"Peter hugged the toy. A small doll on a keychain. But he has never had a toy. He admired it as the flies covered his pretty face and badly infected leg. He was lucky. He escaped. Thanks to Zita Bagdi, Zsofia Kapi and Attila Gaspar, doctors who went to the King David Primary School in Kapeke to heal with the help of the African Hungarian Union (AHU). Peter (pictured to the right) silently endured the painful intervention, the sewing and welcomed the candy as a reward.

Besides him countless other children arrived at the white doctors' office who very carefully, with due patience treated the festering, previously not treated injuries, malaria, mitigated fever, skin infections, soothed coughs, asthma, or even gave lectures about heart disease.

The school warmly welcomed the help from Hungary, since the closest hospital is about 60 kilometers away and no medical care is available. Here, small injuries can be a huge problem. Many people die of lack of care, often from easily treatable infections. In this area the population lives in extreme poverty. We don’t hear the children say "we do not want to go to school." In Uganda, a high percentage of the populace is minor, and most schools cost money. This is the cause of the high level of education and how proudly and cheerfully the students take part in the classes.

The interactive whiteboard so popular in Europe is nowhere to be seen here, it is instead replaced with painted fiberboard, ergonomic chairs give place to simple wooden benches used for writing and sitting, yet the students have an insatiable thirst for knowledge. The various school buildings are not squeaky clean, not all of them have a roof - which is pretty inconvenient in the rainy season - but you don't see them complaining, not even the ones that can only sit outside the school building.

Of course we did not arrive empty-handed, we gave out balls, puzzles, pencils, school bags, hygiene products. But the biggest help was the food. Food is always welcome here and maize flour, sugar and rice are staples here.

The African Hungarian Union (AHU) has launched its thirteenth medical mission to Africa, and its fourth mission to Uganda, to improve the health of the local people. Based on these experiences, with the help of the Hungarian Trade and Cultural Center (HTCC) AHU set a goal of establishing a health center, here in Kapeke. In this region for every 1 million people there are only 10 doctors, there is a shortage of skilled personnel, no adequate institutional background, and there are no adequate tools for medical care.

Every man deserves a chance at a livable life; we should strive together for a happier future! "

Mónika L. Novák, Uganda, 22 April 2016