Breathtaking Uganda in collaboration with the Miss Uganda Foundation, Miss Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has teamed up with Karamoja Children’s Charity, a non-profit organization, to empower vulnerable girls in Karamoja through provision of school fees, scholastic materials, menstrual hygiene management supplies, clothing among other personal effects.
The charity drive will be conducted during the much anticipated Explore Pian Upe and Lokichar Game Reserves, a campaign headlined by beauty queens from the two pageant entities, the State Minister for Tourism Hon. Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, artistes Zex Bilangilangi, The Myth and legendary producer Magic Washington and other travel enthusiasts.
Scheduled for Thursday November 30 to Sunday December 3rd, the tour to the Karamoja region is aimed at highlighting the hidden gems in the region as regards tourism and extending a hand to communities around the two game reserves.
Speaking yesterday during a meet and greet event held at 4LS Lounge in Bukoto for travelers taking part in the tour, Isaiah Jobs Rwanyekiro, CEO Breathtaking Uganda, said the Miss Uganda and Miss Tourism queens will lead the motivational sessions of the charity drive which are aimed at giving girls in Karamoja a hope at life and education irrespective of the hindrances they are faced with.
“Anyone who has something to give, a pair of shoes that you can spare, a shirt that you haven’t won in 3 months meaning you probably don’t need it, anything really… I am sure the children in Karamoja will be happy to receive it,” he said.
Jimmy Dombo aka Jimdo from the Karamoja Children’s Charity highlighted the plight of the girl child in Karamoja and how the organization is endeavoring to change lives of those under their care.
“We pay school fees and take care of children especially the girls because they are more affected than the boys. They get pregnant at an early age, they are forced into early marriages, girls as young as 13-year-olds are getting married off and when things don’t work out, they have no where else to run. We believe that through education, lives can change,” Dombo said.
He added, “We encourage all the people coming to Karamoja for this trip to contribute something towards the betterment of these girls. One of the issues girls have is lack of menstrual hygiene management products. I don’t know if you have heard but some of the ways girls manage their period is simply sitting in the sand until the fluid drains out. This is a sad story but it is happening here in Uganda amidst the other plenty that we have. So, carry sanitary products among others things that we can give to the girls.”
In a previous statement on the tour, Rwanyekiro noted that the Miss Uganda and Tourism beauty queens will give motivational talks to the affected girls on issues of mental health, menstrual hygiene and encourage them to stay in school, desist from teenage and early/childhood marriages.
“We are very excited for the charity drive. We look forward to meeting the girls and sharing with them as they share with us. I f we can leave them with an impact, that will be a nice thing. Above all, we are excited to go for this trip and interact with all of you,” said Whitney Ademun from Miss Uganda Foundation.
READ: Pian Upe, Lokichar Game Reserves Tour: Fun, Cultural Immersion & Rare Wildlife Sightings Await
In his remarks, Zex Bilangilangi noted that the mission of the tour is close to one of the things he is passionate about -activism.
“As a creative artist and activist, I am ready to go and see the activism done on the ground, I would love to inspire and motivate the people we are going to meet. Anything that is done for a cause, me and my team are all in. Touring and marketing this beautiful country and engaging in the charity are important,” Bilangilangi said.
On his end, producer Washington said the Karamojong do not need to go through what they are going through now especially in a country that prides in purported equality and equal opportunities.
“To hear that girls in Karamoja cannot afford sanitary pads is so embarrassing. People are here taking beer of I don’t know how much. We should all pay attention to this issue. At least we can buy packs of pads or we can talk to the companies that manufacture or supply these products to build companies there and make supply easier. This is just common sense,” Washington said.