At 2 pm on Friday, 5 May 2017 in Government House, Dr Andrew and Mrs Anne Wright were presented with their Order of Australia (AM) medals by His Excellency The Honourable Paul De Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland. They were honoured for their significant service to international relations and to the health and wellbeing of the Acholi people of Northern Uganda.
With a deep desire to serve God with his medical skills and experience, Dr Andrew Wright studied a Graduate Diploma in Theology at BST in the mid 90s to become more grounded in his faith and to develop a better understanding of God’s word. His wife Anne also audited subjects at the college. From a young age, Andrew developed a curiosity and love for Africa and a desire to pursue medicine. Andrew and Anne have been instrumental in establishing medical/dental support services and training at Kitgum in North Uganda. They originally visited the village in 2001 and saw a great need for medical support for the people who were living in desperate poverty. And so in 2008, they established Yotkom, a faith-based charity organisation that aims to improve access to health professionals for Ugandans.
Their work with Yotkom in Uganda was recognised and honoured with the Member of the Order of Australia (General Division). The Order of Australia is an honour system that recognises the outstanding achievements and services of individuals in their respective field of endeavours. There are five levels in the Order of Australia including Knight/Dame of the Order, Companion of the Order, Office of the Order, Member of the Order, and Medal of the Order.
Please continue to pray for the work of Yotkom in Uganda, particularly as they seek to build relationships and resources. Pray for their work in seeking to reduce the rates of malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and as they seek to train up more local health professionals who can respond to the great medical needs of the people in Northern Uganda. Yotkom has a fully operational Primary Health Care facility in Kitgum that sees more than 300 patients every week (this was opened in 2015). The facility has consulting rooms, operating theatres, admission areas, x-ray and ultrasound facilities, laboratory, and pharmacy. Andrew and Anne regularly travel to the region to provide mentoring support and assistance for the local health practitioners.
To find out about the work of Yotkom visit yotkom.com.
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