The Igulu foundation is based in the village of Bujagali in Uganda. The name IGULU comes from the local Lusoga dialect meaning “Heaven”.

The founder, Sinaan Igulu is a local man, born and raised in Bujagali by his Mother and his extended family. Sinaan started this foundation to help local people; orphans, single mothers, those with disabilities within his community. Sinaan himself experienced many challenges in his childhood, living in a family where his Mother was solely responsible for the needs of her family despite having no income from paid employment.

The lack of access to many basic needs both within his own family and within his community resulted in him setting up the Igulu Foundation. He believes that “People help the needy without any hope of being helped back” and feels that “everyone is able to help the needy in anyway as long he or she has a giving heart and a supporting hand and heart”.

The Igulu foundation is a small, registered NGO. Their programs include; child sponsorship, supporting, educating and caring for orphans and vulnerable children and supporting single mothers in developing their skills to allow them to financially support their families. They currently host up to 15 children on an ongoing basis at the foundation, ranging from 1 to 15 years. They provide these children with basic needs and are dedicated to being their carers, educators and support network for those children who have lost or were denied a chance of being shown parental love due to the loss of their parents through HIV, poverty or family neglect.

The IGULU MISSION is to “lead all people especially vulnerable children, teenagers, and single mothers through education sponsorship, giving out best quality Agriculture seeds and breeds, art and craft and a children’s home to improve their lives and opportunities to become young adults and parents who bring positive change in their communities”.

The Igulu Foundation have kindly accepted me to work with them as a Volunteer for a month, from the 17th September to the 15th October 2024. I will be doing whatever is needed of me. Having spoken to the team at Igulu, they need help with the children in terms of schoolwork and care and at times help with maintenance projects and farmwork.

I would be very grateful to you, if you could donate in any small way to raise funds for the following travel expenses and Foundation project:

My intention is to pay for my own living expenses, travel and health insurance during this period of time. In the interest of transparency the following are the costs relating to my time with The Igulu Foundation: flights (approx. €900), vaccinations (approx. €600), accommodation (approx. €360) and transfers to the village (€180 return).

Solar Panel Project– They require 3.5 million Uganda shillings to fund their solar panel project to provide uninterrupted electrical supply to their facility and residents. Their electricity supply is at best, basic and more often than not they do not have the facility to provide electricity when schooling their children, much of their work once the sun has set at 6.30pm is done with torches or pre-charged battery packs. 3.5 million Uganda shillings is approximately €850.

If, due to your generosity we were able to fundraise more than €3,000, the extra funds would be used for ongoing costs of the Foundation.

My sincerest gratitude to you all for taking the time to connect with the GoFundMe fundraiser and many thanks for your donations.

Namaste,

Helen