CARITAS DELEGATES GIVE CHARITY TO ST. MARIA THERESA P.S AND RUSHOROZA HOSPITAL.

On their day two of the 15th National Caritas celebrations hosted by Kabale Diocese, delegate from the 19 Catholic Dioceses of Uganda discusses how to set up viable business enterprises and crowned the day with works of charity to the special needs pupils of St. Maria Theresa Primary School Rushoroza and our Lady of Good Health Rushoroza Hospital.

Key note speaker on this day two was Dr. Joyce Tamale, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Solutions Limited (CSL) who took the delegates through a session on how to develop shock absorbers for the business enterprise in times of crisis. She noted that once an enterprise is established, it must be inspected, monitored and evaluated for one to expect returns or profit.

Dr. Joyce noted that Caritas has to invest in social enterprise which must be a business idea innovatively solving a social problem because it helps overcome sole dependency on grants, it builds a unique and sustainable business model, using local resources with a market driven approach hence breaking pressure by unforeseen pandemics. Use of social media for visibility and publicity is important for any business enterprise to thrive.

Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end – Robin Sharma.

Dr. Joyce also noted there entrepreneurs need mindset change for effective financial resilience. Right attitude with right behavior moves one to action in order to produce results thereby increasing performance. She outlined different strategies that Caritas could employ in order to have economic sustainability. These include engaging in private-public partnership, integrating enterprise activities into Caritas programs, establishing internal income generating projects (hostels, event venues, consultancy) among others.

Fr. Hillary Muhezangango, the national Caritas Director appreciated Dr. Joyce Tamale for the presentation which opened the eyes and minds of the Caritas delegates and called them to action.

The Caritas delegates led by Fr. Vincent Byaruhanga, the director of Caritas Kabale Diocese proceeded to carry out charity by visiting the special needs pupils at St. Maria Theresa primary School Rushoroza where they donated items to the learners. The donations included posho, rice, sugar, soap, exercise books, pens and dozens of thread for knitting.

Mr. Saturday Crescent, the head teacher expressed gratitude to the Caritas fraternity for the donation to the pupils with special needs. He said that the school has a population of over 700 pupils with 137 special needs pupils who need support but not descrimination bearing in mind that disability is not inability. He paid tribute to Sr. Stellamaris Kyasiimire (RIP) former head teacher who introduced the program of looking after pupils with special needs. He called on the government and other well wishers for more support in order to construct decent accomodation for the special needs children. He also said the pupils are challenged by transport means and other basic necessities of life.

The team proceeded to Our Lady of Good Health Rushoroza Hospital where they also delivered items donated to the patients which included sugar, soap, pampers, shoes (for men, women and children), clothes (for men, women and children), among others. While leading the team at the handover ceremony, Fr. Vincent Byaruhanga commended the work done by Rushoroza hospital and quality services offered thereby putting the mission of the Church first.

Dr. Kansiime Gerald, the medical team lead at Rushoroza hospital while receiving the donation from Caritas expressed gratitude that Caritas thought of making charity to the hospital in the Jubilee Year. He said the hospital started as a dispensary in 1932 by the Missionaries of Africa and is seven years as a general hospital offering different services and so far ranked third best performing hospital in Kigezi region.