Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

NEW ORLEANS — As Braveheart Foundation’s 2022 return to Uganda quickly approaches, the organization is hosting a wine tasting fundraiser to support the upcoming medical trip as well as ongoing, sustainable efforts for lasting change in remote areas of Uganda.

Uncork for a Cause will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 30 at the Second Vine Wine Bar, located at 4212 Magazine St. in New Orleans. The event will include a “Deeply Rooted” silent auction sponsored by Ryan Art Ministry from 6 to 8 p.m.

Founded by St. John the Baptist Parish native Erica Rogers, Braveheart is a humanitarian organization that serves marginalized communities locally & abroad by providing preventive and sustainable health and relief programming. Acute medical, vision, dental, women’s health, and podiatry are the specialties Braveheart provides through free medical clinics.

The Girl Power Period Campaign is one of the organization’s current focuses. According to Rogers, young girls in Uganda miss an average of 20% of school days because of the negative stigma associated with their menstrual cycle and lack of access to sanitary products. This puts many of them on the street, and at an increased risk of sexual exploitation, teen pregnancy, and a higher rate of not finishing school.

Braveheart’s partners will train 50 young women annually & equip them with products needed to reach up to 1,200 young people to de-stigmatize menstruation and give young girls the tools to stay in school throughout their cycle.

Braveheart also wants to address maternal mortality rates, which stand at a staggering 68% in sub-Saharan Africa due to lack of access to sterile equipment. Braveheart has partnered with a local Ugandan midwifery organization to help distribute “Mama Kits” which include the basic, sterile tools needed for a much safer and healthier delivery. Each kit costs just $10, and Braveheart will distribute them to as many pregnant people during our upcoming clinic days in Uganda.

Locally, Braveheart provides services to meet immediate health and humanitarian needs such as disaster relief. The organization was able to offer COVID-19 testing, information, vaccinations and disaster response following Hurricane Ida with clean-up and large-scale distributions of household items, cleaning supplies, hot meals, Wi-Fi and stimulus gift cards. Future efforts include a local fresh produce pop-up pantry.

For more information, visit www.mybraveheart.org.