Ugandan children receiving donations HUGS founder Cate Altamura brought from Australia.By Melissa Meehan
CATE Altamura is not afraid to share her hugs.
Back from a two-month journey in Uganda as part of her charity, Helping Ugandan Generations (HUG), Ms Altamura said she couldn’t wait to go back.
“It was just amazing to see how their faces lit up when we handed over the clothing, toys and books,” Ms Altamura said.
“Even something as small as stickers, they were just so grateful to receive them.”
Ms Altamura founded her charity after visiting Uganda as a television journalist.
“I saw the conditions that these people were living in,” she said. “I knew then that I had to do something, so I came home and registered the charity.”
She has since travelled to Uganda with goods for villagers up to twice a year. But she has come up against some problems in taking the goods to the country.
“I need to go with the goods so that I know they reach their destination,” she said.
“I receive so much support from people here, but when I get to Uganda I seem to hit a wall.
“That is the hardest part.”
Though the goods she takes in are completely donated, the Ugandan government makes her pay tax on the items.
“This time I had to pay $620 in taxes,” she said.
“Just to claim the items through customs.” To lower the costs Ms Altamura claimed some of the items as personal effects.
“So there I was at the airport, opening carefully packed boxes to pick out items that I could say were for me,” she said.
“It was really disheartening.” But Ms Altamura said she couldn’t let the hurdles stop her from doing what she wanted.
“In the end I have to focus on the children,” she said.
“Because in the end it is all for them.” Ms Altamura is now back at work, trying to get some more money to go back to Uganda.
This time she took 25 boxes, but left 15 in Melbourne. The next time she plans to take the 15 plus 10 more.
“I am working double shifts to try and get over there quicker,” she said.
Dandenong RSL’s John Filmer said the RSL was very pleased to have such a dedicated and focused young lady as a member. For more information about HUGS contact Cate on 0417 364 528.
