| June 2012
Report - News of what is happening at home, in Uganda, and some
details of the fund raising event being organised for 15th
September 2012. |
| It’s now
more than 6 weeks since my heart surgery, and I had expected to
be well recovered and ready for work by now – yet here I
am, writing this from a hospital bed, with investigations
continuing into so far unidentified infections. Unfortunately,
for much of the time I simply don’t feel up to tackling
anything work related, so please be patient if you are waiting
to hear from me. I realise a big backlog is accumulating but I
simply can’t do anything about it at present. I will try to
catch up as soon as I am able, but that may take some time. |
| However, with
or without me, the work of Acheru goes on and I hope in future
they will be less and less dependent on me. Thank you to those
who are assisting direct with Acheru or helping Africare in
other ways, it’s a big encouragement to me. I really don’t
want to carry all the responsibility for Acheru, it’s too
important a work now to be dependent on one person. |
| Latest news
from Acheru is that the new patient/relative hostel is finished
and fully occupied, giving us another 12 inpatient beds. We also
changed the plans to include further staff accommodation; this
meant the cost exceeded estimates, but we think it will prove
very worthwhile. Work has now started on a staff house for Joyce
and her family. When this is ready, the nurses presently
accommodated in the inpatient unit can move to the staff
apartments presently occupied by Joyce, and this will free up
more space for inpatient beds. This means we should be treating
many more patients in future, but I would ask you to think about
the increased burden on the staff, and the demands on the
budget. Now that capacity is increased, we are looking very
carefully at how to develop our work in the north and I hope to
have more news on this soon. |
| Now news of a
big Africare event. Please note that this has been organised
for Africare, not by Africare – and this is
a big encouragement. People often have ideas for promoting
Africare, but this usually means work for us which we just don’t
have time for. This event has been organised by Etta Halliday,
and is very timely. Firstly, I am simply not able to do anything
at present. Secondly, it is exactly the right time to try to
raise the profile of Africare in view of plans for Acheru to
develop work in the north of Uganda. |
| I hope you will
be able to join us on Saturday 15th September in Belfast
City Hall for “A Song And A Supper” to
celebrate Africare’s work. Tickets are priced at £30
– great value for what is planned! |
Guests will
enjoy:
- an African reception (drumming, a
“welcome” drink and an exhibition of art and
photography)
- a three course meal with a
background of live jazz piano
- a short musical concert with
friends from New Irish Arts
- updated information about
Africare
- Dress code “smart casual” |
| Tickets can be
obtained from Africare or from Etta Halliday at 07780 962 697 or
email: etta.halliday@tiscali.co.uk |
| Etta would be
delighted to talk to individuals or businesses who would be
interested in sponsoring part of the evening. |
| It should be a
really special evening and we want to see as many of you as
possible attending. The host is Alderman May Campbell, the High
Sheriff, with all facilities provided free courtesy of Belfast
City Council. The aim is that everything will be provided at no
cost to Africare, which means that all money raised will go to
the work of Acheru, and I hope that on the night I will be able
to tell you more about our developing plans for northern Uganda,
and how the money raised will be used. |
| Brian Dorman |
