HELPING restore hope among children and women in disease and war ravaged Uganda has become an overwhelming commitment of registered nurse Diane Viset.
She first took part in aid work in the Ugandan capital Kampala more than two years ago and has been intent on a return visit ever since.
The Bowral mother of three was part of a team from the Bowral Christian City Church who helped build an orphanage in Kampala in January 2008.
It was a journey that saw Mrs Viset see first-hand the struggles of many people battling to survive AIDS, malnutrition and many other diseases including thousands of orphaned babies and children.
Mrs Viset was so moved by what she saw she was determined to return to the developing country where she could put her nurse training to “good use”.
She has also inspired friend and nursing colleague Carol Manwaring to join her on her next journey.
The two charitable women are among a medical team of 12 nurses and doctors from around the world that will travel to Gulu in northern Uganda in November to help set up a new hospital in the isolated community near the border with Sudan.
The trip is conducted under the direction of world-renowned aid group Watoto Childcare Ministries, established in 1994.
Started by United States couple Marilyn and Garry Skinner, Watoto provides a holistic approach of residential care for orphaned and vulnerable children with the core vision to rescue a child raise a leader and rebuild a nation.
Mrs Viset said the main aim of the global medical team was to help rebuild the community of Gulu that had suffered at the hands of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) for more than 20 years.
“Many children were kidnapped from the village by the army at night - boys as young as 10 were forced to become killers, often attacking people from their own families, while the girls became slaves who were raped and abused by the soldiers,” she said.
“The aim of Watoto is to help these young people - many who are children with children of their own - reintegrate in their community.
“Many of these children suffer diseases such as aids, malaria and tuberculosis as well as psychological problems.
“They also struggle to be allowed back into their communities because of the lives they have led under the direction of the LRA.”
Mrs Viset said Watoto had a strong focus on training the people of Uganda to develop skills so they could continue to help themselves to a better life.
She said there were several orphanages, including centres specifically for orphaned babies, in Kampala and similar facilities would be established in Gulu, which had been hardest hit by the LRA.
“There have been no kidnappings in the area for about 18 months, but Gulu is close to the Sudan border where there is still a great deal of violence,” she said.
“The Watoto program aims to retrain young people and widowed mothers so they can find work and re-establish their life.
“Skills such as first aid and resuscitation are invaluable while children are supported by Watoto through their studies not just to the age of 16, but until they achieve the training they need.
“This often includes university studies.
“Meanwhile, many of the widowed mothers find work in the orphanages and hospitals.”
While both Mrs Viset and Ms Manwaring will personally fund their trip to Uganda they are looking for donations of products and money to go towards ongoing aid projects in Uganda.
“Donations of sewing machines, babies and children’s cloths, pens, pencils and stationery are invaluable in boosting the lives of the struggling people of Uganda,” Mrs Viset said.
“Medical supplies such as band-aids, bandages, thermometers, gloves, stethoscopes and blood pressure equipment would also be gratefully received.
“We would especially welcome the donation of a manikin for the purpose of CPR training in the Gulu community.
“The intent of Watoto is to empower the people of Uganda by giving them the tools and expertise they need to move forward in their lives.
Donations - both monetary and material - can be left at Bowral House at 87 Kangaloon Road, Bowral. Phone Diane Viset or Carol Manwaring on 4862 890 for more details.
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