Connecting for Change and making a difference: Regan's story

The DLC recently spoke to Dr. Robert Kalyesubula of the African Community Center for Social Sustainability (ACCESS) about his successful experience at Connecting for Change that resulted in MedWish donating necessary medical equipment to his clinic in Uganda.

There was, however, another success for Dr. Robert at Connecting for Change. The 120 attendees of the dialogue were so moved by his efforts that they donated, out of pocket, $330 to ACCESS. That might not seem like a lot, but take a look at this first installment of a three-part series on what Dr. Robert was able to do with that donation.

From ACCESS:

Regan Kimbowa is a 10 year old boy from Nakaseke village living with his grand mother of 80 years, after losing his mother and father to HIV-AIDS at a very tender age of three years. Unfortunately, Regan was also born with HIV and he has been falling sick often. Regan was one of the orphans selected for support by ACCESS which has greatly transformed his life.

There is currently no center providing pediatric HIV-AIDS care in Nakaseke district and the children have to travel long distances to the big town to access this service. The ACCESS clinic was able to provide treatment for opportunistic infections but as the disease progressed; Regan needed antiretroviral drugs. We have therefore been able to provide him with monthly transport fare to the children’s clinic where he can now access antiretroviral drugs and his health has improved tremendously.

The challenge is that Regan lives with a family of 6 children with the oldest having problems with mental health. We have not been able to support the whole family with school fees except for Regan due to limited resources. Regan wants to be a teacher when he grows up so that he can start up a school where he can help other community members who have no school fees.

It was therefore not surprising that the village selection committee chose this family as one of the three families to receive income generation support from the funds given to us from the Connecting for change colleagues through SAWA global.

They chose to rear pigs to generate income and the rest of the funds will provide additional food and veterinary services for the pig. They also have a banana plantation farm for food and additional income.

The family hopes to use the pig, to start up a small animal farm for income that will later support the whole household. ACCESS will continue to provide school fees for Regan, support and medical care for the whole family.

We are very grateful for the support we have received.

Stay tuned for the next installment.