medical supplies and vaccinations across Uganda has catastrophically worsened this wave as the numbers continue to rise and the death toll increasing daily.

What it means for those we partner with:
 Most of the children in Uganda have been out of school since March 2020 and many had just returned a month ago only to now be sent back. The level of poverty at many of these children’s homes has increased, and not being able to go back to school where there is food and security has greatly impacted the children we partner with. Teen pregnancies have skyrocketed and for many of our youth, they feel that the window of opportunity for them to continue their education has ended. Many of our youth's hope is dwindling.
 
Many of the children who had been back at school came back very ill and we have a continually increasing number of children and parents contacting us in desperate need of medical support. Many are afraid of going to the government hospitals as they do not want to be put into the forced quarantine facilities if they get tested for Covid-19 as they believe the conditions are terrible. So, they are self-isolating, but with little to no means of getting medical support.
 
With such extreme lockdown conditions, there is no way for many of the families we partner with to make the daily income they need to provide the basics for their families. We are already receiving calls from many families in desperate need of food support. 
 
What it means for our staff:
Many on our Ugandan team have been sick and all have families and communities around them that are in desperate need. They are the people that so many in our community turn to when they need help. It is our greatest hope that no one struggles alone, this is made difficult during lockdowns, but our team has continued to be creative and find ways to be there for those in need. They respond the best they can every time. The weight this puts on someone is not something that can often be measured, a lot of the time they are sitting with someone and the only means they have to help is to just ‘be’ with them. This is a heavy place to be. It is our prayer as an organization that we can support these amazing Ugandan leaders as they continue to be the hands and feet in our community the best we can. 
 
We pray that they are equipped with the resources and favor to pour love and hope over those in need in our community and that they will be able to provide and help those in need gain access to the life-saving relief they need.  

Thank you to all who have stood with us as we have navigated the ups and downs of the pandemic this past year, we are saddened to be back in a place where providing relief for our community has become a top need again rather than our development goals.