Issue #6

Issue #6 – 21.08.08

AFRICAN ADVENTURES

WORK –

WORK ONSITE

The Care4Kids base is coming along so well – for those of you who don’t know, we only moved to this property at the beginning of the year, after the building team came over Christmas. We have gates painted, signs directing from the road are being organized (Bec is our sign painter), Lawrence (farmer) and the electrician have put extra lights all over the place for security, a water tank has been installed for the water pump, a space-efficient washing line is being made, there are signs on the dormitory and bathroom doors (“Girls” and “Boys”), and the medical centre has all its walls up. Sweet!

WORK-SHOPS

Business Workshop

At the beginning of August, Damian from Australia came to conduct a business workshop for the local community. We ran it at Wairaka Miracle Centre, where I pray from. Though only for a couple of days, it was a great time for people  from a variety of business backgrounds – from a taxi part owner, administrators, to tailors, and pig and chicken farmers – to come together and share and learn about cash flow, real costs, risk management, good and bad debt, book keeping, and more.

An example of something we learnt about Income:

Exercise: Sister has been selling make-up which she has a stock of 100 items. She sells 50 items per month and makes a profit of 200,000/= per month. With this she uses the whole 200,000/= to pay for her living expenses. What will happe  in 3 months time?

Answer: “She’ll be very beautiful!” [… and also won’t be able to buy more stock. ;-)]

A different sort of risk to what yours might be:

Paul Taligola, fisherman:

“What if I get eaten by a crocodile?”

Yep, that would be a problem.

‘Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make more money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.’

James 4:13-17

Christian Children’s Fund – Save for the Youth

On Monday 18^th August, 6 volunteers from CCF came to teach and be with our children. They taught on child rights, reporting, child responsibilities, child abuse, avoiding abuse, and hygiene. I was very impressed, and somewhat relieved, with how much the kids knew about their rights.

WORK-EXPERIENCE

Some of our sponsor children have completed school, and have very devoted sponsors who have taken them into further education. Claire Nabirye is doing Agricultural training at an industrial college, with only one year to go. The ISA staff were able to witness how much she’s learnt, as well as help her complete her training and learn from her, when we had her come for work experience on our farm this past month.

That concludes the work-s of the month…

…and there’s also time for fun and relaxing:

Iryama, Emily and Mukisa’s

massage line

Praise Reports:

-          You see the happy boy with Bec? That’s Mukisa. The one who had terrible jiggers (African Adventures 3). Some people from the village came to visit and couldn’t believe that not only were the jiggers gone, but he had toe nails not wounds, and was not only still alive but strong and healthy!

-          For the business workshop, which has informed and thus empowered people to use and combine their work skills.

-          For CCF and the influence these sorts of workshops have on the children’s learning, self-confidence, and variety of activities to do.

-          How well ISA Uganda is coming along!

What’s coming up and related Prayer Requests:

-          Bec’s enjoyment and health in her final 3 weeks in Uganda, and a safe journey home (via several countries).

-          There is an ISA team from Australia coming to Care4Kids, 15^th September – 3^rd October. This includes my friend, Andy; my boss Voula, who I have a great relationship with; and I get to meet others from the ISA Australia office, like the sponsorship volunteers Di and Di. I’m so excited! Please pray for preparation either side of the world, and for a good (productive, fun, eye-opening) time here.

-          We’re soon taking in more children, as there is great need, which requires more sponsors and donations. ISA has a really good system where extra costs of maintaining the home, administration, staff wages, and the like are covered by income from some buses (matatus) we own. The aim is that ISA Uganda increases in its self-sustainability – i.e. self-supports – but for now it’s still young and needs a lot of input.

-          Health. There are a lot of us living in the same building, so sickness can be quick to spread. Please pray that we, staff and children, have high immune systems and quick recovery.

-          Continued advancement of ISA’s work in Australia and Uganda. We’re doing well, but everyone needs more wisdom and protection. Please pray for ISA policies, funds, unity, and general well-being.

-          Hope Community High School is being built! This is going to be a quality high school that doesn’t charge orphans school fees, which is the major hindrance to them being educating and so breaking out of the vulnerable position they’re in. Please pray for funds, good building material prices, and the right people to work.

Thank you and be well!

Emily