The Humanist Association for Leadership, Equality and Accountability (HALEA) are in need of help following a significant burglary in early July.
HALEA runs educational and support services for children in socio-economically deprived communities of Kampala, Uganda. They run workshops in schools focusing on areas including human rights, the rights of children, democracy and confidence building. Furthermore, HALEA promotes Humanism in Uganda through debates and discussion on ethical and Humanist topics. HALEA also publish a regular magazine, produced by school students; this provides a rare and valuable opportunity for Ugandan children to see themselves in print and express their views. Leadership training at the HALEA offices provides support to bright students to learn new skills. The HALEA IHEU-supported public debate series has also provided the opportunity for Ugandan youth to debate and discuss with adult participants, which would normally only be heard from an adult perspective.
Unfortunately, earlier this month HALEA suffered a major setback when the HALEA offices suffered a major burglary. Kato Mukasa, the director of HALEA informed IHEYO that “our offices had been broken
into and lots of property and cash taken. The first people to reach the office found [the building security guard] unconscious lying at the upper/behind part of the building. Our offices were wide open.” Six computers, two laptops, projectors, a camera, three guitars, a desktop printer, the officer phone and power cables were all taken. Cash, set aside for upcoming rent payments was also stolen.
Ugandan schools take their main holiday during the Christmas period (rather than during the summer months of the Northern-hemisphere as in Europe and North America); the middle of the year is the busiest time for HALEA, with many activities currently being conducted. “HALEA staff and members are devastated with this development, we have lost the important tools that enable us to operate and surely this is a great set back in the history of the organization. This has happened at a time when we had so many vital activities going on and many pending.” Despite the burglary, HALEA is continuing their work in schools. However, it is vital for the continuation of their work that are able to restore their office resources as soon as possible.
IHEU estimates that it will cost just over USD $10, 000 to replace the lost equipment.
If you are interested in making a donation towards helping HALEA recover please visit https://humanists.international/humanist-group-needs-help-after- robbery/ .