Shaping The Future

Shaping The Future

In a remote corner of Jinja, Uganda, lies the Wampa Orphanage—a place where approximately 30 children reside, each with their own unique story of hardship. Some have lost their parents, while others live separately from their families due to dire circumstances. The conditions in which these children live are far from ideal, with open and dilapidated bathrooms, overcrowded and inadequate sleeping arrangements, and a substandard cooking area. My recent visit to the Wampa Orphanage opened my eyes to the stark reality these children face daily, and it stirred a deep desire within me to make a positive difference in their lives.

The Wampa Orphanage is a place where dreams are stifled by the harshness of life. It is heart-wrenching to see children forced to use bathrooms without doors, in deplorable conditions that lack the most basic sanitation and privacy. To compound their struggles, some of these children have to share a single bed due to the limited resources available, leading to disrupted sleep and discomfort. The cooking area further accentuates their adversity, with negative conditions that impact their health and well-being.



Living in such dire circumstances can have profound and lasting effects on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of these children. Lack of proper sanitation facilities puts them at risk of diseases, while overcrowded sleeping arrangements deprive them of the rest they desperately need for healthy growth and development. The inadequate cooking area compromises their nutrition, making it even more challenging for them to thrive.

My visit to the Wampa Orphanage left a lasting impression on me, and I am committed to taking action to improve the lives of these children. While I cannot change their past, I firmly believe that together, we can shape their future for the better. Here are some ways in which we can make a meaningful difference:

Improving Sanitation: The first step is to renovate and upgrade the bathrooms and toilets, providing the children with clean and private facilities that promote good hygiene and health.

Enhancing Sleeping Conditions: We can work on securing donations or funding to provide more beds, mattresses, and bedding to ensure that each child has a comfortable and safe place to sleep.

Revamping the Cooking Area: The cooking area can be transformed into a clean and efficient space, ensuring that the children receive nutritious meals daily.

The Wampa Orphanage in Jinja, Uganda, is home to children who deserve a chance at a better life. Witnessing their challenging living conditions has ignited a passion within me to make a difference. Together, with the support of generous individuals and organizations, we can bring hope, comfort, and a brighter future to these children. Let us join hands and work towards transforming the Wampa Orphanage into a place where dreams are nurtured, and the children can flourish despite their challenging circumstances.

 

Yusuf Celik
Head of İnternational Program Manager

Transforming Lives: Building Water Wells in Africa

Transforming Lives: Building Water Wells in Africa

Access to clean water is a fundamental necessity for human life, yet millions of people around the world, particularly in Africa, still lack this primary resource. In many remote regions of the continent, communities struggle to obtain safe drinking water, leading to numerous health issues and hindering socio-economic development. Building water wells in Africa has proven to be a transformative solution, addressing immediate needs and creating a ripple effect of positive impacts on people’s lives. This blog post explores the significance of constructing water wells in Africa and the profound changes they bring to communities.

Alleviating Water Scarcity

Water scarcity is a pressing issue faced by many African communities. Traditional water sources such as rivers, ponds, or unprotected wells often harbour contaminants, making the water unfit for consumption. By building water wells, access to clean and safe water becomes a reality. These wells are strategically located to reach the maximum number of people within a community, reducing the distance and time spent collecting water and relieving the burden on women and children, who are typically responsible for water collection.

Promoting Health and Sanitation

Clean water is pivotal in promoting public health and reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases. Waterborne illnesses like diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid are prevalent in areas without access to safe water. Constructing water wells helps combat these diseases by providing a reliable source of clean water, significantly improving hygiene practices within communities. Access to water for proper hand washing, cooking, and personal hygiene prevents diseases and enhances overall well-being, especially for vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.

Enhancing Education Opportunities

The availability of clean water profoundly impacts education, particularly for young girls. In many parts of Africa, children, especially girls, are responsible for fetching water, often walking long distances to fulfil this essential task. The time spent collecting water compromises their ability to attend school regularly and perform well academically. Building water wells near schools ensures that children can access safe water throughout the day, eliminating the need to travel long distances. This positively influences school attendance and allows students, especially girls, to devote more time to their education.

Empowering Economic Growth

Water wells serve as catalysts for economic growth within communities. A readily available water source enhances agricultural productivity, allowing farmers to grow crops more efficiently and diversify their yields. Irrigation systems powered by water wells enable communities to cultivate even in dry seasons, thereby boosting food security. Additionally, surplus crops can be sold, generating income and entrepreneurship opportunities. Access to clean water also facilitates the establishment of small-scale businesses, such as laundry services, brick-making, and food processing, further driving economic development.

