Small gifts, mighty impact: East Africa essentials

Across Uganda’s refugee settlements, the situation is worsening. Food rations have been slashed even further, staffing is shrinking, and over 1 million refugees are now at heightened risk. With many families surviving on less than $1 a day, and international aid rapidly declining, Hope Health Action’s agriculture and livelihoods work is more vital than ever.

During a recent visit to Palorinya Refugee Settlement, HHA CEO Carwyn Hill met with our local nutrition team. There, he witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of these aid cuts—but also the profound hope that your support is making possible.

One of the most striking moments came when 100 refugee families received toolkits, each centred around something as simple as a wheelbarrow. These weren’t just tools—they were lifelines. One father proudly showed off his field of 800 cabbages, cultivated using HHA supplied seeds and equipment. That harvest will earn him over £475—a transformational amount for his family.

While seeds and tools are central to this programme, many other items are needed to keep it running effectively. Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to provide essential resources for the nutrition team like solar phone chargers for reliable communication, and boots for field-based training—seemingly small items that make a big difference.

In a context where larger aid efforts are retreating, these contributions help build self-sufficiency, dignity, and hope. With over 100 acres of farmland supported by HHA, every item you donate - no matter how small - it helps us sustain this pioneering work. One refugee father said:

“Before I was introduced to HHA, it felt like I was walking through a desert… Now I have something to show for my efforts.”

Your ongoing generosity means we can continue to equip families with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to thrive—even in the face of crisis. Thank you for helping us bring hope, one vital item at a time.

In the heart of a busy refugee settlement in Uganda, Safi, a 45-year-old South Sudanese refugee, walked into our centre with quiet determination. Years ago, as a former army commander, he was forced to amputate his own leg after being shot. He survived two months alone in the bush, and though his leg healed, his life changed dramatically.

The prosthetic he eventually received was far from ideal: painfully heavy, poorly fitted, and so loose he had to wear 35 socks just to keep it in place. Every step was a challenge.

When Safi arrived at our rehabilitation centre, our local team worked with care and precision to create a new, custom-made prosthetic limb just for him. Made right in our own workshop, the new limb weighs less than a third of his old one, and most importantly, it fits. No more layers of socks, no more daily discomfort. Just dignity, comfort, and a new sense of freedom.

This transformation was only possible thanks to supporters like you. The 'shopping list' items you help us purchase - like safety goggles for our workshop, diaries to plan appointments, overalls and tools for adjustments - may seem small, but they come together to make moments like Safi’s possible.

Every item plays a role in improving lives. Thank you for making these small but mighty gifts possible.