Thousands fundraise for IGF public Library

The drive to fundraise for the construction of a shs600m Irene Gleeson Foundation's (IGF) public library in Kitgum municipality is in high gear with thousands of people turning up for the event.

The Library which will also have a youth centre is expected to become a hub for youth to innovation and new ideas that are aimed at enriching the targeted people.

"We want to see an improved outcomes of learning and performance in this part of the region," Cinderella Anena a volunteer for the fundraising program told New Vision.

IGF started from the late Irene Gleeson an Australian who decided to pitch camp in Kitgum municipality at the time when the region was in a severe LRA war thus causing untold suffering to the masses.

Gleeson was mostly touched when she saw how children were suffering and thus decided to establish a centre which to date has nurtured over 25,000 children into responsible citizens.

IGF provides a holistic care to the beneficiaries through Christianity, education, health, water and sanitation and community education.

Since the death of Gleeson in 2013, her legacy is celebrated annually with a particular focus on critical plans of the IGF. This year's theme is: "Walking to Promote Learning and Development."

This year's event focuses on raising funds to the construction of the library and so far, President Yoweri Museveni has donated shs50m towards this noble cause.

A series of activities that include bicycle riding, wheel chair riding, marathon, football for women and donations to Kitgum Hospital and Kitgum prison were conducted today prior to celebrations slated for Saturday.

The event has also been supported by Uganda Communications Commission, Bank of Uganda, Movit, Riham and Gulu Country Diary.

The Australian High Commissioner to East Africa HE Alison Chartres is the chief walker and President is expected to be the guest of Honor.