MEMBERS of Ilkley based charity, Give a Child a Hope (GACAH ), which supports the education of approximately 150 of the most disadvantaged children in Matugga, Uganda, were moved and inspired by the efforts of the team at the Revival Centre Schools in the country to overcome the destructive effects of Covid 19 on the school and local community.

In Uganda, as in the UK, Coronavirus has had a significant impact, with schools, universities and businesses having to close. Sadly, lacking any state support, during this difficult time many incomes in Matugga dried up and people began to starve.

In response, Bishop Ivan Lugoloobi, who with his wife Allen and their team run the Revival Centre, participated in an interfaith humanitarian food relief programme for the town.

On hearing this Debbie Walker, chair of GACAH , said: “We felt inspired and moved to support their efforts in whatever way we could.”

The charity has been able to send money to help the team with the relief programme. Funds have also been sent to maintain the Revival teachers’ salaries thus ensuring that their families remain supported.

At the beginning of this year Uganda’s restrictions eased with a phased return to school for the children. Debbie explained that “supporter generosity has enabled us to send funds to purchase all the PPE required to meet Covid guidelines, plus extra beds and food.”

Ironically, of all the many difficult challenges Revival has encountered this last year, the most worrying for the school’s future was not Covid related but was a bid by a local developer to buy the title of the land upon which the primary school stands. “Suddenly everything that the Revival Centre had achieved was at risk,” Debbie told us. “The trustees agreed that we must help Ivan and Allen purchase the land title and secure the future of the school.”

Like other UK charities GACAH has needed to adapt fund-raising events to meet Covid restrictions, which has not been easy, and people’s own uncertainty about the future has put donations at risk. However, in recent weeks they have received some gifts towards the purchase. “We are so thankful for people’s generosity,” said Debbie, “but we still have a mountain to climb to find a further £18,100 to complete the purchase.”

To add to all this, sadly, once again Uganda is under lockdown as Covid 19 cases have been rising rapidly. Consequently, the schools have had to temporarily shut their doors until further notice.

The link between the Revival Centre Matugga, Uganda was first established 21 years ago with St John’s Church, Ben Rhydding. Pastor Ivan, as he was then, felt inspired to help the poorest of the community by building a school. As the connection grew the Ilkley charity Give a Child a Hope was formed to work in partnership with the Revival Centre and to coordinate support in the UK. Revival Centre now consists of a nursery, primary, and secondary school, clinic, and church, and educates alongside the 150 “Champions”, as Ivan calls them, a further 400 students who pay what fees they can afford.

Bishop Ivan has been a great ambassador for the work of Revival Centre here in Ilkley and district over the years and is known to many through his visits to Yorkshire each June to meet with supporters.

When he is here, Ivan likes to share news of life at Revival with whoever he meets and enjoys visiting local schools, exchanging the Revival children’s project work which they have completed as part of class twinning arrangements.

Despite so many challenges it seems the children of Revival are still flourishing.

“If he was here now,” says Reverend Peter Willox, “despite all the problems, he would be telling us the good news stories with a big smile on his face.” Revival has some of the best exam results in their district, and several of the supported students have moved on into further education with a charity scholarship. This year two beneficiaries from the scholarship programme graduate from university, James in Medicine and Rebecca in Law. Two other champions, Denis and Fisal, were thrilled to start their chosen University courses in Engineering.

“We who have so much, have yet gained so much more through our connection with the Revival Centre,” said Reverend Willox. “Bishop Ivan, Allen, the teachers and all the children are a real inspiration. Ivan is rightly proud of what they have all achieved and it is a privilege to help them now in their time of need. Without our wonderful, loyal supporters this would not be possible.”

For more information email: giveachildahope@gmail.com or to donate use: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?charityId=1017378