FOKH Information
Helping Kiwoko Hospital
FOKH needs a person to take on the mailing list, produce and send out newsletters. Contact feedback@fokh.org.uk
HOW CAN I HELP? - YOU CAN :
1. Join Friends of Kiwoko Hospital.
2. Pray for the work in Kiwoko.
3. Contribute financially by way of : Giving from other charity accounts. Gift Aid for single donations of £20 or more. Regular giving monthly, quarterly or yearly, Gift Aided if possible.
4. Promote Kiwoko as a 'worthy' object of giving among friends and relatives, colleagues, employers.
5. Disseminate knowledge of Kiwoko.
6. Use your skills. Recently St. Mary's Maryleborne visited Kiwoko and produced a professional CD on the Music of Kiwoko - all the sales go to the hospital. There is usually a need for skilled staff at Kiwoko - if you feel you have something to contribute then please contact the Medical Superintendent at Kiwoko directly.
Download the Inquiry jpg form by clicking here.
Aims of FOKH
'Kiwoko is a Christian hospital which aims to glorify Jesus and impart a definite Christian witness to the area. We look to recruit capable committed Christian staff who can minister to the patients professionally and spiritually. Training of Ugandan staff is a priority as skills are then imparted to the long-term benefit of the community.'
WHO ARE WE, WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE ?
Kiwoko Hospital:
In 1988 a young Irish Physician found himself at the scene of devastation of two civil wars, surrounded by evidence of recent genocide and the despair of people robbed of the means of rebuilding their lives. The land was rich in fertility but the people poor and weak. Challenged by what he had seen, Dr. Ian Clarke resigned from his Medical Practice near Belfast and returned to Uganda to become the only doctor to tens upon tens of thousands people in an area half the size of Northern Ireland.
The beginning was humble enough - a clinic under a tree - but the seed was soon to grow and gradually, with the help of Christian friends and various capital grants, a modern hospital took shape and with it a whole community recovered hope and the means of survival. (Ian tells this dramatically in his book, 'The man with the key has gone'). The complex now includes adults' and childrens' wards, a T.B. ward, an Obstetric Unit, Operating Theatres, Outpatient Building, and a modern Laboratory as well as a Nursing School and staff accommodation. Regular outreach clinics are held, including an AIDS support programme in the community. Medical Staff from Britain and Uganda work side by side.
The hospital is built on a strong Christian foundation, with evangelism and medical help going hand in hand. There are healthy links with the Church of Uganda but staff and support come from among members of many Christian groups and the hospital is 'owned' by none. This is at once a strength and weakness and the 'Friends of Kiwoko Hospital' which was formed in 1989 to make the needs of the hospital known and to help to coordinate support. Patients contribute to the costs of their treatment, but in a rural area with much poverty this is often not possible and it is our ambition that no patient should be turned away. 'Friends of Kiwoko Hospital' (Charity - Ref No:XN77395) tries to make up the shortfall in the annual budget - currently around £150,000.
Friends of Kiwoko Hospital
* acts as a source of information and helps provide financial, technical and professional help.
* works in association with other groups who are interested in Uganda.
* is involved with people going out to Kiwoko, giving of their time, educating and imparting their skills.
WHY ARE WE NEEDED ?
The very poor require help in paying for their medical care and retaining good staff in the hospital needs income support.
Large costly items, such as vehicles, have finite lives and need replacement.
The hospital has a shortfall in its running costs, only 40 - 50% of which are covered by patient charges.
Kiwoko needs your support and prayers to keep on going. It needs £ 12,000 per month (half the running costs)
Charitable Status
When Friends of Kiwoko Hospital (FOKH) was formed in 1988 to help support the work in Kiwoko, charitable status was sought from the Inland Revenue Charities Division in Bootle, England. This was to enable FOKH to operate a covenant scheme and gift aid scheme for UK taxpayers and companies so that their giving would be enhanced by reclaiming tax already paid. N. Ireland is slightly peculiar in that the Charities commission does not give a Charity number but a Charity reference. For FOKH this is XN77395.
As a Charity there is also the possibilty of getting VAT exemption on items for the hospital. Much of the equipment for the hospital has come through the good offices of Mr Brian Dorman of 'Africare', another charity originating in N. Ireland. FOKH would like to recognise his outstanding contribution to the work in Kiwoko here.
As a Charity it is incumbent on FOKH to keep proper financial records, these are independently audited and open to the inspectionof the Inland revenue and any member. These records are presented at the annual general meeting each year.
Constitution
The constitution of FOKH runs to over 10 pages so we have restricted what is shown below tothe 'bare essentials'.
1. The name of the Association is Friends of Kiwoko Hospital (hereinafter referred to as "the Association").
2. OBJECTS AND POWERS
2.1.1 The objects of the Association are the relief of poverty and sickness of the inhabitants of Uganda who are in need as a result of drought, earthquake, flood or other natural disaster or who by reason of their social, economic, medical and health conditions are in need of assistance;
2.1.2 the Association may grant relief to such inhabitants through the agency of other charities;
2.1.3 in carrying out the above the charity will have particular regard to the medical health and social needs of the people in the Luwero district of Uganda.
3. MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Full membership of the Association shall be open to individuals of 18 years and over who are interested in furthering the work of the Association and who have paid the annual subscription as laid down from time to time by the executive committee mentioned below.
3.2Associate membership shall be open to anyone who is interested in furthering the work of the Association and has paid the annual subscription as laid down from time to time by the executive committee. Associate members shall not be entitled to vote.
Contacting FOKH
Firstly you can use the feedback page on this site.
Secondly you can Email to feedback@kiwoko.org.uk
The Honorary Secretary is:
Mr Michael Johnston, 3 Maxwell Park, Bangor. Co Down. N. Ireland
The Gift Aid secretary is:
Dr. Ian Taylor, 30 The Close, Marino, Holywood. Co Down. N. Ireland.
The Honorary treasurer is:
Mr Jim McAnlis, 19 Moira Drive, Bangor BT20 4RN. N. Ireland
The Chairman is:
Mr. Roy Millar, 17 Ballymenoch Park, Holywood.Co Down. N. Ireland.
