Corporates put a smile on children's faces

Until October 31, New Vision will devote space to highlighting the plight of slum dwellers as well as profiling those offering selfless service to improve conditions in these areas.

Today, ANDREW MASINDE brings you the story of how Standard Chartered Bank staff visited SASCU children in Kifumbira after a reading their story in the New Vision It was all smiles at Save the Street Children (SASCU) premises in Kifumbira over the weekend as Standard Chartered Bank staff treated the less advantaged children to a sumptuous meal.

Besides donating an assortment of items including foodstuff, the bank staff also scrubbed the premises clean and slashed the surrounding areas as the former street children watched in amazement.

The Standard Chartered Bank move followed a story published in New Vision of September 19, highlighting the plight of the children being supported by the local NGO.

The story is part of theUgandans Making a Difference series New Vision has been running for the past two months.

The series highlight the plight of the over 2.6 million slum dwellers in Uganda and those working to improve the conditions of this underprivileged people.

“When I read the story, I was touched because all my life, I had never heard of any NGO doing such a great job in Kifumbira,” Herbert Zaake,the bank’s head of corporate affairs said at the event.

“We were used to hearing about the crimes and hooliganism in this area so this made me talk to my workmates to do something for this NGO.

That’s why a team of staff offered to visit SASCU,” Zake explained.

At the SASCU premises, the bank staff engaged in a series of activities including playing games with the children, washing their clothes and dining with them.

“I am very happy for the compassion this is the best day of my life,” said Mariam Namusoke, one of the children at the centre.

“From today I have learntthat there are people out there who love us and I will work hard also to show love to those who don’t feel loved.

If all media houses were not only concentrating on the well-off people, but also on the less privileged the way New Vision does, then many organisations and individuals would be giving assistance to the needy,” she added.

Daisy Nantumbwe who was picked from the streets in 2009 had this to say: “I am pleased with the good job New Vision is doing.
If our plight was not highlighted, institutions like Standard Chartered Bank wouldn’t have come to our aid.”

SASCU, a local NGO was started in 2005 by Innocent Byaruhanga, who was also a street child. Its objectives include rehabilitation and reintegration of street children and providing hope for orphans and other vulnerable children (OVCs).

Located in the sprawling Kifumbira slum in Kamwokya, the NGO also advocates for the legal rights and protection of street children besides providing education and other material support.

The centre supports 270 destitute children today. Byaruhanga commended New Vision for publishing the story and highlighting theplight of the under-privileged in general.

“Who would have known this organisation if New Vision had not published the story?” he asked.

“I also thank Standard Chartered for all they have done for SASCU because it takes a very kind and godly heart for a big entity like Standard Chartered bank staff to leave their busy work schedule to come and share with the needy.

You have given our children more encouragement because they now know that there are people out there who love and care about them,” Byaruhanga
said.

Cynthia Mpanga, the bank’scorporate affairs manager, saidthe gesture was to show the needy they were loved.

“When we read the story many people were touched and I was very happy when many came up to contribute to see that at least the children ofSASCU get some help. That’s why I want to thank New Vision for publishing the story about the organisation, a story that made people know that
there are people who need help,” she said.

Other organisations that joined the bank at the event included TASO, dentists from Mulago, lawyers, community members and councillors, who talked to the children and offered all kinds of support.

Harriet Musoke, the bank’s head of human resource, who represented the CEO thanked all the staff for their contribution towards changing the lives of the disadvantaged children.

She counselled the children not to think that they are nothing but work hard because they have a life ahead of them and she pledged the bank’s continued support.

The local council representative Israel Musaazi also commended the bank and New Vision for their generous supportto the underprivileged.

He also commended SASCU for doing a great job and pledged continued support as a local council.