Wednesday we travelled through Kampala out to Watoto's Bbira orphan's village where, last year, we face-painted about 70 children in cluster 15. Watoto organise their orphan's villages into groups of 9 houses, one of which is lived in by a senior mother along with her 8 children.
The senior mother in cluster 15 Evelyn and her family welcomed us so much we wanted to come back. For us that relationship is really important. So many teams arrive at Watoto to serve (I know there were 72 last year alone), build homes and infrastructure, on medical missions etc. - and then go home mostly never to return.
We reckon it's important to invest our time into the same relationships and the same group of people - the 72+ children (72 children in the cluster but others were drawn in!) know there are people from Europe who remember them and want to be with them again. We think that speaks more of God's love than going to meet other familys for a brief time.
We arrived and Evelyn came to meet us off the bus to tell us that the mothers were ready. We were there to give the mothers in cluster 15 a break from their chores...and more.
Sonia and Nicole (my wife and team co-leader), both being mothers, were to lead the ladies in a devotion (The Pathway to Peace, R Hickson), wash their feet, give them pedicures and manicures, foot and hand massages etc. We wanted to honour them and their dedication. This was rounded off with the gift of a Pamper Pack containing items listed on a previous post (and I think more items have been added too!). As one mother was not as proficient in English a mother translated into Luganda, the tongue of the Ganda, the largest tribe in the Kampala area.
Meanwhile, their children followed the rest of us to the football pitch, sodden in places with the previous nights rain which is next to an all purpose hall open with 2 arches on either side.
It was here we set up the chairs for face-painting, under a tree overlooking the field. Footballs were pumped up and parachute unpacked. The children love to have their picture taken so they can see their painted faces. Enjoying attention they were constantly tugging our arms leading us to somewhere, wanting to be picked up.
The parachute was not new to them - the older children helped me to keep the younger ones from getting overexcited (the small soft balls intended for parachute games were being thrown between children with some force!) and we had some great fun.
From time to time older children would ask us where we're from and said they'd visited England, Scotland and Sweden on their tours when they were younger. The choirs are an important part of the Watoto model. Not only do they want their orphanage model to be as far removed from an institution as possible by creating families where children can learn to interact with siblings, they also use the phrase "Rescue a child, Raise a leader, Rebuild a nation" - they want their children to have opportunities for travel, experience and be culturally aware - of course it also serves to fundraise the necessary resources to recruit sponsors and to mobilise teams like ours.
When we broke for lunch (the older siblings had to strongly encourage the younger ones to go to their homes) we waited outside one of the houses as the mamas came from within Evelyn's house. They were beaming and all had their Pamper Packs over their shoulders. Each bag been hand-painted and personalised.
Evelyn explained that the sessions were VERY welcome - the mamas had been going through some personal issues including bereavement. They had been praying for peace and to have that time of fellowship and relaxation came at the right time.
Sonia and Nikki have left this experience humbled. The mama's prayers and worship left them with the distinct feeling it was they who'd been ministered to!
ALSO - Watch this space for blog posts by some of our team coming up!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
So much in such a short time...
Our orientation at Watoto Church took place on the morning of our second day. It gave Watoto an opportunity to explain their motivation and model and gave everyone in the team to visit the church and understand how grateful everyone is that we are there to spend our time with them.
We made a visit to Living Hope where our team met the women living with HIV who are trained in business and crafts so they can stay alive to support their children - by earning a living during training, being able to afford a good diet so their ARV drugs work. That way they can stay alive and not leave an orphan to be cared for.
But God had more for us...
Last year Nikki had a meeting of hearts with a lady called Rachel. Rachel has now graduated the program (July 15th just gone) and last week was finally asked to leave - there are so many ladies who need support - so places have to be made for them. Rachel is not the only one asked to leave we understand.
Rachel has gained the useful skills, has researched, booked and paid for a stall in a busy part of a market and has been given her sewing machine. She wasn't supposed to be at the project that day.
