So much has moved on since we last posted.
1. We have formed the team (and what wonderful people they are!)
2. We have booked our flights!
3. We have started fundraising...
If you'd prefer to support VIVA then please click HERE
If you'd prefer to support Watoto please click HERE
For Watoto we're helping to lead their Summer Camp for children aged 8-12. Nikki and I are teaching one evening session and we're leading worship every evening.
The student nurses are going to be doing health checks on children outside Watoto too - working alongside VIVA as they support a number of projects in Kampala. In Watoto they'll be joining the medical team serving the Summer Camp.
We're also meeting Bishop Zac, Bishop of Kampala - he spoke at our church on Missions Sunday back in November (see last post as a link to his message is there).
He and others are championing foster care as the only lasting solution to the orphan crisis in Uganda. The evidence of study supports his view and I have been greatly impressed by the impact Casa Viva is having in Costa Rica - self-sustainable, scalable and effective solution to the care of children at risk.
But I can't help thinking that whilst this is an ideal - what can be said for the millions who need safety now - RIGHT NOW?
Zac expressed concern too for children in an orphanage model - that when they graduate there'll not be the opportunities for them to keep them from falling - now that is an interesting challenge to us all.
I have read that years of colonial rule replaced with tribal conflict post independence has not instilled the inner confidence and belief to change their destiny (and I have to say I cannot personally speak for all Africa with her beautiful diversity and my lack of experience so far).
However, hope can be seen...
We met an Australian last year who devised a method of making bricks from the earth. He builds homes for orphan families. He has handed this business over to Ugandans (in Jinja I think) in order that they can continue to teach and train others in this cost-effective building method because he noticed many were seeing their success and wanted to do the same.
Our experience of Watoto has been a VERY positive one. The people and the church have been very good to us and Myriam and her family seem as well as they can be. As for opportunities for the future many have gone onto employment and we know of one young man who graduated Makerere University with a law degree. He is now studying for the bar.
So we go with a heart to learn and a heart to be stretched.
And there is still lots to do!
Preparing the medical resources, tests, legacy so that those we leave behind can carry on the work, and fundraising.
Until next time...