Fostering Community Development and Empowerment

The construction of water wells fosters community cohesion and empowerment. Often, local communities actively participate in the wells’ planning, construction, and maintenance, promoting ownership and sustainability. The collective effort strengthens social ties, encourages cooperation, and instils a sense of pride within the community. As communities gain control over their water resources, they become better equipped to address their future needs, leading to empowerment and resilience.

Conclusion

Building water wells in Africa is a powerful intervention that brings about transformative change in the lives of individuals and communities. Access to clean and safe water alleviates water scarcity, improves health, enhances education opportunities, stimulates economic growth, and fosters community development. These wells serve as a lifeline for communities, propelling them towards a brighter future with improved well-being and increased self-sufficiency. By investing in water infrastructure and supporting initiatives focused on water access, we can help build a more sustainable and equitable Africa where every person has the opportunity to thrive.

YK

Ladies’ Coffee Mornings: Building Community and Improving Mental Health

Ladies’ Coffee Mornings: Building Community and Improving Mental Health

At Time to Help UK, we believe in the power of community and connection. That’s why we’re excited to announce our latest initiative: ladies’ coffee mornings in temporary refugee hostels. These events bring together asylum seekers and our volunteers for a morning of arts and crafts, coffee, and snacks. But beyond just providing a fun and social activity, these coffee mornings significantly impact the mental health and sense of belonging of those who participate.

One of the most challenging aspects of being a refugee is feeling isolated and disconnected from one’s community. This can be especially true for women, who may face additional barriers to accessing resources and building connections. Our ladies’ coffee mornings provide a safe and welcoming space for women to come together and form friendships and support networks.

Participants in our coffee mornings reported feeling more connected to their community, hopeful about their future, and less isolated. One asylum seeker, Fatima*, shared, “I came to the coffee morning feeling very alone, but now I have made new friends and feel like I belong here.“

In addition to the social benefits, our coffee mornings also provide an opportunity for participants to engage in arts and crafts activities. These activities are known to positively affect mental health and well-being, as they offer a creative outlet for expressing emotions and promoting relaxation.

“It is so nice to come and do something creative; it helps me forget about my problems for a little while,” shared another participant, Rania*.

At Time to Help UK, we are committed to supporting asylum seekers’ mental health and well-being. We believe that building community and providing opportunities for connection, and self-expression are crucial components of this work. We are thrilled to see the positive impact of our ladies’ coffee mornings and look forward to continuing this initiative in the future.

Please consider supporting our cause by donating, volunteering or reaching out to us for more information.

*Not real names.

Exhibition in Exile finds refuge in Newcastle upon Tyne Church

An exhibition of immigration cartoons by renowned cartoonists who had to flee persecution in Turkey together with its organisers in 2016 found refuge in St James’ Benwell Church of Newcastle upon Tyne. Time to Help joined Human Rights Solidarity, GemArt, Comfrey Project and Being Woman as the organisers of the four days long exhibition.

A consortium of humanitarian aid, human rights, immigrant support organisations and a local church in Benwell are hosting an exhibition of cartoons on immigration, refugees and asylum seekers and the cynical response of the industrialised world to this emerging phenomenon. The exhibition is formed of cartoons that themselves had to flee Turkey in late 2016 when the organising humanitarian aid organisation Kimse Yok Mu (KYM), then a member of the UN’s ECOSOC, was taken over by the authoritarian regime in the country. Hence, the name Exhibition in Exile.

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Greece Refugee Food Pack Appeal

On this year’s Christmas evening, some people cannot spend their night with their families in their warm houses not only because of the pandemic that is escalating once again but because of them being compelled to flee their countries. They are the asylum seekers and refugees who we usually see for a minute on the main news channels, sometimes pass by without noticing on the street but often never feel their presence and witness their lives closely.

Refugees are forced to flee their homes due to wars, environmental pollution, natural disasters, scarce resources, hurricanes or floods caused by climate changes, pressure on freedom of expression, limitations on religious practices and ideas, and injustices. Regardless of how difficult it is, they are compelled to leave their families, loved ones, relatives and friends behind and immigrate to other countries.

