Newsletter III in 2020 from ‘Help for a smile e.V.’

Dear members, dear friends of Help for a Smile,

We have good news during these challenging times, which are so heavily defined by the coronavirus pandemic. We would like to share the great joy of two of our boys from Uganda with you. The mother of Derrick and Patrick was released at the end of April 2020. For Derrick and Patrick’s mother, a dream came true. She had been incarcerated in Luzira Prison and was released early. The reason for this was the spread of the coronavirus. She is currently in the capital, Kampala, and is only permitted to return home following further legal proceedings. Irene will now meet with her to discuss the next steps. Derrick and Patrick will stay with Irene for the time being, as their mother does not yet have a source of income and first needs to find housing. The responsibility for their children causes fear for most ex-prisoners; therefore, Irene is giving her time to settle in.

Our children and young people in the village near Mbale are well-provided for with food, joy, prayers, and, above all, an alternative learning program due to the lack of school classes. You can read more about this in the attachment. We were also able to ensure, through a second unscheduled payment, that Irene can continue to provide sufficiently for the children and youth. This is only possible because of your steady support through membership fees and donations! Like Irene, we are so glad that basic care is thus secured.

We would like to pass on Irene’s grateful words from May 14, 2020, to you:

“Dear friends. Greetings to you from Mbale. Thank you very much for your support during the restrictions. While life is very difficult for many people at this time and they can only eat one meal a day, we are doing well. The children came home from school having lost weight; now everyone is strong because they are getting enough to eat. Many parents in our village cannot provide for their children, while ours lead a good life. Many thanks to our friends who provide for the children’s needs through HFAS. May God continue to bless you all and protect your families.”

Our heartfelt thanks to you that we could help so quickly with Help for a Smile! We hope that you are healthy and have not had any personal contact with Covid-19.

Warm regards from the Board of Help for a Smile e.V.
Thomas, Ines, Anette, and Bettina