My involvement and observations
For several years I have been committed to supporting a small but dedicated team of 'minority community' workers operating from the town of Lugazi but serving minority communities mostly in northeastern regional and rural Uganda. The term minority communities is used because many of the individuals who benefit from the work of Human Rights and Economic Empowerment Develoopment are affected by discrimination, prejudice and colonial-era laws regarding personal behaviour. I live in Queensland, Ausralia. I became a donor to HUREED as I learned more and more over time about the incredible hands-on work they undertake. HUREED receives VERY LITTLE SUPPORT from individuals, governments or international welfare/aid providers. HUREED's primary work is providing para-legal support to people who find themselves on the wrong side of the law or without power in an administrative and social system that categorizes them as criminal and unworthy. Much of HUREED emergency work involves responding to violence. be it homophobic or violence against women including trans women. Many women perform sex work in order to survive. Although the HUREED team do not categorise their work as self-esteem building or personal empowerment as it might be in western countries these outcomes often arise from the organisation's individual or community services. As well, senior staff undertake a great deal of community and leadership education. HUREED also delivers useful low-level health enhancement and referral programs. These are focused on HIV prevention and treatment, sexual health, COVID awareness, malaria control, good parenting and family support for women with young children ( many single mothers).

Sad history
HUREED seems to fall between the cracks when it comes to grants and significant programs which provide adequate funding to conduct a surprisingly efficient and useful grass roots community operation. HUREED provides services free of charge. It rarely receives donations or even payment for truly beneficial outcomes for its clients. It somehow funds several shelter beds, emergency food for homeless people and transport and maintenance (food and pharmacy costs) for people who have been seriously injured in machete ( usually on gay men) or acid attakcs ( usually on women).

HUREED's URGENT NEED
HUREED urgently requires financial support of about US$1,500 each month so that it can operate on a secure financial basis. In addition to legitimate accommodation, administration and service provision costs, this amount will cover the occasional unbudgeted welfare demands the organisation encounters. Donors who can make significant one-off donations or those who can make regular small contributions are very welcome. HUREED has a website. hureed.org, which provides information about it's operations. I am happy to provide confident testimony based on very regular contact over time, numerous hard copy reports, and external verification evidencing the honesty and integrity of the management team.

Bill Rutkin OAM
Australia.
email: [email protected]