News Archive
Ugandan Archbishop Bakyenga Speaks in
San Diego
August, 2009 -
Ugandan Catholic Archbishop Paul Bakyenga, who dreamed of building the
first dedicated children’s hospital in Uganda and inspired us to help
make that dream a reality, came to San Diego in August, 2009.
He attended a reception in his honor on August 8, 2009
in Rancho Santa Fe (learn more…).
At the reception Archbishop Bakyenga spoke about the
children of Mbarara,
Uganda; the
opening of Phase 1 of Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital; and the joy of
the Mbarara community at the unprecedented effort by San Diegans and an
entire international community, that has resulted in this life-saving
facility for Mbarara.
|
The reception featured jazz music, African drum music, wine tasting, models in
traditional Ugandan dress, authentic Ugandan crafts, and a silent and
live auction. Proceeds from
the reception will fund the remaining Phase 1 hospital construction
costs and initial start-up expenses.
University of San Diego’s Dr. Anita Hunter, who has led
four medical and training missions to Mbarara since 2007, also spoke at the reception. In
addition, USD graduates Connor Johnson, Annie O’Brien and Brian Cervenka
spoke about their eight-month internship in Mbarara, where they
played a critical role in the development of the hospital and became a
beloved part of the community (see Three USD Grads Return…).
|
|
USD Grads Return from 8-Month Internship in Mbarara
May, 2009 - USD
grads Annie O’Brien, Brian Cervenka and Connor Johnson returned in May
from a life-changing eight-month internship in
Mbarara,
Uganda.
Annie, Brian and Connor gave their time, energy and compassion to
the Mbarara community – and the children of Mbarara are immeasurably
better for it.
The three USD grads
rolled up their sleeves and jumped right in from day one, facilitating
communication between San Diego-based Holy Innocents and the Catholic
Archdiocese of Mbarara, identifying and sourcing required supplies,
helping to procure equipment and furniture, clearing brush and creating
a 5,000 sq. ft. vegetable garden on hospital property, and participating
in fundraising activities for the hospital.
|
HI Interns Brian Cervenka and Annie O'Brien
with children from Mbarara. Together with Connor Johnson, Brian
and Annie spent eight months working on Holy Innocents Children's
Hospital and supporting the children of Mbarara. |
|
In
their “spare time,” they participated in immunization outreaches to
children in rural villages, assisted Ugandan Red Cross during a cholera
outbreak, participated in mosquito net distributions and trainings to
protect children from malaria, played with children at the local
orphanage, comforted children affected by AIDS, and made friends with
scores of children who in many cases had never seen a white-skinned “muzungo”
before.
|
Initially expecting
their internship to be “hard but worthwhile,” Annie, Brian and Connor
found themselves inspired by the beauty of this sub-Saharan region, the
friendliness of the community, the affection of the children and the
genuine appreciation shown to them by so many.
Though they were involved with community and hospital activities
from early morning until late at night, they were constantly energized
by the difference they were making in so many lives.
|
|
It
has been a humbling and unforgettable experience for all three.
Connor and Annie have been inspired to pursue careers in health
services. Brian, who will
attend medical school this fall, says he expects to have a life-long
connection with
Uganda.
|
HI board member
Msgr. Dennis Mikulanis expresses our entire organization’s appreciation
and respect for Annie, Brian and Connor when he declares, “We’ve got
some new heroes….”
|
|
Volunteers from All over the World…
|
|
May 25, 2009 - Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital has been
blessed with volunteers from all over the world. Eleanor
Hayes, RGN. MSc. is a consultant based in
Belfast,
Northern Ireland
with over 34 years’ experience including expertise in the
administration of third-world health facilities.
In January, 2009, Eleanor travelled to Mbarara and generously
volunteered her time to Holy Innocents |
Eleanor Hayes
|
|
|
starting in June 2009 to help open the hospital and
mentor the administrative and nursing staff to enhance their ability to
care for children in a specialized pediatric hospital. God bless
Patricia for her passion and service to Holy Innocents Children’s
Hospital and the children of Mbarara. |
Patricia O'Callaghan
|
|
to help finalize the configuration of the
hospital and advise on hiring and logistical issues.
