Standard Chartered Bank partners with Rotary to raise funds for a Blood Bank

On Friday, 16th October 2015 Standard Chartered Bank in Uganda organised a breakfast at Serena Hotel. Mr. Herman Kasekende announced its partnership with Rotary.

Standard Chartered Bank MD Herman Katongole talking to clients at Serena

"Most of them are banking with us. I was approached by Rtn. Katongole Emmanuel to partner with them to build a blood bank at Mengo Hospital." he said. Emmanuel convinced me to build a blood bank at Mengo.

A cross-section of people who attended the breakfast

Currently we have one blood bank that is leaving a deficit. In some way and some form Stan chart will partner with you.

They have a deficit of 700,000 USD to enable them finish the job. I managed to come up with a team to handle. I said I would reach out to 60 |of our clients to come and assist us to raise 500 million.

This breakfast is aimed at appealing to you people to join us to assist Rotary finish the construction of the blood bank. This is a noble cause to ad to that list.

PDG Emmanuel Katongole  on his part gave his story of how he was raised in a very poor family and losing his father at a very tender age. He gave a very moving story of how he lost a sister in 1973 at the tender age of 15 who bled to death because of lack of blood.

He said that during his governorship he was inspired by PDG Stephen who had come up with the idea of building a cancer ward.

PDG Emmanuel Katongole narrating the Blood Bank story

He said that during the west gate mall incident the govt of Kenya and rotarians mobilized people to donate blood. That prompted him to think of coming up with another blood bank. He posed a question supposing such a tragedy befell Uganda would we be able to have enough blood? He went on to say that in Mulago National referral hospital there was very little blood. He said that blood is free that we should freely give. It is our responsibility. Let's touch someone's heart.

PDG Emmanuel autographs his book

"I must say thank you to the team at Stan chart led by Herman Kasekende. Non of us needs recognition for this" "I thank them because when the call came, they just accepted without reservation." He said adding on that when you see a top executive of a top bank getting out to convince  his clients to raise money for the blood bank it touches.

He thanked the Rotary blood team bank for championing the work. He particulary thanked PDG stephen and his team for surrendering the cancer run money and the work has already started. He said that the bank will be finished soon in mid 2016.

members watching the 5 minute video

Riham company is going to donate 25m.
Mr. Sekankya Hardware world will provide physical materials.
Hardware dealers association by Monday will be making their pledge.

Mr. Nicholas Byengoma said he was touched and said in most hospitals people are asking for money. He will contribute 10m shillings.

Then later on watched a five minute video about the importance of blood in Uganda and how blood shortage is affecting the lives of many innocent Ugandans.