📸 Give more support to vulnerable communities — Ambassador Xuecheng

WAKISO - The acting Chinese ambassador to Uganda, Fan Xuecheng, has commended the China Uganda Women’s Association (CUWA) for supporting vulnerable children and communities.

He encouraged other nationals residing and working in Uganda to engage in more community work, insisting that the embassy has been encouraging their nationals to support communities as a sign of the growing friendship between the two countries.

According to the ambassador, China and Uganda have had a tradition of good
working relationship dating back to Uganda’s independence in 1962, which he says should keep growing through such positive gestures.

Gilbert Olinga of the Africa Ewaka project and CUWA president Tong Fang exchange documents after signing an MOU. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

Fang signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa Ewaka executive director, Gilbert Olinga, for a five-year collaboration and support. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

The ambassador was recently speaking at a function where the CUWA President, Tong Fang, handed over an assortment of aid to the Africa Ewaka children model village located at Bweya-Kanyigo, Kajjansi Town Council, Wakiso district.

The model village, with a nursery, primary school and demonstration farm, looks after former street children and provides free education to vulnerable children from poor families in the community.

Fang also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa Ewaka executive director, Gilbert Olinga, for a five-year collaboration and support.

Acting Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Fan Xuecheng remarks.

Tong Fang and the acting Chinese ambassador Fan Xuecheng.

Africa Ewaka is a community project established in 2023 by Testimony Africa, a local non-governmental organisation, and Miamore Foundation, a 501c United States-based charity.

The donation included 120 school desks, 66 mosquito nets, 100 blankets, and a solar-powered borehole aimed at improving access to clean water, strengthening education, and combating malaria among vulnerable children.

Olinga and his co-director, Mia Niazi of the Miamore Foundation, expressed gratitude for the partnerships, saying they would remain central to the project’s growth.

Africa Ewaka executive director, Gilbert Olinga remarks.

“Through support from partners like CUWA, Africa Ewaka is setting up a demonstration village, social centre, education centre, and a skilling hub”.

The project goal is to create a sustainable community where children are safe, educated, and equipped with life skills,” Olinga stated.

The solar-powered borehole will address chronic water shortages and reduce waterborne diseases, according to Olinga, while the school desks will enhance learning conditions at the centre’s education facility. Mosquito nets and blankets will help protect children from malaria and cold, two major health risks for children living in vulnerable conditions.

Olinga explained that Africa Ewaka was founded to provide a safe space and a home for street children in and around. Since its inception, he said, the center has become a refuge for children at risk, offering shelter, care, and access to basic services.

“CUWA’s contribution adds to a growing list of local and international partners working with Africa Ewaka to transform the lives of street children through education, skills development, and safe housing,” Olinga said.

He added, “This place is not just a home for the street children, refugees, and orphans, but also acts as a demonstration village where people come and learn as well as provide education to the vulnerable children,” he said. 

Speaking on behalf of the CUWA, Fang revealed that it has been their aspiration and mission to care for women and children, promote cultural exchanges, pass on the warmth of public welfare to and enhance China-Uganda people-to-people friendship.

The association intends to improve the children's learning and growth environment through practical actions and build a warm world for them.

“This is not only a public welfare donation, but also a concrete practice of our association's purposes of public welfare, mutual assistance, education support, and people-to-people friendship.”

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Cultural dancers entertain guests during the ceremony. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)