A couple of days ago I met Esther, the wife of the Prime Minister of Uganda through a mutual friend here. This morning she she accepted my invitation and came on a private visit to Rock of Joy Children's Centre - the children and staff were very excited to have such a special guest and as usual the children greeting her saying they were "Fine, smart and organised". Esther was very impressed by all the developments at the school and the stories of the support and encouragement that we recieve from schools, individuals and churches in the UK. Pastor Steve was of course thrilled to show her round and talk about all that is happening. It was lovely to end the visit with Esther praying for the school and the work of The Kabanda Trust!
Gordon has now safely arrived and we are busy with all three schools. Yesterday we took delivery of 200 mosquito nets which are going to make an important difference to the boarding house and staff at all of the schools. Tomorrow we will start to distribute them and hold some health seminars for the teachers. In Lungujja they will sell some of the nets at a very low price to the families of the children. People are already coming to ask when they will be available. The nets will make a big difference to the health of the children and their families.
Tim Smythe, a young friend from Cheltenham has also safely arrived by bicycle. He has cycled from Cairo to Nairobi to raise money for Darfur and then from Nairobi to here in Uganda to work at Rock of Joy for a month. He has become a local hero for his long bike ride as no-one here has heard of such a thing before! people keep coming to inspect the bike and to hear the stories of the journey. Tim is now well stuck in teaching English to all and sundry, children and adults alike and seems to be having a great time.
This afternoon we will take supply of 30 clocks, one for each classroom so need to return to Lungujja for that :)
Time waits for no man - or woman and they need to be paid for on delivery!
Internet access is very restricted at the moment. Please keep praying for the Health House - we would like the lady to move out by Sunday 29 March .... watch this space!
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Saturday, 21 March 2009
New School visit
The computer access here this is very limited and very frustrating so I have given up. Today have come to a hotel in kampala and using theirs.
I have had a busy week visiting the schools - at Nansana Royal Primary there is a new head teacher, Madam Sylvia, who some people may remember as the deputy. We had a good time reviewing how things are going and already she is making some positive changes. Their chickens are finally laying the number of eggs they should be and they are saving some money from selling eggs...... hurrah at last !
On Thursday I visited the Child Care Center at Kakiri which is a new school we are supporting. Westwood First School in Leek, Staffordshire has linked with Kakiri. The headteacher Abraham greeted me wearing a stunning hat which clearly from school photographs is a permenant fixture :) I had not been to the school before and was carrying gifts of photographs and letters from the staff and children at Westwood. Abraham was very excited to recieve these and we then toured the school were he distributed the letters and photographs to the children and staff. We visited all 14 classrooms where the children politely stood and greeted me with "you are welcome our visitor, feel at home" they were then invited to tell me something about their school in English and so I learned that they have over 800 children, that their like their teachers, they enjoy learning English, they eat posho and beans for lunch. They are very proud of their school despite the fact that some of the classrooms have no windows, they sit 6 children to a bench to work and they have very few books.
Next week I am going back to deliver 80 mosquito nets to them some of whihc were paid for by money raised at Westwood First School. We are also going to provide them with a clock for each classroom and collect letters they are writing back.
My time on the computer has run out
love to all and thanks for your support. x
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Fine, smart and organised !
It is wonderful to be back - I am staying in Lungujja with Pastor Steve and his family. Monday morning started with a tour of the at Rock of Joy where I was proudly shown the new class rooms and concrete floors instead of soil which becomes mud when it rains. Each class stands and greets me by saying "welcome to Rock of Joy Childrens Centre - We are fine, smart and organised" - whihc they are! Smart in their new school uniforms and jumpers the Baby class were sitting at tables on small chairs and play with puzzles and threading beads. These children are tiny! and they crowded around to touch me and to be picked up smiling and shouting excitedly - I love it! They have created a new school hall from previous classrooms which means they have somewhere to sit to eat and for when it is raining. Lots of changes and exciting things going on.
The Health House to be is still occupied - the previous owners wife has agreed to go but so far no movement - the local council is involved and helping to move her but seems powerless to make it happen. This really does need resolving so please keep praying that she will actually go! <
The Health House to be is still occupied - the previous owners wife has agreed to go but so far no movement - the local council is involved and helping to move her but seems powerless to make it happen. This really does need resolving so please keep praying that she will actually go! <
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Prayer changes things
Several people have been asking for things to pray for. So if you would like to pray for the work of The Kabanda Trust , here are some pointers.
