PICKUP APPEAL
NOTDEC’S PICKUP IS "KNACKERED!"
Bought new in May 2014, it’s been averaging 70 miles a day ever since! It’s now done 230,000 miles – on bone-shaking Ugandan roads. So we ’ve been advised to replace it before it falls apart or needs eye-wateringly expensive repairs!
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Initially, we centralised operations in our purpose-built “orphanage village” at Kabirizi. Most under 6s still live there. But the Ugandan Government then insisted that older kids go to live with any extended family willing and able to care for them – even if they ’re miles away! And NOTDEC must check their well-being regularly. So we now have a team of social workers with boda-bodas (motorbikes) and a Pickup. Monitoring children scattered over a wide area inevitably means high mileages.
WHAT’S IN A PICKUP?
The Pickup is our LOVE– on wheels! With it, we do whatever it takes to give a life to each of the 160+ children now in our care. But love is easily overlooked. With the Pickup, we ’ve done LOTS of things we’re hugely proud of – and we have the photos to prove it. But few of the pictures actually show the Pickup!
A PICKUP BY ANY OTHER NAME …
THE “KIDDY CARRIER”
We've fitted the Pickup with removable benches and a cover to keep rear passengers out of sun and dust.
Here it ’s taking ridiculous numbers of kids to a local Sunday School event, and doing the twice-daily school run. The Pickup was also used to go shopping for the school uniforms, bags and shoes.
RED CROSS PARCELS VAN
During COVID food shortages, and funded by our Food Aid Appeal, the Pickup delivered maize flour, beans, cassava flour & cooking oil to every family housing a NOTDEC child. Further loads were provided later to those still needing help.
They may no longer live on-site at NOTDEC, but we still have their backs.
BOB THE BUILDER'S TRUCK
Many NOTDEC children’ s families have very basic housing – some so poor that our social workers insist on improvements before the child moves in. Upgrades have included new toilets, extra bedrooms, a partial rebuild, and even two whole new houses - all done by our construction team. Day after day the Pickup ferries them, their ladders, building materials and tools to wherever the family lives - until the job is done.
[The Pickup in front of Eldad' s new house was added in Photoshop!]
REMOVALS VAN
When children go to live with family, we don’t just dump them at the door. We deliver their belongings and new bedding – bed, mattress, waterproof, mosquito net and cotton sheets. Here we were delivering replacement items to several kids in one trip. And when NOTDEC founder, Mama Dorothy retired, the Pickup took her - bed and all - to her new home.
IGA COURIER SERVICE
Some NOTDEC families have very low incomes, and are very vulnerable to down-turns, COVID etc. So we fund and facilitate their small business enterprises – in IGAs (“Income Generating Activities”) like goat-rearing, trading in clothing, and tailoring. By boda-boda, we can’t easily deliver pregnant goats, bailed clothing, or a sewing machine. But with the Pickup we can provide a full-blown small business courier service!
WITHOUT A PICKUP NOTDEC WOULD GRIND TO A HALT
(AS THE OLD ONE MAY VERY SOON DO!)
WHAT A NEW PICKUP WILL COST
- New Toyota Hilux 2.4 GD Country Single Cab 6-MT 4x4 £34,000
- First Service £1,000
- Removable frame & seating £2,000 (e)
- Removable cover £1,000 (e)
- TOTAL £38,000
(e) = estimate. Fixed prices only with a firm order.
SO £38,000 ...
PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN THEN
If you 'd like to help us buy a NEW Pickup please tap ...
SMALL PRINT
Capital items are expensive, so NOTDEC has applied to various Charitable Trusts etc for grants. The outcome of such applications is unpredictable. Should the total raised by this appeal exceed the total stated above, any excess will be spent on the acquisition, maintenance and/or servicing of NOTDEC vehicles and/or on any other urgent needs identified by the Trustees within NOTDEC UK's charitable objects. All grants & donations are accepted on this understanding only.