By Yasiri J. Kasango
In a gesture of compassion and solidarity, Brian and Mary Kluth, founders of HealthCharity.org, have brought both practical relief and spiritual comfort to the residents of Nakivale settlement camp in Isingiro district, Uganda. Through their program called #ShareTheLight Gospel events, the Kluths have illuminated the lives of refugees from various strife-torn nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, and Rwanda, Burundi etcetera.
The heartwarming campaign has provided high-quality solar lamps to the refugees, alleviating the burden of nighttime lighting expenses. For individuals like Bahati, a refugee from Goma in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the initiative has been a beacon of hope in what has otherwise been a journey marked by hardship and uncertainty.
Bahati shared his poignant story, recounting the arduous journey he undertook to flee conflict in his homeland, arriving in Uganda with nothing but the clothes on his back. “When I reached Uganda, I had nothing left from my previous life in Goma,” Bahati lamented. “Surviving in a foreign land has been immensely challenging, with finding food being a daily struggle. The generosity of Brian and Mary Kluth and their organization has been a blessing beyond measure.”
The provision of solar lamps not only addresses a practical need but also symbolizes the spreading of light and hope amidst the darkness of displacement and despair. Each lamp represents more than just illumination; it signifies the solidarity of humanity, the empathy of fellow beings, and the enduring power of compassion.
Moreover, alongside the distribution of solar lamps, Brian and Mary Kluth have shared the message of Jesus Christ with the refugees, offering spiritual nourishment and solace in addition to tangible assistance. This holistic approach underscores the Kluths’ commitment to addressing both the material and spiritual dimensions of human suffering.
Brian encouraged the Christians to always use their hands and help those who need it. He said that “my hands used to steal, however, now God uses my hands to bless people and help meet their needs,” Brian said.
Through #ShareTheLight Gospel events, Brian has given out high-quality solar lamps to people in central Buganda and southwestern Uganda.
The impact of the #ShareTheLight Gospel initiative reverberates throughout Nakivale settlement camp, fostering a sense of community in the same way it did at Uganda Christian University’s (UCU )’s main campus this Tuesday when staff and students who had ordered for the lamps, cook stoves and water filters in February this year came to receive the products.
Reverend Canon Paul Wasswa Sembiro, Uganda Christian University’s chaplain, where Brian was the chief missioner for the Easter semester, commended this type of mission which he observed to be “The Gospel in Word and the Gospel in deed”
Commenting particularly on the much sought after water filter’s functions, he noted that it mimics God’s intention at the beginning of creation where filthy water from the rainstorm goes through swamps ( which are now being destroyed) and is purified. He compared this to the principles of biochemists and hydrologists at work, which he affirms makes the products trust-able.
