FAQs About Buyamba's Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak
Our mission to offer love, hope, and a future through education and discipleship continues even though the students are not in school. We take very seriously our responsibility for the well-being of our children and their families. It has been crucial during this time to adjust how we carry out our vision to care for the orphaned and needy children of Uganda. Below are answers to some questions we’ve received about how Buyamba and our field staff are operating during this crisis.
FAQ's
How is Uganda Responding to COVID-19?
As a precautionary measure, on 18 March, President Yoweri Museveni banned all incoming and outgoing travel to specified highly affected counties for a period of 32 days. Schools have been closed and public gatherings banned. Up until May 5, 2020, most businesses had to remain closed. Food markets remained open, but many vendors were unable to return home and had to sleep in markets due to the suspension of public transport. A small number of businesses such as factories, garages, hardware shops, metalworks and restaurants for takeaway were allowed to reopen on May 5. At this time schools, public gatherings, and places of worship are closed indefinitely.
When Will Schools Reopen?
Buyamba is waiting to hear from President Yoweri Museveni regarding the school reopening dates and ordinances. Either school will start in the last quarter of the year (2020), hoping that students will catch up with less time off in the upcoming year, or the year will be declared a "dead school year." If that is the case, school will resume in the usual start-up time in the first quarter of 2021 with the requirement for each student to repeat the level they were at when COVID appeared.
University and trade school students are also in the same situation, although many higher-level institutions are trying to set up online classes. This will put our students at a disadvantage since they do not own their computers, for many of them come from desperate living situations. Buyamba US is now exploring ways to fund raise for computers for our students.
University and trade school students are also in the same situation, although many higher-level institutions are trying to set up online classes. This will put our students at a disadvantage since they do not own their computers, for many of them come from desperate living situations. Buyamba US is now exploring ways to fund raise for computers for our students.
How are you using my sponsorship funds?
Your sponsorship funds are working to secure the ongoing existence of God Cares Schools. We continue to pay our teachers, and there are operational bills to be paid. There are also educational materials copied on mass and delivered or picked up by as many students as possible and we are operating a food outreach for all student families who need help.
When your child comes back to school, it will be a joyous occasion! Usually, a student arrives with all the requirements needed for school from home as part of reentering GCS at each term. We realize that most families are destitute and without jobs. Buyamba will ensure that this year, their requirements are provided for upon reentry.
When your child comes back to school, it will be a joyous occasion! Usually, a student arrives with all the requirements needed for school from home as part of reentering GCS at each term. We realize that most families are destitute and without jobs. Buyamba will ensure that this year, their requirements are provided for upon reentry.
When Will I Hear From My Sponsored Child?
As soon as the students are back in school, we will make every effort to have them write a letter to their sponsors. We will also get new photos to send out to you as soon as possible. Please pray and be patient for us for this day to come. We are eager to get information and updates to our faithful donors and sponsors.
What If My Child Contacts Me With A Need?
Although God Cares Schools and Buyamba discourages students from contacting their sponsors directly, some of the older students may get access to wireless and may contact their sponsors. Again, this is not encouraged; however, if your child were ever to contact you with a need, please contact us immediately. We are trying to help our kids and their families survive in their current situation in some cases. We will check out any concerns they have and help you help them if needed. Please do not intentionally reach out to your older student directly but go to our "write to your child" page to write a letter and we will get it to them as soon as possible.
How Are Teachers and Staff of GCS Engaging with the students?
Many staff members are working ongoing to provide educational materials for the students. Lesson plans and pages of work material are prepared and sorted for each age group. The students are encouraged to pick up their schoolwork at a central location provided, such as God Cares Primary or Secondary school, or KPC church, or even a meeting place for the outreach visit in each given slum area or community center.
The teachers are also correcting and responding to the students' schoolwork and provide more as needed ongoing.
The social workers and administration team are also part of this process and attend local meetings regarding reopening and student standards and continue to visit students.
The teachers are also correcting and responding to the students' schoolwork and provide more as needed ongoing.
The social workers and administration team are also part of this process and attend local meetings regarding reopening and student standards and continue to visit students.
What if My Child Doesn't Return To School?
Our number one priority is to be in communication with ALL of our students and ensure we have correct contact information for when schools reopen. While we are praying that every one of our students will return to school, due to circumstances out of our control, it may be that some students do not make it back. If this happens to be your sponsored child, we will contact you and have you pray about sponsoring another child in need.
How Can I Help During This Crisis?
