Family heading to Uganda to further support charity
- Ron Giofu
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
An Amherstburg woman is heading back to Uganda to assist a charity she is involved with, and this time she’s being joined by her son and his fiancée.
Ingrid Silvaggio-Heugh, a volunteer with the charity Save African Child Uganda (SACU) said she is excited to meet up with her son James and his fiancée Isabelle in Uganda. She said he recently proposed to her after hiking on top of the Dolomites Mountains in northern Italy.
“We will be in Uganda for four weeks between mid-October to the middle of November,” said Silvaggio-Heugh. “They will be in Egypt before meeting up with me in Uganda, for their first time. James and Isabelle now have their mandatory Yellow Fever vaccination and will be taking their malaria pills. Since I had my vaccinations in 2015, I’m good to go but will also be taking my malaria prescription.”
Silvaggio stated she can’t wait to show them the work that has been accomplished over the years by SACU. They have supported children and families through building of schools to helping feed children.
“I’m so blessed to be able to take my fourth trip to Uganda. So much has changed since 2019 when I took my third trip with three other committee members (Cheryl Rutgers, Rick & Kathy Vriesen),” said Silvaggio-Heugh. “A couple of years before our visit, committee members Elaine Johnson and Betty Westfall had spent some time in the remote village. Six years ago, the high school next to SACU Elementary was just beginning to be built and now I get to see the completion of Quality High School.”
Silvaggio-Heugh said she’s been wanting to go back to Uganda sooner, since her last three trips were taken every other year, but the COVID-19 pandemic and other situations occurred.
“I can’t wait to see how the children have grown especially our sponsored children. My goal is to take a picture of each child in their environment and to write to their sponsor,” she said. “I am hoping to become more familiar with the students and to work with them in the school setting. I will also be spending time with the teaching staff and the Ugandan Committee Team in formal and informal meetings.”
There was a recent “trunk sale” to sell all of the extra items Silvaggio-Heugh said she couldn’t fit into her allotted suitcases.
“I have always taken ten suitcases filled with clothes, shoes and supplies for the children and teaching staff. The cost for the extra suitcases has greatly increased over the years and was told by the airline that I could only bring four extras,” she said. “Family and friends continue to be so generous and have contributed to some of the cost. I am so grateful to those who have reached out to me wanting to contribute to feeding the children and donating for the cause.”
James said he and Isabelle will be joining his mother in Uganda Oct. 20 to visit the remote village where SACU started.“The organization is close to my mom’s heart and responsible for taking care of over 200 students,” he said. “Over the past 13 years I’ve watched my mom pour herself into this endeavor. It’s been a dream of mine to join her and help make a difference.”James added his goal is to help give more light to the daily struggles of the children as they grow up “and look to do more with their lives while sharing their names, stories and dreams.”
“I will also be teaching the children acrobatics,” he said. “I believe in my mother’s vision and aspiration. I can’t wait to be a part of this experience.”
James’ skills in acro-performance has led him to television appearances on such shows as America’s Got Talent as well as involvement with the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show.
For further information on the grass-roots organization SACU, visit their website at www.sacuspirit.org.
Family heading to Uganda to further support charity
By Ron Giofu
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