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Here Joshua, from our event team, who has lived in Masaka all his life, explains what is happening in the district as a result of the lockdown, and how many families are struggling. As mentioned, families can’t work, so they can’t put food on the table, and some businesses are taking advantage of the situation by raising prices as well.

Therefore, to support the community during this difficult time, we’ve teamed up with the Eco Brixs to provide a support programme. Where possible, we are also asking our supporters to donate what they can to help. Everyone is struggling at the present with the worldwide pandemic, but even a small donation goes an incredibly long way in Uganda (as you can read below).

• 6kg of Posho £4
• 3kg of Beans £2.70
• 1 pack of Salt £0.30

• Soap £0.70

To transport these goods will cost £2.30, which means in total, a £10.00 donation will feed an individual for at least two weeks (probably longer) and make a huge difference to the community of Masaka.

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The Uganda Marathon and the Eco Brixs Team – making up the packs to feed Masaka

In this video here, Tom, alongside the marathon and Eco Brixs team, are packing up the beans to be delivered to the families. When this was filmed a few days ago, they’d made up 233 packs. As Tom, highlights, these 3kg of beans will feed an individual for over two weeks – most likely 3 or 4.

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To go alongside the beans, maize is also being added into the parcels, which can be cooked up into a traditional, filling Ugandan dish known as Posho.

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We are also including soap in the food packages, to help families maintain hygiene during the lockdown through the washing of hands – which is proving so important around the world at the moment in tackling COVID-19.

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In true Eco Brixs style, looking to recycle plastic where possible, we’re pouring the soap we’re purchasing into used plastic bottles in order to recycle them (after cleaning them), in order to enable easy distribution to each household.

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Johnson, the Eco Brixs Operations Manager (who is also on the Uganda Marathon event team) is driving the truck to deliver the food parcels to the community. In this video, he tells us about this and also shares his gratitude to everyone who is supporting Masaka through this challenging time.