Fleeing from floods, running away from bombs, escaping from the risk of being unjustly taken to prison under the silence of a whole nation, they could bring neither belonging nor a memory. All they could do was to run away from the cruel reality. They abandon their languages, cultures, traditions and customs in the quest for safety. Just like a newborn baby, they shoulder the burden of learning a new language, try hard to get to know a new country and its people, adapt to a foreign culture, acquire a new identity and build a life from scratch.

We thought about what we could do more for them during this time of the year. They were once, just like us, sitting around a table with all their family members in their beautiful warm houses. Why not gather them around a table this Christmas too?
When we dream, it is all you who help us to achieve it. This time, it was a dream beyond borders. A beautiful, magical dream has come true once again. Thinking of refugees far from us, Time to Help UK and its associations Time to Help Netherland, Belgium, France, Luxembourg have conducted a joint project with the Tuna Foundation’s hosting. On 11th December, 50 volunteers from the Time to Help fled to Bucharest, Romania to load a full cargo of food parcels.

The exciting and marvellous project reached £3,639, hitting higher than the target of £3,400 with donations from 52 donors. Each pack worth £42 included 40 packages of 31 different products from essentials to candies for kids. First stop at Salonica, the truck has arrived in Athens on Monday and distributed the parcels to the refugee families in Greece. Now, getting even more attention and support than the expectations, another truck will be sent again. We are proud of the donors and volunteers who made it possible with their enormous generosity and kindness.

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Packed Lunch for the Homeless in Westminster!

Homelessness had become omnipresent in Britain. According to the last Shelter report, at least 320,000 people are homeless, almost 5,000 are rough sleeping (likely to be a considerable underestimate), and 726 people died homeless in England and Wales in 2018 (a 22% rise from 2017). This year’s figure is not estimated to be less than in previous years.

At Time to Help, we believe, even a small help can make a massive difference in peoples lives. Therefore, We have decided to support Sant’Egidio (a registered charity in Central London) with their efforts to provide nutritious packed lunches with a warm smile. We have been preparing and delivering this service for three weeks now, and we want to do the same for at least two weeks more.

If you want to make a positive difference and have some spare time on Saturdays (between noon and 3 pm for preparation in Enfield and 4 pm to 6.45 pm for distribution in Westminster) please visit our volunteer’s page and fill the form to register your interest. if you want you can donate to this appeal via this link.

We are volunteering to help people in need; therefore, we will be exempt from social gathering restrictions according to the latest government guidelines[1] which says;

“At all 3 alert levels, whilst providing voluntary services:

you are exempt from social gathering restrictions you can travel within and between different local COVID alert level areas to volunteer
Within workplaces, the risk of transmission can be substantially reduced if COVID-19 secure guidelines are followed closely. (gov.uk)”

However, we will still make every reasonable effort to comply with the social distancing guidelines set out by the government (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable).

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely–2/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely#how-to-stay-safe-when-accepting-help-from-others
Facts about Lack of Clean Water Sources

In developed nations, i.e., countries that have everything from technology to luxury, getting clean water at home is as ‘natural’ as breathing fresh air. It is something that most people from advanced countries may not particularly pay attention to, but this is not the case for the rest of the world. There are still many nations that do not have access to clean water sources or water that is fit for human consumption. Here are some shocking facts about water access around the world:

Approximately 2.1 billion people all over the world still are unable to access safe water sources within their home
In New York, USA, 8.3 million people were exposed to water contaminants in their drinking water that included viruses and various kinds of bacteria
Since 2015, more than 63 million people in India alone have consumed water from unsafe sources
In sub-Saharan Africa alone more than half of the population drink water that comes from ‘dangerous’ resources, like surface water. Approximately 102 million people are drinking surface water
In many provinces of South Africa, water is sometimes unavailable for two whole days. This happens approximately 60% of the time.
In Nepal, 91% of the population is drinking water from sources that contain E-coli, a fecal bacteria that can lead to many diseases including bacterial (stomach) infections.
5 Reasons Why Everyone Deserves Clean Drinking Water

According to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, “Safe water, sanitation and hygiene at home should not be a privilege of only those who are rich or live in urban centers. These are some of the most basic requirements for human health, and all countries have a responsibility to ensure that everyone can access them.”

Sadly, clean water is still inaccessible for many and will remain that way until governments are willing to take a stand. Here are five reasons why everyone needs access to clean drinking water and safely managed sanitation, right at home.

