Floods in 2007 had severely damaged Meeting Point’s community center where they serve 3,000 clients affected by HIV. Because of so many generous donations, Meeting Point was able to build the foundation for their new community center. Although we came just short of our $20,000 fundraising goal, they were able to stretch the funds to finish the foundation.
The way it was built speaks to how much their members feel a part of their organization.
Meeting Point gathered their members to explain that they had received funding from us for a new building and had been given land by the Catholic diocese. They asked members to volunteer a few hours of time to clear the land to help with the building and to stretch their funding as far as possible. They asked all to contribute whatever time they could to help the following day. The next morning the Meeting Point staff showed up before 7am to find hundreds of volunteers waiting on the land with their garden hoes. They were so many in number that the staff had to ask some to go home and come back the next day!
These are people who are so often seen as victims of HIV/AIDS and as recipients of help. But Meeting Point treats them as members—as people who are a part of their community.
Ketty proudly showed off the foundation when I visited recently. “It’s solid. And we don’t have to worry about floods here.” Floods in 2007 forced them to evacuate their community center, although they moved back in after the floods and continue to operate there until the new building is finished. (See the original story in the blog section.) A retired Meeting Point worker was there as a volunteer to watch over the construction, “I just want to to make sure it all goes just right,” he told me.
We originally aimed to raise the money just for the foundation and thanks to generous donations, we met that goal! We are now inspired by Meeting Point and their members who are so invested in this place and in their community. So, we are asking for $65,000 more to help them complete the building. Please give whatever you can. Every dollar counts.
Those interested in supporting Meeting Point's operating costs should contact them directly at meetingpoint.kitgum@yahoo.com.