Corner Brook Doctors gearing up for another Uganda mission, this time bringing soccer jerseys and balls to kids

They’re heading down next month to once again affirm their commitment to improve the quality of life in underprivileged parts of the world whether that be through health care, shelter, food, or education.

Doctors Justin and Genille French and the APEX Group of Companies here in Corner Brook have been travelling south to make life a little easier and healthier for some people in Uganda. They’re heading down next month to once again affirm their commitment to improve the quality of life in underprivileged parts of the world whether that be through health care, shelter, food, or education. French says this year they’re bringing 250 donated soccer jerseys for kids and real soccer balls, since these kids make their own out of banana peels and pop bottles. 

French and his wife have been providing ophthalmology services in Mongolia for the past ten years, and five years ago they decided to expand into a venue by forming the “It’s nice to be nice charity.” Since then, they’ve built a three structure health care facility in a remote area of Uganda. Last year, the Uganda Project raised over $150,000. French says they regularly offer “jiggers” clinics, which involve the removal of parasitic worms in feet, mainly because they can’t afford a pair of shoes. Last year they treated over 2,000 children and delivered over a million meals over the last five years. 

French says they also work with the St. John’s based group, “HOPE” which is Helping Orphans Prosper through Education, who are supporting 26 children in an orphanage in Jinga, Uganda. He says their focus for next year’s project is rebuilding the 13 bedroom orphanage on five acres of land they recently purchased.