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Supporting vulnerable children and their communities in Northern Uganda

In 2006, Sandra Murphy, a mother and grandmother from Higham Ferrers, took a trip as a volunteer to chaos-torn Uganda and witnessed scenes she would never forget. As a result, she swore she would return one day to help support the many, many vulnerable children and women she had met during her trip. For the next two years Sandra fundraised relentlessly and, in 2008, she returned to Uganda to realise her dream having set up ‘One-Step-At-A-Time’. OSAAT helps support vulnerable groups including street children, AIDS sufferers, orphans of war and those affected by poverty or domestic violence. The charity now has a permanent site in Lira, Uganda, employs four full-time staff and supports over 85 children, who have been living on
the street or in dire poverty.

Sponsorship money allows the charity to put children back in school or in training, give them counselling, deal with health issues and teach them life skills. OSAAT shows them how to farm goats, turkeys and chickens for food, as well as how to clean the water they use. They have been given mosquito nets and, in some cases, mud huts have been built for them to live in with their families. The charity has also worked with local organisations to rehabilitate over 30 street children, many of whom have been reunited with their families. Many older children have been sponsored through vocational training, allowing them to gain qualifications that they can then use to earn a living and support themselves in the future. The aim of the OSAAT is to not just throw money at people, but to create something sustainable and find ways to help them help themselves and give them hope.

Sandra now spends up to six months out in Uganda each year and the rest of the time back in the UK fundraising for the charity and raising its awareness. The amazing thing about OSAAT is how personable it is. For example, if you decide to purchase an item off the ‘Sustainable Life’ gift list (see the website below) such as a pack of seeds or a mango tree plant, you will be sent a photo of the individual receiving that gift in Uganda. What is more, all those involved in the charity in the UK do so voluntarily so every penny received from donators/
fundraisers/sponsors goes directly to those that need it most in Uganda. Even Sandra pays for her flight out to Uganda each time from her own personal savings, as well as all her own food and water while she is in Uganda.

How You Can Help

So many of us are looking for a chance to make a difference. There are several ways in which you can help and they make a great Mother’s Day present too!

• Sponsor a child or family to help them escape poverty
• Purchase ‘Sustainable Life’ gifts from the Gift List
• Make a regular donation to support the longevity of the charity
• Gift Aid any donations made
• Send ‘Essential Items’ to the registered post box in Uganda
• Help with fundraising events or hold your own
• Become a member of OSAAT to receive regular updates and information on their work
• Volunteer your skills or time to help in Northern Uganda
• Become a trustee of the charity

For further information, please visit:
www.one-step-at-a-time.org.uk
visit us on Facebook or email :
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Registered Charity Number: 1127562