Today, I received an email from my good friend, Kimmie Weeks, the founder of Youth Action International. You may have read about him in our magazine last summer, as his organization assists children in need all over the world. As a child's rights activist, he recently spoke at my children’s school in Chicago and his inspiring words touched the children’s hearts!

Below, you can read an excerpt (with his permission) from his letter. If you feel moved, please click on the link below to assist Kimmie to come to the aid for some very needy children (and their families) this holiday season!

“I am writing today with a very urgent and very desperate appeal on behalf of the people of Karamojong who are displaced in Kampala, Uganda.  The Karamajongs are nomadic pastoralists who have been driven from their lands are are now forced to live in the slums of Uganda.  Their only source of income now is to send their children on the streets to beg for food. We (Youth Action International) drive through Kampala and there are literally hundreds of children, some barely a few months old sitting in the streets begging.   When we went to the slums where the Kalamajongs live, we were even more shocked and appalled.There was an outbreak of cholera, malaria, and other infectious diseases. We visited the camp on Monday and I committed to sending 40 of the sickest children to the hospital on Wednesday (after camp leaders could prepare a list). By Tuesday, a baby who was less than a year had succumbed to disease.   The cost of sending the child to hospital would have been around $40.   The conditions are a state of humanitarian catastrophe yet, NOT ONE other organization have come to the aid of the Karamojongs even as they suffer and die.   

There is precise action that can be taken to help the people sustain themselves. The Karamajongs need about 10 acres to resettle 1000 adults and 700 children.    The land would allow them the opportunity to grow food as they've done for centuries. They can't return to their original homeland because troops have committed atrocities against them and their land is now too arid for agriculture.

Youth Action International is highlighting the situation as a humanitarian emergency.   We are sending 40 children to hospitals immediately, have identified lands to resettle the Karamajongs on, and I'm using my status and visibility to pressure both the government and aid agencies to take action in supporting the Karamajongs.   The next few days are crucial to our ability to help.   We will spend about $2,000 for the emergency medical, $20,000 for emergency resettlement (building latrines, an emergency clinic, food), and approximately $30,000 to provide resources for the Karamajongs to start farming again.  

I know you have been a long time supporter of our work and would not ask for additional support if the magnitude of the situation did not warrant it. I am requesting that you open your hearts and extend a helping hand to the Karamajongs. We cannot do it without your support

With Love.

Kimmie

(I just clicked on the secure link below and donated to Kimmie's Urgent efforts this weekend!) If you feel moved, click below or pay it forward to others that may be interested, too. (Be sure to donate to YOUTH ACTION INTERNATIONAL to  make sure the funds are correctly routed)

http://www.networkforgood.org/SearchResults/ConsolidatedSearchResults.aspx

 Mr. Kimmie L. Weeks
Executive Director
Youth Action International
535 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001

Tel. (646) 274-1366
Fax (646) 514-1242
Cell: (413) 222-1192

http://www.peaceforkids.org

Peach on Earth,

Beth Aldrich