In June 2019, along with a couple of well-known recruitment industry figures, I travelled to Uganda to witness first-hand the impact our raised funds were having on stricken communities in the most remote and impoverished parts of the country.

Truthfully, I never thought I would return feeling the way I did.

These people have nothing, and yet their outlook on life is truly inspirational. We talk about resilience but this is something else!

Kids walk miles to fetch water from a muddy, infested pond, schools are ramshackle rubbles, and with no money to pay for teachers, parents are the educators, whilst students sit listening from dusty floors. 

Families are torn apart by antiquated laws. Food is grain. Happiness is a pair of shoes.

But you know what? They keep on smiling. Huge, beautiful, grins.

With funding, the whole landscape of opportunity changes. We can build wells and schools, fund teachers, provide grain, sustainable livestock and deliver proper food, clothes that fit, and books to read.

And the thing is, a little goes a long way:

A pig costs £50. A teacher £150 a month. A brand new well is just £2,400 - and this serves an entire community for a lifetime!

As you would imagine COVID exacerbated this situation, with medical care even more spares and communication channels remote and remedial. 

Together, we can change all this.

Please donate and help these amazing people see a future as bright as their smiles.

Thank you.

Simon Lewis, on behalf of RecConnect & Changemakers