1. Provides Nourishment

Water is life. The sooner those in power understand this, the sooner this law of water being available to everyone can be implemented. Water is the number one source of nutrition. The human body is made of 60% water, and this is a clear enough indication of the importance of water. Humans need to be adequately hydrated for their physiological systems to function. Additionally, water helps maintain organ health and allows the blood to maintain the consistency it requires to flow freely and transport oxygen and nutrients to every cell of the body.

2. The Prevention of Diseases

Did you know that if people are unable to drink safe and clean water, it gives rise to various kinds of diseases? Fatal medical conditions like cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A all occur because of the consumption and or the presence of contaminated water. Imagine the risks that people are exposed to when the only thing they can drink is water that comes from sewage and contaminated sites like industries. Clean water is essential not only to remain safe from disease but also to maintain good health.

3. Helps in Getting Rid of Toxins

Clean, fresh and safe water also helps in getting the body rid of all kinds of toxins, whether they are created due to bodily reactions, obtained from outside sources or ones that occur because of the consumption of contaminated water.

4. Needed for Agriculture and Food Production

When it comes to the production of food, clean water is an essential ingredient. If the crops and grains are given contaminated water, the bacteria and disease will spread to those who consume the fresh produce. Therefore, water that is used for agriculture must also come from safe and clean resources.

5. Improved Sanitation Facilities

Clean water is not just needed for drinking but for sanitation purposes as well. If clothes are washed, or the body is washed with contaminated water, this too will result in the rise of diseases. Same is the case for cooking, cleaning and other similar tasks that are an integral part of our lives. Clean water is necessary for good health.

Source: http://www.aidforum.org/topics/health-and-wash/5-reasons-why-everyone-needs-clean-drinking-water/

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Why Everyone Needs Clean Drinking Water?

Science clearly states that a human being can survive three weeks without food, but where water is concerned most people can’t go on 3-4 days without it! Dehydration sets in, and even if the person continues to breathe, they will go into shock and become vegetative. In other words, water is the primary necessity. Without it, a living being simply cannot survive. Yet, it is a horrific fact that there are billions of people around the world who do not have access to clean drinking water.

Facts about Lack of Clean Water Sources

In developed nations, i.e., countries that have everything from technology to luxury, getting clean water at home is as ‘natural’ as breathing fresh air. It is something that most people from advanced countries may not particularly pay attention to, but this is not the case for the rest of the world. There are still many nations that do not have access to clean water sources or water that is fit for human consumption. Here are some shocking facts about water access around the world:

Approximately 2.1 billion people all over the world still are unable to access safe water sources within their home
In New York, USA, 8.3 million people were exposed to water contaminants in their drinking water that included viruses and various kinds of bacteria
Since 2015, more than 63 million people in India alone have consumed water from unsafe sources
In sub-Saharan Africa alone more than half of the population drink water that comes from ‘dangerous’ resources, like surface water. Approximately 102 million people are drinking surface water
In many provinces of South Africa, water is sometimes unavailable for two whole days. This happens approximately 60% of the time.
In Nepal, 91% of the population is drinking water from sources that contain E-coli, a fecal bacteria that can lead to many diseases including bacterial (stomach) infections.
5 Reasons Why Everyone Deserves Clean Drinking Water

According to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, “Safe water, sanitation and hygiene at home should not be a privilege of only those who are rich or live in urban centers. These are some of the most basic requirements for human health, and all countries have a responsibility to ensure that everyone can access them.”

Sadly, clean water is still inaccessible for many and will remain that way until governments are willing to take a stand. Here are five reasons why everyone needs access to clean drinking water and safely managed sanitation, right at home.

1. Provides Nourishment

Water is life. The sooner those in power understand this, the sooner this law of water being available to everyone can be implemented. Water is the number one source of nutrition. The human body is made of 60% water, and this is a clear enough indication of the importance of water. Humans need to be adequately hydrated for their physiological systems to function. Additionally, water helps maintain organ health and allows the blood to maintain the consistency it requires to flow freely and transport oxygen and nutrients to every cell of the body.

2. The Prevention of Diseases

Did you know that if people are unable to drink safe and clean water, it gives rise to various kinds of diseases? Fatal medical conditions like cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A all occur because of the consumption and or the presence of contaminated water. Imagine the risks that people are exposed to when the only thing they can drink is water that comes from sewage and contaminated sites like industries. Clean water is essential not only to remain safe from disease but also to maintain good health.

