W. Equatoria volunteers launch local campaign to support LRA victims

By Richard Ruati

September 16, 2009 (MUNDRI, Western Equatoria) — Hundreds of volunteers are set to start a house-to-house fundraising campaign to collect SDG 50,000 for development projects in areas of affected by Ugandan rebels attacks.

Western Equatoria State’s complex external imported insecurity has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 people since December 15 2009, most of them civilians. Over one hundred thousand people have been forced out of their homes by violence, looting, abductions or gross human rights violations.

Earlier this year alone, more than 50,000 people were forced to flee their homes. Hundreds of thousands have crossed into the surrounding urban counties or further away.

A local nongovernmental groups, the Mundri Relief and Development Association (MRDA), has decided to launch an county-wide fundraising campaign to boost efforts to help the thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected due to operation against the notorious elements from Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

The event is organized by MRDA from 20-26 September. The community fundraising week, commonly known as MRDA Week, will involve raising funds from the local community and well wishers for the construction of a small dam over Royi River, construction of a court house in Mundri and scholarship for students.

All these projects will benefit the community directly who will be kept updated on how the funds will be used.

Royi river is seasonal and cannot allow people in Mundri to grow vegetable throughout the year, a dam will solve this problem. Many children who are orphaned or have single parents will benefit from the funds to be raised and chiefs will hold their court sessions in a permanent house not under mango trees as is currently the case.

“The fund raising week is also to educate local people to contribute for their own development, rather than wait for handouts”, said Kennet Korayi Executive Director of MRDA. “The days when people wait for government and donors to do things for them are passing by very fast. We must stand up and walk”, he further added.

Last year volunteers collected SDG 14,778 to help MRDA construct the first Library in Mundri and renovate clinic for under 5 children. Both projects were fully completed and now functional. The report on how the money was used was presented to the community during meetings and church services.

Since the clinic started operating, 1,653 (848 males and 805 females) children have attended the clinic for weighing, immunization, and malnutrition check up. The community library which is attended mostly by students from Mundri and Motherland progressive secondary schools, has served 1,289 people (1104 males and 185 females) since April to end of August this year.

(ST)