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Angel’s Center for Children with Special Needs
January 18, 2019
Uganda, Africa — Update, December 2019
On November 5th, 2018, Foothills Gateway staff were treated to an incredible experience. Rosemary Nambooze, the Executive Director of Angel’s Center in Uganda, Africa, was here to provide a first-hand account of what it is like to provide care to children with disabilities in a developing nation.
Rosemary shared her personal story of raising a child with Down syndrome and the struggles her family has faced due to the lack of education and services surrounding her son’s disability. This six-minute video shares Rosemary and her son’s story, which ultimately led her to found Angel’s Center.
In six years, through sheer determination, Rosemary has helped hundreds find hope and resources for their children with disabilities.
Developing Countries See Disability Very Differently
Most Ugandan people, similar to those in many other developing countries, do not accept children with disabilities. Fathers often leave their families and neglect their wives if they give birth to a child with a disability because their culture considers it to be shameful.
When mothers choose to keep their children, they are often discriminated against, shunned from their families, and left to care for their children completely alone.
To learn more about the impact stigma has on mothers and their children, you can watch this short documentary, which features Rosemary (“Mama Rose”).
Rose is Changing Lives
Angel’s Center currently employs 15 staff members that assist over 100 children, ages 2-12. The staff provides a variety of services that include early learning, integrated therapy, health care, nutrition, and hygiene support. Staff also provide counseling services to an additional 200+ families!
Due to the demand of their services, Angel’s Center has already outgrown its modest rental facility. They broke ground in 2018 on a new building to ultimately provide services to more children, and someday, adults too.
The NEW Angel’s Center
As you can imagine, building a brand new facility takes a great deal of funds and support. Last year, the Angel’s Center needed $120,000 to build their facility. We received a message from Rosemary last week with an update that read:
I am happy to let you know that our building project is in the final stages of finishing. We finished roofing and inside plastering. Indeed we have made very good progress. (see photos)
Right now our fundraising target $40,000 to help finish the following items
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- Electricity installation and plumbing | $10,000
- Putting a wire mesh fence and paving the compound | $10,000
- Painting and putting floor cement | $8,000
- Building kitchen and dinning outside and 2 rooms for staff | $7,000
- Plastering outside | $5,000
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How You Can Help
If you would like to get involved, you can lend financial support through the East Africa Fund, which has partnered with Rosemary to make it possible for those in the United States to contribute through a 501(c)3 in order to receive the tax deduction and acknowledgement their gifts deserve.
To give through the East Africa Fund go HERE and be sure to note “Angel’s Center Donation” in the comment box at the bottom.
To follow the new Angel’s Center building progress, you can find them on Facebook or visit their website.