Seventeen year old Kaitlin’s life was forever changed in 2009 when she was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, a type of cancerous brain tumour. Kaitlin underwent two surgeries and chemotherapy to treat it. The effects were immediate and positive; however she relapsed and continued to undergo aggressive treatment. It was during this relapse, and after much deliberation, that Kaitlin decided on her most heartfelt wish.
Kaitlin and her family have a history of serving as good Samaritans. For years they have supported African villages by providing life’s necessities. They have done this through an organization called Compassion Canada, an organization that works to improve the quality of life for children in developing countries. After finding out that the organization is currently working on a large scale water project for 21 sites in Uganda, Kaitlin knew that was the place for her to help. Kaitlin’s wish became a wish to help as many children as possible.
Through a donation made to Compassion Canada by the Children’s Wish Foundation, Kaitlin’s wish for a water well in a Ugandan village was realized. Sadly, it was only a few months later in May 2011 that Kaitlin surcame to her illness. It quickly became apparent that Kaitlin’s selfless wish had started something much bigger than even she could have imagined. Friends, family and the community at large rallied behind what is now referred to as “Kaitlin’s Wish”. Since then over $300,000 has been raised to support water projects in Uganda through Compassion Canada. Brenda Boyda, Kaitlin’s mother shares: “As a result of Kaitlin’s wish granted by the Children’s Wish Foundation and the subsequent support, more than 44,000 people have access to clean water”.
Brenda and a few of Kaitlin’s siblings recently had the opportunity to witness first hand the impact Kaitlin has had. A dedication ceremony for Kaitlin’s well, originally planned for last May but rescheduled due to political unrest, was held this March and was a village wide celebration including much singing and dancing! The entire village was there to celebrate the centrally located well that now allows children the opportunity to go to school instead of worrying about undertaking the daily trek for water several miles from their homes. “We were blown away by just how appreciative these people were of Kaitlin and for something as simple as clean water” says Brenda of their trip. The official name of Kaitlin’s well is UG446 Kabanda CDC, to identify it amongst the other water installments Compassion Canada has organized in the area, but for the community of Kabanda, it is simply known as Kaitlin’s Fountain of Love, a true reflection of exactly what Kaitlin was able to accomplish. And it all started with a wish.
