My Friend Fred

Below is an email you will find that I sent out to some family and friends this morning.  I ask that you take the time to read.

Hey Friends,

Something unfortunate has happened in Peace Corps Uganda and we need your help.

Before I continue, let me share a thought…

It absolutely drives me crazy when people in Uganda assume that I have extra money that I will freely give them because I am an American munu, also known as a white person. 

 “Munu, give me money.”

“Munu, money!  Munu, money!  Munu, money!”  

“ Eh!  But you have money.  You first give me some.”

And this all happens as kids tug at my skirt with sad puppy dog eyes.

Well, here I am asking for you to do the same for Peace Corps Uganda. 

I know that you have yet to travel to The Pearl so I am asking you to donate money to a person in a place that chances are, you may never make it to.

This is where I need your faith.

Fred Kiyingi is the Safety and Security Officer for Peace Corps Uganda and has been for 15 years. 

He is incredible. 

And supportive. 

And a huge advocate for Volunteers.

And will come to our rescue in any situation we might find ourselves in. 

Another story.  Back in July 2012 when Peace Corps Uganda let us Volunteers venture out on our own for our Future Site Visits I had a terrible travel day.  I was stranded in the middle of a bustling taxi park waiting for a 14-person matatu to fill for hours.  I was being poked and prodded from the windows all the while drunken men shouted obscene harassments and crowded around to see the white girl.  Fred was in contact with the taxi driver, even requesting him to remove all the bystanders or else he’d contact the authorities, which he's legitimately do and has done.  He was constantly calling to check in with me and ended up coming to pick me up in the air-conditioned PC vehicle to take me to a guesthouse for the night.

It was so comforting to know that us Volunteers had someone who was willing to go to such extent for our wellbeing.

Now the last time I saw Fred was back in December when I was at the office in Kampala.  I noticed he was not his usual self… He was much more quiet and his eyes, which usually were vibrant with life, were jaundiced. 

I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. 

I kept a positive attitude and after I helped him finish a couple emails I gave him a hug, only to feel how much he had shrunk in size.

Soon thereafter an email was released saying Fred was sick.  Really, really sick.  He needed to go to India immediately.  Both current and Returned Volunteers came together with the help of family and friends to raise the funds to send him there.

Well upon returning back home nothing new was discovered.  He continued to go for tests in Kampala and it was found out that he has been diagnosed with Hepato-Biliary Cirrhosis, and is in need of a liver transplant, which at this point will most likely come from his son.  Throughout the process of his diagnosis and proposed treatment Peace Corps Uganda has reached out to Embassy personnel, friends and family to raise money through the Federal Emergency and Education Association.  Currently the hospital where Fred is being treated has provided ongoing care and services at no charge while the funds are being gathered. 

We need an additional 40,000USD to complete his treatment.

Our plan? 

Family and friends.

Whether you have 4USD or 40USD, anything is appreciated.  By taking this simple action we can give the thanks and gratitude to a person who has helped so many others in their times of need.

Time is of the essence, as 10,000USD of funding for Fred’s procedures must be raised by the end of Friday, February 21st!  So far 2,000USD has been collected.

Additional funds will have to be identified but the immediate concern is the 10,000USD.

To donate, please visit: www.feea.org/GivePeaceCorps

You will fill in your respective information.  

When you get to the line “In Honor/Memory of”, fill in Kiyingi Fredrick and Darlic Janet Natukunda.  

On the next line you will select, Honor.  

The agency is Peace Corps. 

Each day we are blessed with new opportunities, which in some cases bring lifelong friends.  For me this opportunity is Peace Corps and this friend is Fred.

One last story.  In December 2012 was my first Camp GLOW.  When we were checking in the campers I noticed this young girl who looked just like someone I knew.  Of course… It was Fred’s daughter.  Throughout camp she was outstanding… She was active in all the sessions and activities, supportive of all the campers and was someone with such a bright outlook on life.  On the last day as the buses took the girls back home, I noticed a man walking in the school gate to pick up his daughter.  He saw her from behind and began to run towards her, at which time I nodded at her to look around.  It was Fred.  The smiles were contagious and as he got closer he picked her up and swung her around like no one was watching. 

Little did he know, we were all watching.

I ask that even at the distance that separates you and me, and therefore you and Fred, that you put this aside.  Know that the smile I just mentioned is the one he will be sending you from his hospital room.

Sending lots of love from Africa,

Tara 

Please share this email with everyone you know.  I understand these emails sometimes find themselves in the trash folder without ever being read.  Please give this one a chance.  

The deadline is coming quickly and while I tried to find out what will happen in the event the money is not raised, I failed to reach anyone. 

Here is what I hope to be true. 

The money will be used to continue to help him improve his physical health, slowly by slowly, here in Uganda.

Here is what I know to be true.

It will most definitely help with the emotional and mental health of his family and the Peace Corps Uganda community.