COVE Alliance event raises funds for Uganda children

Submitted by COVE Alliance

“Believe” was the theme of the 8th annual fundraiser for COVE Alliance, “Seeds of Hope” in Mundelein in May.

“Believe” in education for all children. “Believe” that a refugee camp, a place of despair, can become a school campus that delivers hope for a sustainable future-through education. There have been over 271 orphaned/disadvantaged children who have benefited from this sponsorship program. Those that “Believe” have made a dream a reality.

Fr. Hilary Muheezangango, executive director and founder of COVE, and Bill Armstrong, chairman of COVE, took attendees on a virtual tour of the accomplishments, which have converted land that was once “bush” to a campus equipped with a medical dispensary, primary classrooms from grades 1-5, two dormitories, two kitchens, playground, basketball court and administrative offices. All of this has been accomplished in seven years. Muheezangango further explained how the education system operates at COVE and, for the first time, there was a graduation ceremony that honored the sponsors whose children had graduated from vocational school. The graduates now have jobs that will support their families.

This has not gone unnoticed in the community. One of the teachers from a neighboring school has seen the results of children graduating and supporting their families. She had seen, in the past, many children who had to drop out of school due to lack of funding. Sponsoring a child through COVE Alliance allows the children to stay in school and gain the lifelong value of education. They have the opportunity to become the best vision of themselves. Now there is hope for a community that had once been devastated by civil war.

COVE Alliance is a not-for-profit volunteer organization with 501(c)(3) status. It is committed to the vision of a world of hopeful, responsible human beings who respect human dignity and are in a position to sustain themselves and their families in the future.

COVE has partnered with middle schools, high schools and university students. They have made an impact on the children and the community of Kapeeka, Uganda, in many ways. Some have fundraised for a piggery (to provide meat for the children).

Some delegates from Indiana, University of Illinois and Vernon Hills High School have traveled to Uganda and taught best business practices, researched water filtration, taught health promotion and embellished the environment by painting the classrooms.

COVE is a volunteer organization looking for volunteers who are willing to share their talents one to two hours per week to benefit these children and continue this mission of sustainability. To sponsor a child or become a volunteer, visit www.covealliance.org or send an email to carolarmstrong@covealliance.orgor darlenefrantonius@covealliance.org for more information.

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