The scale of the task

Here's some statistics re Uganda, just to put into context the work VSO, Oxfam, Save the Children and other UK NGOs are doing here. Average life expectancy is 49 years; 320 people (mostly children) die every day from malaria; 48% of the population do not have access to clean water; there's 1 doctor per 10,000 people; 80% of the population living on less than $1 a day, and 96% living on less than $2 a day. There have been success stories: for example, HIV and AIDS prevalence in Uganda was reduced from around 30% in 1986 down to 6% by 2004, which shows what can be achieved with targeted resources and education. But there is so much more to do.