Gulu to get sh2b village
Mar 26, 2008
THE SOS president, Helmut Kutin, has launched the construction of a $1.5m (sh2.58b) children’s village and kindergarten in Gulu district. Kutin said needy children need to be assisted to grow up like any others in the community, adding that they have to be provided with all the basics in life.
By Chris Ocowun
THE SOS president, Helmut Kutin, has launched the construction of a $1.5m (sh2.58b) children’s village and kindergarten in Gulu district. Kutin said needy children need to be assisted to grow up like any others in the community, adding that they have to be provided with all the basics in life.
The launch of the new children’s centre at Pece Division in the municipality took place last week amidst ululation from the SOS mothers (caretakers).
Kutin later planted a tree in the middle of the village that will accommodate more than 150 children and their mothers.
Other structures include a guest wing, administration block and the director’s house that are already at wall stage.
The National Forestry Authority leased the land to the organisation.
Kutin cautioned the contractor, Harree Construction Company, against doing a shoddy job, noting that there had already been a delay in completing the work.
The Harree officials said the village would be ready for occupation by early August.
The Gulu children’s village director, Charles Kiyimba, told journalists that they were looking after more than 500 vulnerable children at the old centre.
“Of these, 372 are living with the community, 45 are at the daycare centre and 106 at the children’s village. The children stay with us until they are 25 years old,†he explained.
Kiyimba added that many of the needy children they take care of are identified from within the community by the local leaders, churches and the Police before they investigate to find out the truth about them.
The fundraising and communications coordinator, Irene Karamagi, noted that the kindergarten would also serve children from the nearby residential areas.
The health workers at the village complained of so many patients seeking their services but Kutin jokingly said: “Overwhelming patient attendance is a must, otherwise we do not need you here.â€
THE SOS president, Helmut Kutin, has launched the construction of a $1.5m (sh2.58b) children’s village and kindergarten in Gulu district. Kutin said needy children need to be assisted to grow up like any others in the community, adding that they have to be provided with all the basics in life.
The launch of the new children’s centre at Pece Division in the municipality took place last week amidst ululation from the SOS mothers (caretakers).
Kutin later planted a tree in the middle of the village that will accommodate more than 150 children and their mothers.
Other structures include a guest wing, administration block and the director’s house that are already at wall stage.
The National Forestry Authority leased the land to the organisation.
Kutin cautioned the contractor, Harree Construction Company, against doing a shoddy job, noting that there had already been a delay in completing the work.
The Harree officials said the village would be ready for occupation by early August.
The Gulu children’s village director, Charles Kiyimba, told journalists that they were looking after more than 500 vulnerable children at the old centre.
“Of these, 372 are living with the community, 45 are at the daycare centre and 106 at the children’s village. The children stay with us until they are 25 years old,†he explained.
Kiyimba added that many of the needy children they take care of are identified from within the community by the local leaders, churches and the Police before they investigate to find out the truth about them.
The fundraising and communications coordinator, Irene Karamagi, noted that the kindergarten would also serve children from the nearby residential areas.
The health workers at the village complained of so many patients seeking their services but Kutin jokingly said: “Overwhelming patient attendance is a must, otherwise we do not need you here.â€