Except she had returned to pick up her sewing machine with which she would start her own business with a second-hand clothes stall as a front for people to discover that the stall is run by a seamstress - her USP - and it's over the next few months that parents search for new school uniform. But she is stuck.
When Nikki and Rachel recognised each other it was very emotional. They spent a great deal of time, just the two of them in the corner, whilst we all talked to the other ladies and saw their merchandise. There were many tears shared between the two until Nikki came over and explained Rachel's situation.
Rachel has the plot booked and paid for. She has the sewing machine ready to go...but she doesn't have the stock to get rolling. She is very worried about the next few months when school fees for her child are due (and Ugandan children are required to be in uniform - hence the urgency). Initially I was sceptical so I consulted the ladies overseeing the program and asked what they would suggest. They explained would be best if I asked her for a business plan, that we went through Living Hope so they could keep track on her and encourage her to stay the course - that they can be the bridge between a provider and Rachel - a link which is vital and so easily eroded through distance if left alone.
What will ensure her future is a secure as any of ours is £100 for second hand clothes to sell. I wonder if you're able to help? Perhaps to make a contribution so we can get her up and running? If so please email me HERE to make a pledge - I will deliver the money here and now and you can fulfil the pledge when we return. Does that sound OK?
At the same time we were trying to understand these issues, we were being pressed to decide how much we can commit to the Summer Camps next week. We managed to have a meeting crammed into Pastor Dora's office (who oversees the children's ministry in Watoto Church) and once we had email misunderstandings out the way and discussed how we can support them we had a clearer picture of our second week...
We're are now ministering in 2 sites fro the evening sessions - one of 600 children in Suubi where we built last year (the Gulu children will be joining them) and the other of 300 children in Bbira where we had a fun afternoon last year facepainting etc.
We'll be leading the worship and reinforcing the teaching in the morning with an object sermon (which I have learned is something that uses a prop and helps the children remember) - 15 mins worship and 15mins message.
We had withdrawn from it owing to the fact we have 6 children under 9 with us - but we're convinced that we should be doing it and are in a very good place about it - even though we're also delivering the medical checks for Viva during the day Weds-Fri next week.
Later that night we prepared for the first full mission day (which was today actually) but I'll have to bring you up to speed on that soon).
The head injury sub-plot: Dressing has been replaced and thankfully not as bad as I thought - our team are wonderful nurses and have treated me with kid gloves - even though they worked out I'm old enough to be their father...Ask them about "Dear Daddy God" and praying for dreams... ;-)
About Rachel...to help click HERE.
We made a visit to Living Hope where our team met the women living with HIV who are trained in business and crafts so they can stay alive to support their children - by earning a living during training, being able to afford a good diet so their ARV drugs work. That way they can stay alive and not leave an orphan to be cared for.
But God had more for us...
Last year Nikki had a meeting of hearts with a lady called Rachel. Rachel has now graduated the program (July 15th just gone) and last week was finally asked to leave - there are so many ladies who need support - so places have to be made for them. Rachel is not the only one asked to leave we understand.
Rachel has gained the useful skills, has researched, booked and paid for a stall in a busy part of a market and has been given her sewing machine. She wasn't supposed to be at the project that day.
Except she had returned to pick up her sewing machine with which she would start her own business with a second-hand clothes stall as a front for people to discover that the stall is run by a seamstress - her USP - and it's over the next few months that parents search for new school uniform. But she is stuck.
When Nikki and Rachel recognised each other it was very emotional. They spent a great deal of time, just the two of them in the corner, whilst we all talked to the other ladies and saw their merchandise. There were many tears shared between the two until Nikki came over and explained Rachel's situation.
Rachel has the plot booked and paid for. She has the sewing machine ready to go...but she doesn't have the stock to get rolling. She is very worried about the next few months when school fees for her child are due (and Ugandan children are required to be in uniform - hence the urgency). Initially I was sceptical so I consulted the ladies overseeing the program and asked what they would suggest. They explained would be best if I asked her for a business plan, that we went through Living Hope so they could keep track on her and encourage her to stay the course - that they can be the bridge between a provider and Rachel - a link which is vital and so easily eroded through distance if left alone.