Holy Innocents teams in Mbarara and San Diego alike found her
advice and experience to be invaluable.
The quality and effectiveness of the hospital have been improved
thanks to her contribution.
Patricia O’Callaghan, RN, ONC, MBA is an experienced hospital
Director,
also from Belfast,
Northern Ireland. One of Patricia’s
life goals has been to serve in Africa
helping those in need. Patricia is retiring from her active role
in
The Belfast Health and
Social Care Trust and has volunteered to spend six months
in Mbarara |
Canadian Rachel Yance and San Diegan
Andrea Ferrada are RNs who have been serving people
in need internationally for the past two years. Both have
extensive experience in emergency room nursing, flight nursing, and
helping those who have been victims of natural disasters (Hurricane
Katrina and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami). Both have had a desire to
serve in Africa and heard about our
Holy Innocents work from the USD Alumni News and our website. They are
volunteering to spend three months in Mbarara working with the nursing
staff to expedite the community health educator program, under the
direction of Patricia O’Callaghan and Sister Margaret Katyoko.
|
Archbishop Thanks Holy Innocents and Supporters
|
June 20, 2008 - Ugandan Archbishop Paul Bakyenga came to
San Diego to thank HI volunteers and supporters for
helping fulfill his dream of building the first dedicated children’s hospital in Uganda.
In late 2006 Archbishop Paul asked for
help building this hospital. The
Archdiocese already operates two general hospitals and 18 clinics, but lacked
resources to build a new hospital for children.
Holy Innocents (a San Diego-based non-profit) was formed in early 2007
to answer Archbishop Paul’s request. Today
Phase 1 of Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital is under construction in
Mbarara,
Uganda, thanks to the local San Diego community,
service organizations, children’s foundations, faith-based organizations and
supporters from all over the world. (For reception photos, click
here.)
Rainy Season Brings Millions of Mosquito Bites
Mar. 2008 - Uganda’s spring rainy season is beginning, bringing with it
standing water that becomes the breeding ground for millions of
malaria-carrying mosquitoes. The need for prevention and treatment
is urgent! Help us build Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital to
serve the children of Mbarara, Uganda. Learn how you can help
here.
Holy Innocents Teams with Ryan’s Nets to Deliver Malaria-Preventing Mosquito Nets
Jan. 2008 - HI is teaming with Ryan’s Nets to deliver insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to Mbarara. Ryan’s Nets is the brainchild of a 13-year-old American boy who befriended HI President Bonaventure Turyomumazima, became concerned about the children of Mbarara, and decided to help.
Despite combating his own life-threatening illness, Ryan created Ryan’s Nets and asked friends to buy a net to save a life. Together with HI, Ryan’s efforts have enabled the purchase of over 1,000 nets to date. Click here to read a message from Ryan and buy a net from Ryan’s Nets.
Each net can protect several children against malaria-carrying mosquitoes, which generally bite in the late night or early morning hours, when children are sleeping.
Together with Ryan, we will deliver many more ITNs to Mbarara in the coming months. With your help, we can prevent thousands of life-threatening malaria infections.
|
Ugandan Catholic Archbishop Paul
Bakyenga speaks with guests at the June 19, 2008 reception in Rancho
Santa Fe, California
Hospital Groundbreaking Set for March 2008
Mar. 2008 - HI plans to break ground on the Children’s Hospital on March
30, 2008. The Archdiocese of Mbarara has donated a large building site in the Nyamitanga region of Mbarara, which has excellent access to community clean water and waste disposal, and is centrally located to serve a large community of patients in need.
Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital Site in Nyamitanga, Mbarara
Mbarara Chancellor Completes US Planning Trip
Jan. 2008 - Mbarara Archdiocese Chancellor and HI President Bonaventure Turyomumazima has recently completed a two-month trip to the US to confer with members of Holy Innocents’ executive staff and team and lay the groundwork for the construction of the hospital.
