In the verdant hills of Ntungamo District, Uganda, a silent battle rage beyond the bustling markets and fertile farmlands, communities grapple with the persistent shadow of HIV/AIDS. For years, this challenge has been met with fear, stigma, and a lack of accessible resources. But in the heart of this struggle, a beacon of hope shines brightly: the Mumwe Heart of God Foundation. We are on the front lines, dedicated to preventing new infections and supporting those living with HIV, but we cannot do it alone.

The challenge in Ntungamo is multifaceted. Pervasive stigma prevents individuals from getting tested, seeking treatment, or even speaking openly about their status. Many remote villages are information deserts, where myths about HIV transmission flourish, and accurate, life-saving knowledge is scarce. Economic vulnerability, particularly among young women and girls, creates a high-risk environment where transactional sex can become a survival strategy, fueling the cycle of infection. Without a concerted, community-led effort, the virus continues to threaten the health and future of our families.

Mumwe’s Involvement:

This is where the Mumwe Heart of God Foundation steps in. Our approach is holistic, compassionate, and deeply rooted in the communities we serve. We believe that change begins with education and empowerment and our dedicated team of community health volunteers mobilizes door-to-door, in schools, and at local gathering places to conduct sensitization campaigns. We dispel dangerous myths, demonstrate correct condom use, and promote abstinence and faithfulness as key pillars of prevention. We create safe spaces for open dialogue, breaking the chains of stigma one conversation at a time.

Prevention is only one side of the coin then; Control and care are equally critical. The Foundation partners with local health facilities to conduct free, confidential HIV testing and counseling events, bringing services directly to the people. For those who test positive, we offer a lifeline of support whereby our adherence counseling programs ensure individuals understand the importance of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and stay on their medication, leading to viral suppression and healthier, longer lives.

We facilitate peer support groups, where people living with HIV can share their experiences, encourage one another, and reclaim their dignity. We have seen the transformation firsthand; individuals who once hid in shame are now powerful community advocates, sharing their testimonies to inspire others.

The impacts of the process:

The impact of our work is real and measurable. Last year alone, we reached over 8,000 individuals with prevention messages, tested more than 2,500 people, and currently support over 150 families through our care programs. Young people like 19-year-old Brian, who learned his status through one of our school outreach programs, are now on treatment and thriving, mentoring his peers. Mothers like Sarah, who feared she would not live to see her children grow, are now virally suppressed and running a small business thanks to our empowerment training.

However, the need is immense, and our resources are stretched thin because every day, we turn people away not because we want to, but because we lack the test kits, the educational materials, and the nutritional supplements to support them, this is where we need your help.

Your donation is not just a gift; it is an investment in a healthier, brighter future for Ntungamo.

A donation of $25 can provide 10 home-based HIV test kits, allowing us to reach more people in remote areas.

$50 can supply a month’s worth of educational materials for a school outreach program, empowering hundreds of youth with knowledge to protect themselves.

$100 can provide essential nutritional support for five people living with HIV for a month, strengthening their bodies to respond to treatment.

A larger gift of $500 can help us facilitate a community-wide testing and counseling event, potentially identifying dozens of new cases and linking them to life-saving care. The Mumwe Heart of God Foundation is powered by the passion of our community and the generosity of partners like you.

We are turning the tide against HIV in Ntungamo, but we need your support to accelerate our progress. Please, join us in this fight. Visit our website @mumwefoundation.org or call +256700135510 to make a secure donation today. Together, we can create an HIV-free generation in Ntungamo, one heart, one family, one community at a time.