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Holy Family Primary School, Downpatrick

Uganda Parish Link Group

1st Oct 2020

 

‘The Uganda Parish Link Group’ has charitable status and operates in the parish of

Kilmore, Teconnaught and Killyleagh. It links our Parish with Saint Kizito Parish, Kibiri, Uganda.

Holy Family Primary school is  represented on this committee. Our School is

twinned with Saint Dominic’s Primary School, one  of two  primary schools in Saint

Kizito’s Parish. The work of the ‘Parish Link Group’ is funded by the generosity of

Killyleagh , Crossgar and Teconnaught Parishioners.

 

The group visited Saint Kizito’s Parish to identify areas of urgent need and to prioritise  

projects. A well was dug providing fresh,clean water for the pupils of Saint Dominic’s

Primary School, and reaching  hundreds of the very poor people in the surrounding area. 

More recently, toilets were built in both Saint Dominic’ s Primary School and in Saint

Kizito’s  Primary School. 

 

We provided a much needed kitchen in Maria Assumpta Nursery School where the

younger children, many of whom are orphans, receive a hot meal daily. We also erected

and equipped a medical centre in a prominent position in the parish.

 

Our main apostolate,however is the provision of education for 144 of  the

most needy children. The education of these children is sponsored by our parishioners

 Without this help such children would be unable to attend school. The school fee

includes tuition and a daily meal, which for many of the children, is their only meal! The children of Holy

Family School are currently responsible for providing sponsorship for seven of them.

 

The gratitude of our Ugandan friends is shown by their daily prayer for the people of

this parish and the children of Holy Family School.

 

 

The Covid 19 pandemic has struck our poor friends in Uganda severely. We had a very generous response from

our parishioners to an ‘Emergency Food Appeal’  and as a result, we  rushed £3,726 to supply urgently needed

food for the people of Kibiri for  distribution through Father Augustine P.P, and the pastoral council.

 

Our contacts in Kibiri tell us that the situation there is grave, with malnutrition  

becoming increasingly common among the poor.  Teachers and civil servants who have

received no salary since ‘Lockdown’ in March, are also struggling.

The Schools  will reopen on the 15th October to the Primary 7 pupils, who will

undertake their leaving exam in December 2020.  To alleviate the pressure on the

parents, the Parish Link group will pay the fees for all Primary 7 children. This will

include a daily meal and the opportunity to sit their final exams. 

Please keep the people of Kibiri in in your prayers , and kindly

contribute to our forthcoming fundraisers.