GOAL has just completed the construction of their 1,000th home for vulnerable families in Southern Uganda.
Since it was established three years ago, GOAL's housing support programme has rehabilitated or provided new homes for thousands of orphans and families who have been affected by HIV or AIDS in the east African country.
Prior to taking ownership of their new brick-built homes, families had been living in makeshift shacks, grass houses and leaking mud huts. Without access to latrines or clean water, poor health and disease was rife.
Re-housed families are now residing in multi-room homes, which provide shelter, warmth and water and sanitation facilities. New home owners are also equipped with household goods, including stoves, mattresses and blankets, while mosquito nets are also supplied to help prevent family members from contracting malaria.
The new houses cost just €4,500 to construct and GOAL CEO John O'Shea is encouraging Irish businesses, groups and people to fundraise or club together to buy a house for a needy family.
"This programme has been an extraordinary success but we need the help of the Irish people now more than ever to help us reach our target of 1,500 houses. There are many more families living in desperate conditions that urgently require our assistance," said Mr. O'Shea.
