Could this be your starfish?

Story by Loren Eisley

One day, an old man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As he walked he came upon a young boy who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one.

Puzzled, the man looked at the boy and asked what he was doing. Without looking up from his task, the boy simply replied, “I’m saving these starfish, Sir”.

The old man chuckled aloud, “Son, there are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?”

The boy picked up a starfish, gently tossed it into the water and turning to the man, said, “I made a difference to that one!”

In these new and troubling times we are all uncertain about the future. The situation in Customs, Bwera and Kasese for many families is dire. These people are our friends. Living in the towns is hand to mouth. In this current global corona crisis markets in Kasese, Customs and Bwera are closed. All businesses are closed down so people are not able to earn money. The only food available is from the few food shops that are open and if you have no money you cannot buy food. Families are going hungry in lockdown.

Please help the locally based Amaha We Uganda Team to provide urgently needed food parcels through William’s church in Customs and the Amaha We Uganda office in Uganda. These food parcels will provide the most basic of ingredients to feed a family one meal daily- that is cassava, maize flour and beans. They will also send soap so people can wash their hands. The street children we work with will also receive this immediately urgent help.

We must also think ahead. No farming now means no food next season. There is no shortage of water at the moment because the rains have come. People need to be planting now, not only their cash crops but also subsistence crops of cassava, beans and kitchen gardens. We must avoid a future food crisis. If we don't do something now there will be famine in the developing world.

We have started by sending out a first payment today (22nd April) from our very limited reserves, which William will co-ordinate and report on.

We know that there are many demands on us to give financially to a huge number of deserving causes- all those starfish on the beach.

We are asking you if this could be your starfish?

If so please give by clicking on the word DONATE. Thank you