Arlington Heights-based charity helps flood victims in Uganda

Posted May 17, 2020 11:00 pm

Daily Herald report

Arlington Heights-based charity helps flood victims in Uganda

Kasese Diocese Bishop Francis Kibara fist-bumps a child while distributing aid Friday, May 15, to flood victims in Uganda. The effort is being funded by an Arlington Heights-based charity. Courtesy of Deacon Ignatius Mbusa/Kasese Diocese

An Arlington Heights-based charity is raising money to assist thousands of people in Uganda after four rivers flooded last week, heavily damaging villages in the Kasese region near the border with the Republic of Congo.

River flooding caused extensive damage last week in western Uganda. An Arlington Heights-based charity is helping fund relief efforts. Courtesy of Deacon Ignatius Mbusa/Kasese Diocese

Kasese Diocese Bishop Francis Kibara is leading the relief effort, said Don Grossnickle, a deacon at Our Lady of Wayside Parish and head of Microfinance Alliance Africa Projects Foundation, a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit group.

"Donors have provided $4,000 direct to him for food for 2,400 persons at six camps of homeless," Grossnickle said, adding that about 100,000 people in the area have been affected by the flooding.

"I spoke to the bishop and he and the people convey thanks. It feels really good to support these hurting people."

Relief workers obtain supplies of beans, water, charcoal and bed nets to help victims of river flooding in Uganda. An Arlington Heights-based charity is helping to fund relief efforts. Courtesy of Deacon Ignatius Mbusa/Kasese Diocese

The charity was formed in 2018 to fund anti-malarial clinical work in six mission church projects throughout Uganda. The only medical clinic in the area was washed away by the floods, Grossnickle said.

Funds are being used to buy beans, water, charcoal and bed nets to ward off swarms of mosquitoes. Priority is given to mothers, babies, pregnant women and the sick, he said.

Food is distributed to victims of river flooding in Uganda. The effort is being funded by an Arlington Heights-based charity. Courtesy of Deacon Ignatius Mbusa/Kasese Diocese

The government lockdown to fight COVID-19 has made obtaining and distributing supplies more difficult.

Donations can be sent our Lady of the Wayside Parish, 434 W. Park St., Arlington Heights, 60005, or https://www.maapfoundation.org/. Grossnickle can be reached at dgrossnick@aol.com or via Facebook.

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