American evangelist's medical camp attracts over 5,000 Katanga slum residents
“I chose Katanga slum because of its large number of children and residents who lack access to medical care. During such medical camps, our teams guide parents on proper nutrition and child upbringing and encourage them to seek professional medical care instead of self-medicating.................
Dr. Michelle Corral (L) shows motherly love to one of the children who turned up for a medical camp in memory of the late Mother Teresa's birthday at the Katanga slum in Kampala on August 26th. (Credit: Wilfred Sanya)
Free medical treatment? It came like manna for 5,000 Katanga slum residents who received care at a medical camp organised by a visiting American evangelist Dr. Michelle Corral, founder of Breath of Spirit International Ministries based in the USA.
During the health fair, which lasted for five hours (9:00am- 2:00 pm), JMC Community Outreach healthcare workers from Mukono District on Wednesday, August 26th, tested residents for malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes and conducted eye check-ups.
Addressing the Katanga community, Dr. Corral said they annually provide free health services to needy people living in slums during the East African Pastors Conference.
“I chose Katanga slum because of its large number of children and residents who lack access to medical care. During such medical camps, our teams guide parents on proper nutrition and child upbringing and encourage them to seek professional medical care instead of self-medicating.
Patients whose conditions cannot be handled at the camp are advised to seek further treatment at hospitals. I am really touched by the young children living in such an area and being attended to by pastors. When God empowers you to become a leader, you should ensure that you support people in need,” she said.
Corral has supported people in war-torn and disaster-affected countries, including Ukraine, Haiti, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Syria.
On Wednesday, she said she chose to celebrate the life of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mother Teresa's birthday (August 26) by holding a health in Uganda because of the
Uganda currently hosts about two million refugees and asylum seekers, according to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), many of them from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia.
For the Katanga project, Corral said she was inspired by Mother Teresa, who provided similar services to needy people.
She said the Kampala project attracted other organisations to provide additional support, particularly medical care, which she described as a basic priority.
Dr. Benjamin Kivumbi, president of Heal the Planet Global Organisation (HTP), affiliated to Breath of the Spirit International Ministries, said he was pleased that Corral visited Uganda, saying her visit had a positive impact on pastors and their congregations.
Dr. Kivumbi said Dr. Corral has supported families through charity and humanitarian work, donating about Shs25.95 billion ($7 million) to crisis-hit countries worldwide.
Children being treated during the medical camp organised by President Spirit Ministries International from America, Dr. Michelle Corral, in memory of the late Mother Teresa's birthday with communities of Katanga slum in Kampala on August 26th. (Credit: Wilfred Sanya)
He said Dr Corral had in the past donated aid worth Shs 1.3 billion ($350,000) to Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District in 2019 during her visit to Uganda.
“In her 48 years of travelling and serving around the world, Dr. Corral has supported Bidi Bidi Refugee Camp in Yumbe and Imvepi Refugee Settlement in Terego District, helping improve the lives of refugees,” he said.
Dr. Triumph Ikechukwu, vice president of the Christian Charismatic Organisation in Nigeria, urged Ugandan pastors to use strong leadership, evangelism, and mentorship to
drive community development.
He also encouraged pastors to work together and build partnerships instead of operating in isolation.
“The Church has a responsibility to transform lives and communities by combining spiritual ministry with practical service. Churches can also be powerful instruments for evangelism when leaders have a clear vision and invest in young people,” Ikechukwu said.
Dr. Corral arrived in Uganda on August 24 as the guest preacher for the Third East African Pastors' Conference, hosted at Nsambya Youth Sharing Hall attracted 300 registered participants.