I left MN on Friday December 30th at 5:00 pm I spent the following 24 hours in limbo between time zones, countries and years! I officially spend my New Years on a Turkish Airline plane nodding off next to two men I barley knew. Anyways I arrived safely in Entebbe Uganda at approximatley 2:10 AM Ugandan time. All of my bags arrived and I was greeted by Ivan, Rama and Caroline who had been patiently waiting for me for an hour. By the time we got to Kampala and I got to bed it was around 5:30 am Uganda time!
Yesterday was the first day visiting the Katoogo Slum. We met with one of the local leaders who showed us around Katoogo and answered our questions about the issues facing the women in Katoogo. The leading issues facing the families in Katoogo is Malaria. Malaria is caused by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Katoogo is especially vulnerable because of their lack of proper water drainage, which leads to a high volume of standing water, which is the breeding ground for mosquitos. According to the Malaria Foundation International:
- Children are especially vulnerable to malaria. In Africa, where 80% of malaria cases are treated at home, the disease kills one child in twenty before the age of five.
- Pregnant women are also at high risk. They have an increase risk of disease and death, as well as adverse impacts for their developing babies- including low birth weight, growth retardation, still births and death.
Malaria is easily prevented by the use of Mosquito nets. Although because of extreme poverty many cannot even afford a Mosquito net, which costs aproxiamtley 10 US Dollars. For many in Katoogo this price is MORE than their monthly rent. Can you imagine! Not only that but if a person contracts malaria the chances of someone in Katoogo recieving medical treatment is very rare. So death from malaria becomes a reality.
One of my goals while I am in Uganda this month is to hand out 50 Mosquito nets to the needy families in Katoogo. In all sincerity a mosquito net can save LIVES!
Are you willing to sacrifice 10$ to provide a family in Katoogo with a mosquito net? For many in the USA 10$ is about the price of a meal at Applebees or about 2 starbucks/Caribou beverages. But for those in Katoogo this 10$ is vital. Thanks for helping! God Bless
Kelly- Alabaster Women's Ministries
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