I truly hope everyone reading this is staying safe during this global health crisis. Coronavirus has hit countries all over the world hard. Amidst all the latest news about outbreaks, shutdowns, etc. I find myself thinking more and more about the kids in Uganda right now.
Each time my heart hurts thinking about my fellow Americans who are facing job loss, social isolation, illness, and even death, I also think about how Coronavirus just made its way to Uganda. And what happens now?
In America we drive our sedans, trucks, and SUV’s to a major warehouse or grocery store, spend hundreds of dollars stocking up on household essentials. If we get sick we have doctors and hospitals within a short distance to go to treat our symptoms. Many of us are fortunate enough to have health insurance to cover the costs of care.
But what happens when you are forced to live without these luxuries? What happens when you live in a third-world country where it’s hard to find access to cars, grocery stores, and doctors/hospitals? What happens when you’re living life as an orphaned beggar on the street, but there’s nobody to beg to because everyone is at home practicing social distancing? What happens when you contract the virus, but have no means of getting access to treatment for symptoms, much less money to pay for it?
Thankfully the outbreak in Uganda, where our kids are located, is very low right now, but it’s only a matter of time before the virus makes its way there. Uganda is now starting to practice social distancing, as well as putting in preventative measures like travel bans in place to help brace for, and minimize the impact. In the U.S. we have relatively easy access to care, and with healthcare being a major industry with several resources at health provider’s disposal, Coronavirus is still running our resources dry for effective treatment. Now think about what happens when you go to a country like Uganda where access to healthcare is even more limited. It seems natural that in a country like this, the best course of action is to take steps to prevent the disease from entering the country in order to minimize the impact once it does get there. In countries where that care is harder to get for many reasons, it seems natural that they would put more resources into trying to stop the virus from entering the country at all as once it does, resources are likely to be more scarce than in other nations already battling it.
In a terrible time like this, it is even easier to take what we have for granted. While times are definitely tough, let’s not forget about those who have it even tougher, and be thankful for what we do have. I know we all have a lot going on in our lives, but every little bit helps. If you can spare even $5 to help ensure we can provide a network of aid to the orphaned children in our schools, we would be eternally grateful.
Wishing you health, safety, and comfort,
Cristen