Gladys
Prayers would be much appreciated for Gladys, Pastor Steve's wife. She has been suffering from stomach pains since November and it is as yet unclear what this is. Gladys is the lynchpin of the family and it is difficult for them if she is under the weather.
Us
Last time we were there I spent most of the 2nd week in bed with bronchitis so prayers for safety, health & Gods protection as we travel & work would be much appreciated.
New School
In Oct last year Gordon & Richard(one of our trustees) visited another primary school which has 600 pupils - two school in Stoke are going to link directly with it .... next week I will be setting everything up so pray that all will run smoothly and that we will have wisdom about how to work with this school.
In terms The Kabanda Trust work in Lungujja before we go for which we would value prayers:
1) The Health House - last year we purchased a building to serve as a Health House for the school & community. It has a sitting tennant who so far has refused to move out - whilst we dont want to make anyone homeless we need this person to leave. The money for the purchase of this building was a real answer to prayer so it would be wonderful to see it freed up so that we can begin to use the building for its intended purpose and to benefit many people.
2) Please pray for Pastor Steve's as he manages a demanding role as the Pastor and as the Director of the school. As the school grows the demands of managing it take much of his time. Pray that he will have the strength & wisdom that he needs and that trustworthy and able people will stand alongside him in his ministry.
3) Building work - they are about to begin building brick classrooms rather than wooden ones. This is exciting as it is the fruition of a vision for a permenant school. The cost of the first phase of this is being paid for by a legacy we recieved and from the sale of the calendars. Pray that this goes to plan and that those working and the children are safe whilst the building work is taking place.
4) Money! Because of the current international financial crisis we are challenged by both the effects of the falling exchange rate and the rising costs in Uganda. This means that for every £100 we gave them last year we now need to find £130 just to keep our support at the same level. Pray that God will continue to graciously provide for the needs of these children.
A particular need is for people to become regular monthly givers and to stand with us in the work at Rock of Joy providing some stability in our finanaces.
5) Boarding House - pray for the safety & health of the chidlren who live in the boarding house and for wisdom for us & PS as we make decsions about its future. These are chidlren from the most needy of families several of whom have lost parents and family members from HIV/AIDs and are sufferers themselves. Also it is coming up to the Easter holidays which is always a challenging time - for some children there is no home to go to, for some the parents/carers dont turn up to collect them and for others life at home is difficult. PS ususally reports that many come back to school thinner & sick - prayers for these special children are especially needed :)
We are in a position to buy the house but the government has recently tightened up the boarding regulations and we need to understand and see how this will affect ROJ. Wisdom, understanding & sufficient money are needed + a co-operative vendor!
THANKS !!!
Heading off now :)
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Gladys
Prayers would be much appreciated for Gladys, Pastor Steve's wife. She has been suffering from stomach pains since November and it is as yet unclear what this is. Gladys is the lynchpin of the family and it is difficult for them if she is under the weather.
Us
Last time we were there I spent most of the 2nd week in bed with bronchitis so prayers for safety, health & Gods protection as we travel & work would be much appreciated.
New School
In Oct last year Gordon & Richard(one of our trustees) visited another primary school which has 600 pupils - two school in Stoke are going to link directly with it .... next week I will be setting everything up so pray that all will run smoothly and that we will have wisdom about how to work with this school.
In terms The Kabanda Trust work in Lungujja before we go for which we would value prayers:
1) The Health House - last year we purchased a building to serve as a Health House for the school & community. It has a sitting tennant who so far has refused to move out - whilst we dont want to make anyone homeless we need this person to leave. The money for the purchase of this building was a real answer to prayer so it would be wonderful to see it freed up so that we can begin to use the building for its intended purpose and to benefit many people.
2) Please pray for Pastor Steve's as he manages a demanding role as the Pastor and as the Director of the school. As the school grows the demands of managing it take much of his time. Pray that he will have the strength & wisdom that he needs and that trustworthy and able people will stand alongside him in his ministry.
3) Building work - they are about to begin building brick classrooms rather than wooden ones. This is exciting as it is the fruition of a vision for a permenant school. The cost of the first phase of this is being paid for by a legacy we recieved and from the sale of the calendars. Pray that this goes to plan and that those working and the children are safe whilst the building work is taking place.
4) Money! Because of the current international financial crisis we are challenged by both the effects of the falling exchange rate and the rising costs in Uganda. This means that for every £100 we gave them last year we now need to find £130 just to keep our support at the same level. Pray that God will continue to graciously provide for the needs of these children.