3. Helps in Getting Rid of Toxins

Clean, fresh and safe water also helps in getting the body rid of all kinds of toxins, whether they are created due to bodily reactions, obtained from outside sources or ones that occur because of the consumption of contaminated water.

4. Needed for Agriculture and Food Production

When it comes to the production of food, clean water is an essential ingredient. If the crops and grains are given contaminated water, the bacteria and disease will spread to those who consume the fresh produce. Therefore, water that is used for agriculture must also come from safe and clean resources.

5. Improved Sanitation Facilities

Clean water is not just needed for drinking but for sanitation purposes as well. If clothes are washed, or the body is washed with contaminated water, this too will result in the rise of diseases. Same is the case for cooking, cleaning and other similar tasks that are an integral part of our lives. Clean water is necessary for good health.

Source: http://www.aidforum.org/topics/health-and-wash/5-reasons-why-everyone-needs-clean-drinking-water/

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Why so many people struggle to access clean water?

It seems incredible that it’s 2021 and there’s still 773 million people around the world who don’t have access to clean water — a basic human right that no one can live without.

Four reasons why people don’t have access to clean water:
1.) Lack of infrastructure and poor management of services.

Efforts have been made to reach more people with more water. However governments need to do more in ensuring water supplies are sustainable and commit to improving infrastructure.

2.) Poverty and inequality

Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene are a basic human right and yet some people are still unable to access these services due to their ethnicity, gender, social status, disability or inability to afford the high costs.

3.) Climate change

Climate change and an increase in unpredictable and extreme weather is a growing challenge. Long periods of drought affect clean water supplies while flooding can pollute clean water sources and cause outbreaks of disease.

4.) Population increase

The world’s population is predicted to grow to 8.5 billion by 2030 and 9.7 billion by 2050. This is going to create a high demand and put a strain on already scarce and fragile water sources.

Can you imagine living without water? No, because that would be impossible. Here’s what happens when your water source is insecure and unsafe.

Three ways a lack of access to clean water impacts on the poor:
1.) Women and Girls

In many communities girls are tasked with collecting the households water. If supplies are scarce or the community is isolated it means girls are spending hours of their day to walk great distances to collect water from streams, rivers and unprotected wells. This means less time for paid work and going to school.

2.) Livelihood

Rural communities who rely on farming for their livelihoods are the most vulnerable to climate change and water shortages. Increased temperatures, changes in season, and prolonged dry spells affect crops and livestock and therefore a person’s ability to earn a living.

3.) Health

As the effects of climate change and rising temperatures increase, so does the prevalence of waterborne diseases such as cholera and trachoma. The World Health Organisation also warns that incidences of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue will also rise. Another impact of unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene is malnutrition. In fact up to 50% of malnutrition cases are said to be a result of this.

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Homeless Breakfast

You may think breakfast is not a luxury as you have the chance to have it every day with your family and friends but for many people, having a hot breakfast is the most luxurious event of the day since they do not have the chance.

We open our doors every Monday to serve a hot breakfast to the needy people. We are determined to continue this project as long as we have all the resources.

So far, we were able to provide hot breakfast to more than thirty people (overall) every week but the number is increasing, and we need more donations and more volunteers. We will ensure that there is always a designated staff to supervise/assist. If you are over 16 and would like to make a difference within the community, please join our team. Your help will give homeless men & women a hope along with a full plate of hot breakfast.

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Free OET classes for Refugee Doctors

At Time to Help, we believe refugee doctors make a valuable contribution to the delivery of healthcare services in the UK. That’s why we have decided to launch a new service to help refugee doctor to achieve their best.

We will provide a structured programme of support to enable refugee and asylum seekers healthcare professionals and their families to be settled into local communities, enter clinical practice and maintain and develop their skills. The programme will include OET and IELTS classes delivered by qualified tutors and TTH UK will also provide reasonable financial assistance towards English and PLAB exams and other registration associated costs.

We will support:

doctors and dentists
pharmacists and biomedical scientists
allied health professionals eg physiotherapists and radiologists
For a start, we will deliver 2 hours per day and 2 days per week course for fifteen weeks. You will receive more information after being granted for the course.

This course is for refugees and asylum seekers, but if you believe you are coming from a disadvantaged background and need help, please fill the form below.

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