Celebrating International Women’s Day 2023 !
| In celebration of women across the world, the Heart Sounds Board of Directors would like to share that in 2023 our focus will be to continue to empower young women to meet their fullest potential. We will EMPOWER WOMEN with your help by providing: – Housing- Education – Healthcare – Mental illness recovery support Here are some of our projects for this year: |
Our Primary Effort: The Paibona Secondary School
| Internal conflicts within countries often cripple the development of normal services such as education. Such was the case in Paibona, a rural village in the Gulu region of northern Uganda. More than 25 years ago, the Conflict as it was known resulted in the displacement of many of its residents. As of 2021, there was still no secondary school in the area. Therefore, in early 2022,the Board of the Paibona Secondary School Project contacted Heart Sounds for assistance. Heart Sounds began by providing some desks to be used in the first building that was constructed. |
| In 2023, our plan is to continue working with the Board to assure that, among other things, young women have the opportunity to attend school and complete their education. Our goal is to have 10 girls enrolled in the secondary school program by October 2023. We will assist with their school fees, as well as provide psychosocial and other support to the girls and their families to ensure success. |
Home for Divine Mercy Dormitory
| GOOD NEWS! Thanks to our generous donors, the dormitory was completed, and is full of the happy sounds of those who live there. A dream of founder, Father Evarist Ankwasiize, this dormitory houses 50 vulnerable girls, assuring them safety and security as they pursue vocational training. Thank you to the Lions Club, District 33 K in Massachusetts and the Knights of Columbus, Council 81 in Marlborough, Massachusetts as well as many private donors for their donations that helped us complete this project. Our work with the Home continued in 2022 with the completion of a toilet facility and provision of emergency food supplies during the holidays.   Following a consultation between Simon Ndaula, Heart Sounds Country Director, and the Sisters of the Consolers of the Sacred Heart who manage the Home, our 2023 goals include equipment updates for sewing and knitting classes as well as assisting the Home in evaluating new program efforts to help become self-sustainable. |
Health Clinics
| Heart Sounds US, Inc. in conjunction with Rugarama Hospital continues to provide much-needed outreach clinics for dental and eye care, as well as screening and referrals for treatment of diabetes and hypertension in a rural village of Kabale (Kigezi region in western Uganda). In 2021 and 2022, several hundreds of people have received care , with more outreach planned in 2023. Thanks to a $1000 donation from the Rotary Club of Marlborough, Richard Pulice, President of Heart Sounds, will bring needed supplies for the clinic including gowns, gloves and dental equipment on his visit there in April 2023.Thank you Rotarians for your commitment to those in need! |
Heart Sounds US Jewelry
| In 2013, the idea of creating a sustainable business to support those recovering from mental illness began. Now Heart Sounds US sells jewelry on behalf of recovering individuals at fair trade markets in New York, returning 100% of the funds to those that make them. Ten years later, we plan to expand this sustainable business with new opportunities at Fair Trade Markets in Massachusetts, New York and with an online store. Please visit our ETSY Store to purchase some of this beautiful work: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartSoundsJewelry    Coming Soon: To alleviate hunger, Heart Sounds is planning to develop a community garden at each of its’ projects. Expected start date Summer 2023. Thank you for your support! Please share this newsletter with your family and friends! |