Catherine completes charity mission to Uganda
2024/25 is our Year of Compassion here at Holy Cross. Raising money and volunteering for worthy causes is just one way that shows how much we, as a College community, care about others.
At the end of May, Library Assistant Catherine Kelly returned to Masaka in Uganda to undertake vital charity work and complete a half marathon.
While in Uganda, Catherine met with the founder of Youth With A Vision (YWAV), John Mugabi, to find out more about the charity and the wonderful work they do to support some very vulnerable children and young adults.
She said: “I first visited Uganda in 2019, so this trip affirmed for me my love of the people and the country itself. The week involved learning about the culture, learning about some of the local charity projects which exist, taking part in a range of charitable activities as a group, and then running a marathon at the end of the week.”
Meeting Rachael
As part of her charity work, Catherine raised money to fund the education of a young girl called Racheal before she flew out to Uganda. This funding will provide Racheal with her tuition, all her stationery and one lunch meal a day for one year.
Racheal is almost 12 years old and lives with her grandmother because her mum died when she was aged just three. She has missed out on much of her education due to poverty and she lacks the most basic needs as her grandmother is unable to support her properly.
With the love and support of YWAV, and through the generosity of others, Catherine hopes that Racheal can return to school and complete her education, so that one day soon, she will fulfil her dream of becoming a social worker.
Catherine spent time with Rachael during her Uganda trip, and she said: “Racheal is a beautiful young girl who I am so pleased I met. She lives with her two sisters, who are unable to go to school as they do not have a sponsor. Racheal is very poor, and her grandparents were such humble people. She was poorest of the children I visited that day.”
“On the same day, I also met two other girls I sponsor – Catherine, who has now qualified as a midwife, and Winnie, who is still at school.”
Catherine is now on the lookout for two sponsors to enable Rachael’s two sisters to go to school just like her. If you’re interested in becoming their sponsors (for around £26 a month) please contact Catherine at Holy Cross.
A marathon challenge
The other key event of the week was completing a marathon through rural Uganda. Alongside her fellow charity workers, Catherine saw lots of children along the way.
For all the highlights from a very busy week of volunteering, please watch Catherine’s video:
