Children of the Sun Foundation- COSF held their Annual General Meeting for the year 2020-2021 on 7th October 2021. The meeting consisted of various activities including remuneration and election of directors, awarding stakeholders who have done outstanding work to support project implementation, to assess the performance for the previous years and to plan for the organization’s future.
COSF Executive Director Henry Mukiibi says, “Children of the Sun Foundation Uganda has successfully completed another year of operation despite numerous challenges. When the global COVID-19 pandemic began, 21 of our members were arrested from the shelter, locked up and brutalized in Kitalya Prison for 52 days, after which the case was adjourned and all the 21 were let go without any charges. With support from members, board members, staff, other beneficiaries and donors we were able to stand out and triumph with remarkable milestones. An AGM to me is where the executive committee shares accountability with members and the stakeholders of the organization. We are also able to get feedback from our members face to face on whether our services are up to standard or not.”
Their most notable achievements include;
COSF Medical Services.
The organization established COSF Medical Services at their secretariat to ensure good quality health services are delivered to the LGBTQ community at a relatively low price and if funded at zero cost. This is a Key Population based clinic and it currently employs 5 qualified LGBTIQ people. Through their services, they have been able to handle 289 key populations through STI screening and treatment among other health issues.
Income Generating Activities.
After assessing available human resource skills and the COVID 19 environment, food was the best area to venture into, COSF Uganda established a restaurant in Makindye where it currently employs 11 people 9 of these being from the LGBTQ community. The restaurant does both indoor and outdoor catering, event management among others. This was officially launched on 12th December, 2020 by the Board Chairperson, Mr. Richard Lusimbo and the Executive Director Sexual Minorities Uganda, Mr. Frank Mugisha.
Before COVID-19 pandemic, COSF Uganda owned clothing stalls in markets that were closed due to the pandemic, we re-strategized and now our community members can access their clients via social media and business seems to be booming, now more LGBTIQ people can work and sustain themselves.
Relocation of their shelter project.
Children of the Sun Foundation Uganda successfully relocated their shelter to Kawempe a Kampala suburb in July 2020 from Kyengera Town Council after the release of its members from Kitalya prison. After the relocation, COSF Uganda was able to resume implementing its thematic programs safely.
Other achievements include, digital security training of staff members in a bid to enhance their cyber security, 2 COVID-19 sensitization meetings, and a training on how to carry out resource mobilization and advocacy.
