Lives are being saved in a Kampala slum as the result of the actions of a remarkable Anglican minister, reported Steve Bradbury, National Director of relief and development agency TEAR Australia, after a recent visit to Uganda.

“This slum, called Kalerwe, is a community cobbled together on partially reclaimed swamp land,” said Mr Bradbury. “Disease was rampant, but today, thanks to the Rev Grace Kaiso’s persistent lobbying of the local authorities, the area has been more effectively drained, public toilets erected and maintained, and safe water piped in.

“In addition, the church has helped the community establish effective community health services and a small school.”

Mr Bradbury said he asked Mr Kaiso why, as a busy pastor, he gave so much time to a community health project. “His answer was one I will never forget. He told me that after he had been in the parish only a short period, he discovered that 25 per cent of the children he was baptising were dying before they reached the age of six months.

“He told me, ‘I was forced to ask myself, what does it mean to to represent Jesus in this place?’,” concluded Mr Bradbury.