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Nile Heritage Foundation Charlie
Clifford LAKONY On behalf of the founders and supporters, I would like to introduce you to NILE HERITAGE FOUNDATION, a non-profit organisation incorporated by Ugandans currently living in Okla-homa and Kansas. We are contacting you so you will not only know of our existence but also determine how your participation can promote the activities for which Nile Heritage Foundation (hereinafter NHF) was incorporated. Enclosed you will find The NHF brochure which explains us and our raison d'etre. We are a people displaced by wars and political instability in our country. ALL of us fled one or another of the many regimes that have perpetuated genocide in Uganda since independence in 1962. Some of us have been away from our country more than 20 years. When Idi Amin Dada was ousted from power in 1979, we all thought that political and economic stability would return to Uganda, enabling us to return home. The very reverse of our expectations instead became the norm as successive governments exacted untold suffering upon the very people they came to power to protect Because of tribal allegiances, various parts of Uganda have suffered or enjoyed relative peace depending upon which tribe the current President comes from. When Idi Amin overthrew Milton Obote in 1971, he nearly wiped out the Acholi people of northern Uganda: they were the main opposition and threat to his power. Throughout the 9 years that he was in power, many Acholis who could fled to The United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe where they are up to now. As Amin's terror spread to other tribes, they also fled the country. In the meantime, public infrastructures began to deteriorate, - roads, schools, hospitals, churches, etc. The children were most affected as their parents either died or fled the country. Many children died due to lack of food, medicine, and/or pa-rental support. Three successive short-lived regimes replaced Idi Amin's until Milton Obote was re-elected in 1980. Obote's second regime was marked by relative peace in the north, but other parts of the country, especially the south, continued to suffer. More and more Ugandans continued to flee the country for two reasons: (1) Obote's soldiers were undisciplined and operated above the law: they were the law. Untold numbers of people were killed as soldiers and friends of soldiers "exacted revenge" upon those who either "collaborated with Idi Amin or "took advantage of the political insecurity to suffer others." (2) Yoweri Museveni, who had himself failed in a bid to become President during the election of 1980, launched a guerrilla warfare against Obote's government. His tactics included terrorising the common people and blaming government soldiers. Many people died as the blame game turned parts of Uganda into "death zones." Stories of Luwero Triangle as a decimated area have been featured in various media throughout the world. The children were again most affected as their parents either got killed or fled the country. after and take care of them. It is inconceivable that a 10 year old can effectively take care of and raise a 1- or 2-year old. All Ugandans in the Diaspora are actively seeking ways of alleviating the suffering of their people back in Uganda. Active debates are going on all over The United States, Canada, Australia, every West-European and African country, or wherever Ugandans fled to. Once a year we hold an international conference to discuss our country's problems. We commu-nicate with each other through discussion forums on the Internet We have incorporated various non-profit organisations that raise funds to help the suffering of our country. THE NILE HERITAGE FOUNDATION is one of them. We Ugandans in Oklahoma and Kansas have incorporated NHF expressly to raise funds to help the children in Northern Uganda whose parents are either dead1 incapacitated, out of the country, or in all ways unable to take care of them. The orphans among them need us most. NHF has branches in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Wichita, Kansas; Hutchinson, Kansas; and Gulu Town, Uganda. We send money for school uniforms, stationery, tuition and fees, and facilities. We also send school supplies, medicine, clothing, and other relevant equipment which our office in Gulu distribute as necessary or as available. Our office in Gulu also helps with food, bedding, transportation, and housing. We are also involved in AlDS education, with the help of area churches, schools, hospitals, and clinics. We contact: you today to ask for your participation in our bold undertakings to help our chil-dren. It is true that it takes a village to raise a child, but the underlying assumptions are that there are villages, and there are adults in those villages. To most of these children, the NHF branch in Gulu is the village, and we the incorporators are the adults in that village. Our task is difficult but not impossible. With your generous donations of money, school supplies (usable computers, typewriters, facsimiles, pens, pencils, exercise books, etc.), and medicine, our task becomes easier. Right now we need money most as other supplies (except computers, typewriters, and facsimiles) can be locally purchased. Will you join us in helping the children of northern Uganda. Donate generously and give the gift of life to the children who otherwise have nowhere else to ...... THANK YOU. ~.. above all things, I wish that you pmsper and be in health, even as your soul pmspers." (3john 2) |
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