Thanks to a group of Canadian doctors and nurses, the people of northern Uganda have had access to better medical care for the past few years.
Apwoyo (Greetings) Gulu Friends was formed in 2011 with the goal of raising funds to be used towards providing education, medical and surgical supplies and equipment for the Lacor St. Mary’s Hospital in Gulu, the largest hospital in northern Uganda, with 474 beds funded mostly by charitable donations from the Corti Foundation.
In association with CNIS (Canadian Network for International Surgery), Canadian doctors and nurses have been teaching and working at the hospital in Gulu for the past few years. Their mission is to return yearly to teach peri-operative nursing skills to Ugandan nurses. Dr. Ghee Hwang of Vernon has been teaching surgical skills to the surgical residents, medical students and hospital staff, as well as offering his own skills to the surgical program since 2008.
The second annual fundraiser for the organization takes place Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Schubert Centre in Vernon, with dinner tickets $30 each or $240 per table of eight. A slide show will be presented featuring St. Mary’s Hospital and the surrounding countryside. Entertainment will be provided throughout the evening.
Sponsorship and donations are tax-deductible, and donations and items for the silent auction are welcome. For tickets, please call Ronda Furlan at 250-549-2898 or Teresa Hwang at 250-549-1356.
