Humanist

“Thank you so much for connecting with me! Norah, I am so very sorry for what my government has done to Uganda and so many other countries.” My sister blogger wrote in reaction to a comment I made on her post:

“Trump Continues to Attack Universities and our Health”

Uganda, my homeland, alongside Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia is indeed among African countries that are among the top five countries most impacted by USAID funding cuts.

Here is the list of the top ten countries, in order of the most impacted:

• Ukraine = US$ 1,433 million cut
• Democratic Republic of Congo = US$ 387 million cut
• Ethiopia = US$ 387 million cut
• Colombia = US$ 309 million cut
• Uganda = US$ 307 million cut
• South Africa = US$261 million cut
• Palestine = US$ 240 million cut
• Bangladesh = US$ 229 million cut
• Kenya = US$ 225 million cut
• Afghanistan = US$ 223 million cut

The full list is available from the Centre for Global Development.

“I shudder to think of the millions of people around the world who will suffer and die because there is no more food or medical aid coming from the United States

The situation now without USAID is dire in so many places.

Please know — and please spread the word — that the people of the United States are heart-broken and angry over the sudden end of USAID.

I have shed tears over it. I continue to write letters to my two U.S. Senators and my Congress representative.

Jesus Christ taught us to welcome the stranger and help the poor, the sick, the elderly, the helpless. No true Christian would cut off funding for food and medical supplies and medical research.

Most of us are heart sick over the end of programs like USAID. I pray that someday, USAID will be reconstructed. Sadly, millions of people will die unnecessarily before that day comes.

All I can do right now is apologize, pray and keep speaking out through my blog.”

Enabling this kind of humane human connection with others, in this case through “Janet’s Writing Blog” here on WordPress, is what I enjoy the most about writing.

The challenge remains huge for nonprofits, such as the one that I work for, CPAR Uganda, to find alternative funding for our work in support of disadvantaged communities.

Knowing, however, that others around the world are concerned too, lightens the burden somewhat. The reason why I enjoy writing for it fosters knowledge exchange and learning.

And so, I thank you Janet and all you my followers who take the time to read, react to and engage with my posts.