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<\/a>In the mid-1990s, Gideon Byamugisha\u2019s life was in turmoil. His wife had recently died, leaving him with their infant daughter. Gideon was then diagnosed HIV-positive. As a young priest in the Church of Uganda, he could have tried to keep his HIV-positive status secret. Instead, he embarked upon a remarkable HIV ministry.<\/p>\n One of the many fruits of Gideon\u2019s ministry is the Friends of Canon Gideon Foundation (FOCAGIFO) and its subsidiary, the Focagifo Hope Institute in Kampala (http:\/\/www.focagifo.net\/<\/a>). Since it began in 2003, the Institute has trained over 3,000 young people in practical vocational skills and HIV\/AIDS awareness. Graduates of the Institute are now earning livings as chefs, hair stylists, clothing designers, electricians and motor mechanics. They have also acquired the knowledge and life-skills that help them to avoid becoming infected with HIV or to live positively with the virus.<\/p>\n The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an existential crisis for the Hope Institute. It was closed for 11 months, and re-opened only recently. In a major new development, however, the Government of Uganda is now funding places for 30 students on short courses. Ruth Ninsiima, Principal of the Hope Institute, is optimistic about the future: \u201cKeep holding us in the Light. The future looks bright!\u201d Donations to the Hope Institute can be made in two ways, via a special account managed by Glen & Alison Williams:<\/p>\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div><\/p>\n Back to April 2021 Newsletter Main Page<\/a><\/p>\n Forty-Three<\/em> e-Newsletter \u2022 Number 504 \u2022 April 2021 newsletter@oxfordquakers.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Hope Institute, Uganda Glen Williams In the mid-1990s, Gideon Byamugisha\u2019s life was in turmoil. His wife had recently died, leaving him with their infant daughter. Gideon was then diagnosed HIV-positive. As a young priest in the Church of Uganda, he could have tried to keep his HIV-positive status secret. Instead, he embarked upon … Continue reading Charity Appeal April 2021<\/span> <\/a><\/a>\n
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\n<\/strong>Oxford Friends Meeting
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