Lions Club fundraising for school children's life jackets
Oct 09, 2020
Water levels on Lake Bunyonyi usually rise up and become hostile during the rainy season which affect people who use it in different ways.
EDUCATION|FUNDRAISING|LIFE JACKETS
KAMPALA - The Lions club of Kampala Central is fundraising to purchase life jackets for children who cross Lake Bunyonyi to access schools in Kabale and Kisoro districts.
The fundraising campaign follows reports from Police that there have been several water accidents on Lake Bunyonyi with the recent one being in June this year where two juveniles drowned and died.
The police report indicated that the duo died after their canoe capsized.
The club president, Lydia Ibingira, said they are looking for sh137m to fund three humanitarian projects including purchasing of life jackets for children, conducting 200 cataract surgeries around the country and holding a health camp in Kabale district.
Sh95m of the sh137m is to purchase life jackets for 1000 of the children that use the lake to schools.
"We decided to help purchase life jackets following news reports about children who drown into Lake Bunyonyi while going to school. We want to protect their lives to enable them to grow and be productive citizens," Ibingira said.
In a drive to support the cause, Joint Medical Stores (JMS) donated sh5m.
Handing over the cheque to Lion club members at JMS offices Kampala, Wednesday, Dr. Bildard Baguma , the JMS Executive Director said the donation will help people live and be healthy.
"It is healthy people that are always productive to develop the country from which we all live," Baguma said.
He called upon all other corporates to join fundraisers for humanitarian causes.
Authorities
The Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga, said Bunyonyi is one of the lakes where they register more water accident cases.
"Water levels on Lake Bunyonyi usually rise up and become hostile during the rainy season which affect people who use it in different ways," Enanga said.
He added that people who use the lake including children use old fashioned canoes that are not strong enough to maneuver through strong winds.
"Government is thinking of a ferry to help people move on the lake safely since many cannot afford strong boats with engines that can move in hostile water," he added.
Enanga however said fighting water accidents needs collective efforts from all stakeholders.
"Beach Management Committees need to ensure that before boats leave land for water, they are registered and are in good condition, with all passengers donning safety life jackets," he added.