Giving money directly to the people in Manna Ministry has never been in our game plan. In fact, it is something we said we would never do; but, we are doing just that. Why? Corona Virus 19.
The President of Uganda has issued an order that only the government can give food to the people in need. Those who violate his order can be arrested. The result, we cannot give the people we have promised to help what we promised. So, what can we do? Exactly what we said we would never do: Send them the money to buy their own food. Paulino has already delivered this money to the refugee families in Arua and Benon is in the process of sending the Manna recipients in Kampala mobile money. The men of IMFC who work with the families can still go and work with them. They have to observe the social distancing rules outlined by the government and be sure to finish before the curfew begins at 2:00 PM, but it is possible to help, encourage the families to use the money wisely and actually hold them accountable to do so.
Here is a brief description from Vincent who leads the work in Kampala, Uganda of what life in the slums of Kampala now:
Life in the communities is very difficult. Markets are open but only to those with boda bodas can get there and but they must stop at 2pm. Those who are getting medicines are those near the hospitals. Getting medicine is hard. Last week we lost one Manna recipient who couldn't access medicine. Her name was Veronica. She had the HIV Virus and high blood pressure. When they lockdown everything, it became hard for her and she did not get her medicine. She lost her life. People in the community say they are not worried of Corona virus but of hunger.
I was in field today, everyone is crying of hunger. Government is giving out food but to few people. We talked to many different people in community who want to go back to the village but they do not have money for transport and food. Clean water is very hard to get also. Many of the men who are IMFC leaders in the communities cannot find work and their families are suffering from hunger. We found some women crying that their men abandoned them and their families immediately after the President announced the quarantine and lockdown because they could not support themself and their family. Everything is in mess.
Today we also received calls from community telling us that 2 expectants mothers were in labor pain. We had 2 mama kits that we had kept for emergency and Jotham had to run them to the women. He found they had no way to reach the hospital so he took them to the police so that they can get help.
This week I was looking into the information we got from the recipients, specifically on the number of children. This time we have 1,087 children in the families in both areas of Manna. These are the ones suffering most and the people with the HIV virus. Please join me in prayers as we pray for these kids that God will provide for them and there will be peace very soon.
Paulino, who leads the Sudanese Refugee work in Arua, writes:
The reason behind why we did not distribute food items this time around is because we are respecting and adhering to the law set by H.E the President of republic Of Uganda. The President is seeking the possible solution of the spread of the deadly virus that prompted him to make a lockdown of people within the country. But as soon as this lockdown ends we shall be in position to resume our usual food distribution not money again…We are thankful for what IMFC has done to us at this hard time of tears in our eyes for what this evil corona virus did to you and us.
Also, we have been able to help some of the people in Kenya who are suffering. It maybe small, but it is what we can do at this time. This is from one of Geofrey Masika’s Facebook post who leads the work in Kenya:
Yesterday, IMFC - Kenya through our volunteers Brother Daniel and sister Sarah managed to share food support to our brethren at Kisamis area, Kajiado County in Kenya to help them during such challenging times when the world is attacked by a deadly virus Covid19 that has left millions of people jobless, hopeless and with some having no basic necessities like food, water and medication. These few individuals who received the food support, belongs to over 36 families and each family hosting between 8 to 13 people per household. So, approximately, 360 people are going to have something to eat this week at Kisamis alone. Countrywide here in Kenya, approximately 9000 people are going to be beneficiary of the limited resources that has been donated from IMFC towards food support during Covid19 April, 2020.
Thanks for your prayers, your concern and support. Many have called or texted me wanting to know how the people were doing in Uganda and Kenya, and how IMFC is doing in this time of CoVid 19. I hope this gives you some insight of how they are doing and how we are working through this. Thanks for loving the people and for loving us.
I am praying for you and your family during this time. I pray you stay safe from this virus and that you are surviving this difficult time economically.
Jimmy Barry