We live in a world where so many things divide us. Religion, race, politics, social status and more but today a global pandemic brings us all together as one. We are all feeling the same fear, the same isolation, the same uncertainty. It may look different if you are in New York where the number of cases is mind-blowing or Wyoming where the cases are much lower but where ever you are, you are facing it. Just like our friends and family in Uganda are facing it, and trust us when we say it looks VERY different there.

Uganda is under a country wide lockdown. We know this can be helpful in stopping the spread of COVID-19, but the restrictions that were put in place, with very little notice, are going to be hard and even dangerous for the children and families we serve.

The borders are now completely closed, no one in or out. A curfew is in place from 7pm – 5am. Public transportation has been completely shutdowns and the use of private vehicles is prohibited. The only stores that are open sell food and medicine and the shop keepers have to sleep there because they can not travel back and forth. No more than 5 people can gather, some of our families have more than 5 people in them. And anyone distributing food can be arrested and charged with murder because it might cause people to gather and spread the virus.

Our families only have whatever food they have in their homes, and what they can get from their gardens if they have one. They can walk to a shop, or ride a bicycle to get food, if those shops remain open and if they have any supplies. For the few parents and guardians that had jobs, many of them have lost them due to the shutdowns.

Our social workers are not able to transport any of our children to medical facilities without an authorization letter from local officials. They are feeling helpless to serve our kids, and we are feeling helpless because there is nothing we can do.

Please pray for our families, our children, and our team. These are hard days for them all, but Ugandans have an amazing perseverance, will find always find hope and have amazing faith. Project Yesu is committed to standing with our friends and will continue to support the vulnerable. Thank you for your love and support for Project Yesu and our work in Uganda. 

What are we doing?

• Our social workers are monitoring our children, talking with their families, making sure they understand the virus and what they can do to help prevent the spread.
• Because the families in the village we serve do not have running water we have set up 15 handwashing stations across the village. These stations are equipped with soap and water and our families are encouraged to use them frequently. We want to put another 10 stations around the village to make sure everyone has access.
• We are in constant communication with our team and we are evaluating our response daily, finding ways to help and serve as best we can during this time.

How can you help?

• Pray for our children, our staff and their families, just like they have been praying for us. They have known that the US has been facing by COVID-19 and have been praying for our health and safety.
• if you are able, you can donate. If you want you can also specify where your donation would go (ie, medical, feeding, etc)

Want to know more about Project Yesu?

Our 2019 annual report is available for you to review.