December 31, 2020
As the sun sets on 2020, the entire world seems to be letting out a collective sigh of relief. This year has been defined by loss, fear, and isolation. It has been a year of closed doors and masked faces.
But when I look back at the last 12 months in Wakiso, I don’t just see the struggle. I see the soil in which the Fecane Child Foundation was planted.
They say that diamonds are created under pressure. Well, 2020 was the pressure, and this organization is the result. We didn’t start this foundation because it was easy; we started it because the crisis made it impossible for us to stay seated.
A Year of Impossible “Firsts”
If you told me in January that by December we would be a fully registered legal entity with an operational office and a feeding program, I wouldn’t have believed you. We had no budget. We had no donors. We just had a burning feeling that “someone has to do something.”
Look at what we achieved together, starting from absolutely zero:
- March: We responded to COVID-19 immediately with emergency hygiene education.
- May: We turned a single $50 donation into safety for 20 families.
- August: We navigated the bureaucracy to become a registered CBO.
- October: We opened the doors to our first physical office.
- November: We launched the “Porridge Project” pilot, proving we can feed the most vulnerable.
“We built the plane while flying it through a storm. And not only did we not crash, but we also picked up passengers along the way.”
The Lessons of the Slum
The biggest lesson of 2020 wasn’t about logistics or fundraising. It was about community.
When we had nothing, the elders gave us their blessing. When we needed hands, the youth of Wakiso stepped up to volunteer. When we needed a home, we found an office right here in the dust of the neighborhood.
We learned that money is important, but trust is the currency that truly matters. We end this year not rich in funds, but wealthy in trust.
The Horizon of 2021
We are not celebrating tonight because the work is done. We are celebrating because the foundation is laid.
2020 was about survival and setup. 2021 is going to be about growth and impact.
We are entering the new year with a battle plan. We are going to expand the Porridge Project. We are going to launch the Fecane Football Academy to bring discipline and joy back to our children. We are going to get kids like Musa back into learning mode.
We are just getting started. The engine is warm. The team is ready.
We survived the hardest year in modern history. Now, we are ready to thrive.
Make your last action of 2020 a seed for 2021. Help us start the new year with a full tank of gas. Make a Year-End Tax-Deductible Donation