There are many ways you can be involved in assisting Buyamba at this time. The first and most important is to continue to pray for the children of Uganda and God Cares School families. Secondly, be faithful in your ongoing commitment to your child or donation to Buyamba. Our donors are so reliable and are empowering the Buyamba organization to continue our work in Uganda.
Food and housing stability have become a significant issue with the students' families due to the lockdown. We created the Buyamba Food Outreach program to meet the needs of our students and their families. As often as possible our God Cares Staff have been distributing food packages to villages which feed a family for 2 - 3 weeks.
We could never reach all that need help in Uganda, but we are called to take care of the GCS community of students and teachers.
For a gift of $20.00, you can feed a family for
two-three weeks! The family will receive:
We could never reach all that need help in Uganda, but we are called to take care of the GCS community of students and teachers.
For a gift of $20.00, you can feed a family for
two-three weeks! The family will receive:
- 22lbs of posho
- 4.5lbs of sugar
- 11lbs of rice
- 2 bars of soap
Can I Still Send Letters to My Child? Will I Receive Letters From My Child?
Yes! We are currently scanning and sending letters and cards to Uganda since we could not send a big package of letters to Uganda. Worship Dongo Byakika has asked that we encourage the sponsors to send letters for the students are asking about how their sponsors are! They are thinking about them as much as the sponsors are thinking about the children.
Will I get a letter back from my child? Currently, letter writing is not a top priority for children and their families struggling with food shortages and job loss. BUT, as soon as our students are released to go back to school, we will be making every effort to get those letters and updated pictures to you. Thanks for your patience in this process. But please do not let that stop you from writing to your child!
Will I get a letter back from my child? Currently, letter writing is not a top priority for children and their families struggling with food shortages and job loss. BUT, as soon as our students are released to go back to school, we will be making every effort to get those letters and updated pictures to you. Thanks for your patience in this process. But please do not let that stop you from writing to your child!
Will My Birthday Or Family Gift Get to My Child?
Many of our sponsors give every year towards their child's birthday gift or additional gift for their child's needs. If you are a sponsor and have done that in 2020, we will be distributing those determined gifts when the students return to school. These gifts have been designated for them and will not be used for any other reason; however, the 2020 gifts will be held until school starts again.
Can I Still Send A Christmas Basket To My Child This YEar?
This year, our focus is on funding our food outreach and educational material for our students. Our efforts are focused on reaching all the families and caring for those who need help. Since the students are not in school, we will be unable to send home baskets this year, but if you would like to join us to feed families, please do!
Are There Mission Trips to Uganda Planned For 2021?
Not yet, but we are praying for that to happen! The borders are still closed to those outside the Uganda perimeters. The airport is just beginning to discuss reopening in October of this year. If all is clear and we can safely proceed, we will resume a Buyamba trip, and other church short term team trips to all who desire to minister to our children.
If you would like to sign up for a Buyamba trip in the future or would like more information, please visit our mission trip page.
If you would like to sign up for a Buyamba trip in the future or would like more information, please visit our mission trip page.
Will There Be Any Buyamba Events This Year?
Buyamba's fundraisers have been severely impacted this year, yet one such extra event has survived to have its day. Our annual pumpkin patch will happen again in partnership with Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, CA. Save the dates, October 17th and 18th we will be set up on the church's front lawn. Details will follow to those in this geographic area.
Our annual banquet has been postponed until 2021. We are looking forward to celebrating the work the Lord has done during this season and beyond!
Our annual banquet has been postponed until 2021. We are looking forward to celebrating the work the Lord has done during this season and beyond!
Can I Still Sponsor A Child During THis Time?
YES! We have over 100 children registered that are ready to be sponsored today. We don’t know what life in Uganda will be like after COVID-19, but one thing is certain, children in Uganda need a sponsor to give them opportunities to escape poverty, pursue education, and become Christ-like people who will renew society with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every child sponsored represents a changed life.
Will There Be A Bible Camp This Year?
We are ready to conduct a VIRTUAL bible camp this year in partnership with Cross Timbers Church in Denton, Texas. The church's Hope Center has planned a curriculum with Glory Dongo, who recently interned there and worked with church leaders to develop a new way to do a hands-on bible camp with the kids at God Cares even though the faithful team can not physically be there. We will share details as it unfolds when the students go back to school.
Support Food Costs - COVID 19 Crisis
SOME OF YOU HAVE ASKED... how you can help beyond sponsorships and building support ... our new need is simply funds for rising FOOD COSTS. This rise is prevalent everywhere in Uganda because they are dealing with the locust problem in the north and the virus situation throughout. You can give on our donate page, as usual, designating "FOOD" in the note area intended for your designation.
Your support will help us provide for our students during this time of crisis.
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