A British entrepreneur has launched a new charity to support the lives of communities hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic in Uganda.

Businesswoman Shamila Mhearban and her husband James set up the initiative after witnessing the impact of the pandemic first-hand on the most vulnerable communities in Uganda, where they have been living for the past four years.

The charity is called Tulinawe, which means ‘we are with you’ in Ugandan, and will provide short-term financial aid in unexpected hardship.

According to the charity, one in five Ugandans still live in extreme poverty and more than a third survive on less than £1.25 a day. Shamila’s team will work with local community workers, village elders and local authorities to identify who needs support with things such as school fees, buying food or medical bills.

The couple, who have just moved back to the UK, say that living in Uganda and has been an eye-opening experience recently, pointing to the lack of welfare support available when compared to other nations, including back home.

The initiative will be partly funded by Shamila and James themselves, whose money set up the charity this year. They are now seeking the support of philanthropists, businesses and other individuals to help reach even more people.

Shamila said:

This country will always have a special place in our heart. We arrived in Uganda at a time when we, as a young family, felt very vulnerable and isolated. The local community has been so good to us, and we hope this is the start of something very beautiful. Tulinawe will allow us to put donations directly in the hands of those who need it most.

To donate or to find out more about Tulinawe, visit https://tulinawe.com.