A particular need is for people to become regular monthly givers and to stand with us in the work at Rock of Joy providing some stability in our finanaces.
5) Boarding House - pray for the safety & health of the chidlren who live in the boarding house and for wisdom for us & PS as we make decsions about its future. These are chidlren from the most needy of families several of whom have lost parents and family members from HIV/AIDs and are sufferers themselves. Also it is coming up to the Easter holidays which is always a challenging time - for some children there is no home to go to, for some the parents/carers dont turn up to collect them and for others life at home is difficult. PS ususally reports that many come back to school thinner & sick - prayers for these special children are especially needed :)
We are in a position to buy the house but the government has recently tightened up the boarding regulations and we need to understand and see how this will affect ROJ. Wisdom, understanding & sufficient money are needed + a co-operative vendor!
THANKS !!!
Heading off now :)
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Wednesday, 11 March 2009
It's not fair
Earlier in the week I was at Belgrave Primary School in Longton, SOT, talking with J1 & 2 (year3). Sharing a very large bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk provided an excellent illustration - the first child got 1/2 the bar & shared half with their friend who got 1/2 to share with the next who had a 1/4 to share etc... you get the idea. Eventually its so small that it cannot be shared so it ends with somebody having only 1 square of CDM :( THATS NOT FAIR they cried in unison. Life is not fair - but then who ever said it was.
The notion of fairness was not lost on them, is it fair that we have a smart brick school with carpets on the floor, more books that we can shake a stick at, comfortable chairs, everything we need to help our learning, interactive white boards (what ever happened to black boards & chalk) and a wardrobe full of clothes at home? Whilst in Uganda although they have very little they are incredibly proud of what they have. It was inspiring to see 60 young children realise how fortunate they are in comparison and eager to know what how they help make a difference for the children in Uganda; so I left them enthused and excitedly planning.
And it reminded me of how exciting it is to go out to Uganda and particularly what a joy it is to spend time in Lungujja. Now I am starting to long to see our dear friends, to catch up with everything and to meet the new children at Rock of Joy - the Baby class who will be sooooo excited to see us that they will jump up and down for joy.....
I cant wait :) Bring it on .......
The notion of fairness was not lost on them, is it fair that we have a smart brick school with carpets on the floor, more books that we can shake a stick at, comfortable chairs, everything we need to help our learning, interactive white boards (what ever happened to black boards & chalk) and a wardrobe full of clothes at home? Whilst in Uganda although they have very little they are incredibly proud of what they have. It was inspiring to see 60 young children realise how fortunate they are in comparison and eager to know what how they help make a difference for the children in Uganda; so I left them enthused and excitedly planning.
And it reminded me of how exciting it is to go out to Uganda and particularly what a joy it is to spend time in Lungujja. Now I am starting to long to see our dear friends, to catch up with everything and to meet the new children at Rock of Joy - the Baby class who will be sooooo excited to see us that they will jump up and down for joy.....
I cant wait :) Bring it on .......
Monday, 9 March 2009
Journey on
But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbour, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously— take God seriously. (Micah 6v8 The Message)
Remember good old Father Abraham? He left comfort and security because he was asked to and set out into the unknown. In short - he trusted God, God honoured him and vast numbers of people were blessed because of it. Love it! A timely reminder for me - with only one week to go before the next trip to Uganda I am struggling with the challenge of moving out of my comfort zone, so I need to hear that God honours and blesses my steps of faith and there is no choice - I must go :)
Tim Hughes sums it up in his beautiful song
God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Came to serve and not to be served
And Jesus you have called us
Freely we've received now freely we will give
We must go, live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action, we must go.
To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us, what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
Fill us up and send us up and send us out Lord
Have a listen...... copy and paste http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbyHtq-2sGU
Remember good old Father Abraham? He left comfort and security because he was asked to and set out into the unknown. In short - he trusted God, God honoured him and vast numbers of people were blessed because of it. Love it! A timely reminder for me - with only one week to go before the next trip to Uganda I am struggling with the challenge of moving out of my comfort zone, so I need to hear that God honours and blesses my steps of faith and there is no choice - I must go :)
Tim Hughes sums it up in his beautiful song
God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Came to serve and not to be served
And Jesus you have called us
Freely we've received now freely we will give
We must go, live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action, we must go.
To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us, what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
Fill us up and send us up and send us out Lord
Have a listen...... copy and paste http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbyHtq-2sGU
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