An elderly Ugandan man from Gayaza town in Nangabo Wakiso district, Kampala has donated a piece of land to help raise awareness on HIV protection and other health issues.
Mr. Ssemmanda Kyeyune George William’s land will be used by the Philips Liveable Cities project to house a stand carrying health education messages, which will also provide shade for passers by. Mr Kyeyune said he was very happy to donate a piece of land for a good cause and urged institutions to do the same.
“I have donated this piece of land for the construction of this shade that carries with it a health education message because it will educate our children about an element of health education that will save their lives.
“People who save lives should be supported to do their work. I am not a doctor in a hospital to save life, but for me as a citizen, when I give a piece of land to educate youths about the benefits of safer sex, I can help them protect themselves from HIV/AIDS.”
The stands were designed as part of the Philips Liveable Cities Project, which ran a competition asking people to come up with ideas for making their cities more liveable. The finalists’ ideas were selected from more than 450 received from 29 countries and show the passion, imagination and vision people across the world share for improving their cities.
In Uganda, the competitions theme was Healthy living in cities –outdoor and was won by Luwero resident and Key Correspondent Kityo James, as reported by KC Sharifah in February.
KC Kityo’s idea was to construct shades at key locations in Kampala to protect people from sunrays and elements of weather and also provide health messages. The messages will include those that encourage women to report for cancer smear tests in health facilities, messages of HIV prevention, and messages promoting breastfeeding.
Project coordinator Margared Apio said: “As our own health is affected by the health and wellbeing of our friends and family, meaningful innovations support both parents and children. By understanding what impacts on the health and wellbeing of families, innovations can be made even more meaningful. That is the reason why we thank Mr. George William Kyeyune for his donation of land for this project.”
An official from Philips said: “With two thirds of the world’s population predicted to live in cities by 2050, keeping urban communities safe, secure and healthy is one of the most demanding challenges we face. By better understanding cities and their inhabitants, more meaningful innovation can help to improve health and wellbeing”.
A number of shades have already been constructed in Wobulenzi town and women and youths are reported to be benefitting from them.
- Mr. G.W Kyeyune with Project coordinator Apio Margaret
- Shade with Health Education messages Philips Liveale Cities
- Shades also promoted after Philips Liveable Cities Shades project in kampala
