MAF partner ‘Kids Around The World’ is distributing food to South Sudanese refugee children and their families in Uganda. But their life-saving ministry goes well beyond food, as they offer messages of hope and the precious gift of play.
“The children were crying because there was no food to eat,” said 63-year-old Vicky Eimane, a refugee from South Sudan.
“Even the portions we used to receive from UNHCR have been totally removed.”
Richard Charles Sekyeru, KATW Team Leader in Uganda, is proud of MAF’s availability to offer affordable and quick transport to the organisation, because it enhances their efficiency.
“MAF has been a blessing, especially in areas where the airfields are in close proximity to sites where we work,” said Richard. “When teams don’t fly in; they can have a lot of time wasted on the road. MAF reduces that time, so that it is spent doing work in the communities instead.”
MAF has been a blessing, especially in areas where the airfields are in close proximity to sites where we work
Every month KATW gives five 390-gram food packs to each child that attends their club. Each pack contains rice, lentils, vegetables and vitamins.
“We distribute balanced food—and that makes a whole lot of a difference,” Richard added. “The children’s health has been boosted greatly and we’ve been able to curb malnutrition and disease. Our children are generally healthy.”
In addition, KATW also installs play areas to aid play for refugee children. Richard says that play is therapeutic—especially for children with troubled backgrounds.
“If I remember myself being young, this is how I was,” he said. “Growing up we were so poor, and I always looked forward to playing.
“So, I can identify with these children. When we install play equipment, the joy of seeing a swarm of kids running to use them is priceless.
“These play areas are also places where the children catch up. Sometimes you just see them seated and talking to friends for hours. But they have also learnt great responsibility because we sometimes find them cleaning this equipment,” Richard said.
KATW partners with churches to install the play equipment, and they use this opportunity to also tell the children Bible stories.
“Our partnership with KATW has helped the church to grow. The food distribution and play equipment greatly encourages the refugee community here,” said Pastor Kato Everest—a refugee himself. He leads a church of about 350 people at Pagirinya.
On average, MAF flies KATW to Pagirinya and other refugee settlements in northern Uganda four times a year.
“MAF fares are not so bad,” Richard said. “So, we are pleased with them, and we take pride in that partnership. MAF play a great role.”