“Fr. B.,” as he is affectionately known, provided critical information regarding construction options, power requirements, staffing needs and prevention program logistics, and facilitated communication between HI in the US and the Ugandan planning team in Mbarara.
During his stay, Fr. B. worked tirelessly to communicate the plight of the children of Mbarara to service organizations, youth groups and the media. Fr. B’s efforts and commitment are playing a key role in the successful roll-out of the hospital. |
Fr. B.
|
|
| |
|
|
HI Appoints CFO
Sept. 1, 2007 – HI announced today the appointment of R. Lee Haney
as Chief Financial Officer.
Lee brings 27 years of experience in financial management to Holy
Innocents, including positions as CFO of San Diego Gas & Electric
from 1984 to 1993, and CFO of Orange & Rockland Utilities from 1994
through 1999. Lee will be responsible for managing the HI’s
accounting, banking and financial reporting activities.
Lee brings solid experience and credentials to their respective
positions, and we’re delighted to welcome him on board.
IRS Grants Holy Innocents Tax-Exempt Status:
June 1, 2007 - In May, 2007 the IRS granted HI tax-exempt
status under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Tax
Code. This means all donations to HI are tax-deductible.
Holy Innocents Completes First Medical Mission to Mbarara, Uganda
Apr. 1, 207 - In late March, 2007, HI sent its first medical
mission to Mbarara, Uganda, to assess local conditions and resources
and advise on logistics involved with the location, design and
construction of Holy Innocents Hospital. The mission consisted
of Dr. Anita Hunter, Associate Professor and Director of the RN-BS
and Master’s Entry Program into Nursing at the University of San
Diego, and six graduate nursing students.
The team spent a week carrying out the following activities:
•Identifying community strengths and challenges
•Evaluating what can be done locally to promote health and
prevent malaria
•Assessing the impact of the hospital on the local community
•Ascertaining the optimal location of the hospital
•Identifying factors to incorporate into the design and operation
of the hospital
•Exploring how to make the hospital self-sustaining over time.
The medical team found that Holy Innocents Children’s Malaria
Hospital will have a profoundly positive effect on the community.
The team strongly recommended moving forward with the project.
To read the medical mission’s blog,
click here.
|
Holy Innocents Announces Children Helping Children Initiative
Sept. 1, 2007 - When we explain the malaria problem in Uganda and what we’re doing, we often hear people say, “I’d like my children to get involved … Could their school help out?”
We like the idea of children from around the world helping children in Uganda. We’ve developed the Children Helping Children program to make that desire a reality.
We’re developing an information kit with a DVD that tells the story of Holy Innocents and provides everything you need to organize a fundraiser at your child’s school. To learn more or request a Children Helping Children kit, please contact info@holyinnocentsuganda.org.
The Southern Cross Profiles Holy Innocents
Aug. 16, 2007 – The Southern Cross, official newspaper of the Diocese of San Diego, CA, showcased HI in an article titled Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital in Uganda Fights the Scourge of Malaria. The newspaper interviewed HI Chairman Tom Thomas and President Bonaventure Turyomumazima and did an excellent job of encapsulating the problem of malaria in Mbarara and the efforts being undertaken by HI and its partner, the Archdiocese of Mbarara in Uganda. Read the article here.
Holy Innocents Children’s Art Contest
Mar. 5, 2007 We want Holy Innocents Children’s Malaria Hospital Uganda to be a welcoming environment for children undergoing treatment. We plan to display in the hospital artwork created by children from around the world that expresses friendship, encouragement and wishes for a speedy recovery.
We encourage schoolchildren to email photos of artwork they would like to have displayed at the hospital. We’ll select from among the best, post those images on our website, and arrange for the original artwork to be sent to the hospital for display. Send a photo of your artwork to info@holyinnocentsuganda.org.
|
|
