Nachan Newsletter // Updates from the week of July 30th, 2020

Beloved Humans,

We have recently learned that a member of the Nachan women’s group, Lucia Nakorat,  has passed away leaving 6 year old twin daughters, Loy Babirye and Sara Nakato.

Through your donations we were able to provide help for her burial as well as money for her husband, Ivan “Elijah” Ssentongo, who is crippled, to pay rent arrears, 3 months future rent and food for the next month. We have also been able to offer him aide in building his cobbling business so that he can support his daughters.

I was fortunate to spend time with the family on my last trip in January and am very saddened to hear this news.

The slums are very dangerous and we worry that the girls may be at risk for trafficking. As of now, Ivan’s sister has been able to stay with them but we don’t know for how long.

Three children are missing from the slums and the Nachan team is doing their best to investigate but it is difficult as the local police have very little concern for the people of Katwe. Sex trafficking is common and human sacrifice is not unheard of.

We are saddened to report as well that a 3 year old boy, Jeremiah Kwalo, son to another Nachan member, Agnes Kwalo, has died. Initial reports led us to believe it was Typhoid but we have since learned he was poisoned by a rival of Agnes’ who flung hot soup on her. I was able to visit with Alice when this happened and she received care for her 2nd degree burns through our support.

I share this news not to shock or terrify, although it is shocking and terrifying, but because this is life in the slums. This is their reality.

The woman who harmed her and may have poisoned her son is most likely suffering from severe mental health issues. We must not forget this. We must not forget that suffering creates more suffering. We must have compassion for all so that the suffering ends.

The Nachan Project is deeply invested in helping to offer the women and children of the Katwe slums the skills they need to regulate their nervous systems as a result of Continuous Traumatic Stress, find and secure jobs and send their children to school so that the cycles of suffering have a possibility of ending.

Unfortunately because of Covid-19 we have been unable to return and offer group mind-body practices. The Nachan Project is now focused on humanitarian aid and offering social distanced individual psycho-social support through our team on the ground. This support includes grounding practices and very importantly, being Seen and Heard.

We will be launching a bigger campaign for much needed resources and funding so that the women and children of the slums can Survive. Food, masks and sanitizers are an on-going need.

I am deeply grateful for All of the help, thoughts, prayers, donations and kind hearts already given.

You have helped others who have so very little. Please allow your mind to settle into the kindness of your heart. Let your kindness fuel you especially in a world where kindness is much needed.