What will ensure her future is a secure as any of ours is £100 for second hand clothes to sell. I wonder if you're able to help? Perhaps to make a contribution so we can get her up and running? If so please email me HERE to make a pledge - I will deliver the money here and now and you can fulfil the pledge when we return. Does that sound OK?
At the same time we were trying to understand these issues, we were being pressed to decide how much we can commit to the Summer Camps next week. We managed to have a meeting crammed into Pastor Dora's office (who oversees the children's ministry in Watoto Church) and once we had email misunderstandings out the way and discussed how we can support them we had a clearer picture of our second week...
We're are now ministering in 2 sites fro the evening sessions - one of 600 children in Suubi where we built last year (the Gulu children will be joining them) and the other of 300 children in Bbira where we had a fun afternoon last year facepainting etc.
We'll be leading the worship and reinforcing the teaching in the morning with an object sermon (which I have learned is something that uses a prop and helps the children remember) - 15 mins worship and 15mins message.
We had withdrawn from it owing to the fact we have 6 children under 9 with us - but we're convinced that we should be doing it and are in a very good place about it - even though we're also delivering the medical checks for Viva during the day Weds-Fri next week.
Later that night we prepared for the first full mission day (which was today actually) but I'll have to bring you up to speed on that soon).
The head injury sub-plot: Dressing has been replaced and thankfully not as bad as I thought - our team are wonderful nurses and have treated me with kid gloves - even though they worked out I'm old enough to be their father...Ask them about "Dear Daddy God" and praying for dreams... ;-)
About Rachel...to help click HERE.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Now...I didn't want to do that...
I wasn't expecting a delayed or jeopardised departure. Having managed to get everything into our car (having borrowed a roof box at the last minute) whilst having a refreshingly civil chat with next door I went to close the car boot triumphantly and with a flourish. We were now ready to leave on our way to Heathrow!
I thought I was standing clear of it...but I wasn't. The corner of the boot door landed with some force on my forehead. I cowered with the pain only seconds before a gush of blood trailed down newly torn skin.
Rats.
Steve, our next door neighbour took me to the minor injuries unit where we sat for an hour before being seen. However, though borderline on needing sutures, the deft nurse flushed, sterilised, glued and steristripped me every which way and allowed me to fly.
Nikki was a rock star of telecommunications co-ordinating team members, donors of stuff we were picking up at Heathrow to take to Watoto, parents, friends and supporters so that all would be well and that we'd make the flight.
Which we did.
I have avoided looking at the wound which currently has really gimpy patches covering half my forehead and I have fielded jokes concerning the letter V (for Volvo, Victory...I'm awaiting ventriloquist, virtual.....) which is the shape of it apparently - corner-like. Two days and the gimp-patches are off and if no infection, should be well on the way to healed.
To self: Muppet.
I'm resting now whilst the rest of the team go to change money, have a lunch at Cafe Java's and go the Bulrushes to play, feed, change and love on the babies that have been rescued from many different situations. Oh and checking out the internet access...
We have many bags with us - pamper packs for the Watoto Mama's, toys and games for the Watoto and Viva project children, and the medical supplies for the Viva work in the latter half of next week - 39 bags in all!
The Watoto guest-house is, well....very different from our accommodation last year - in such a good way. Thank you to Brenda at Watoto for planning this for us - it makes such a difference with children - and they all seem to be getting on very well.
Orientation tomorrow, a visit to Living Hope and some craft markets as another acclimatisation day for those who're here for the first time - then we plan the fun/love ministry to the first cluster of homes for Wednesday - 72 children (plus those from other clusters that see it and join in) and 9 Mamas - we figured it was usually the children who get visiting team's attention so we thought we'd bless and encourage those who care for them.
Love being back...dare I say it feels like home?
Monday, August 8, 2011
Viva Projects - Health Check Mission
For three days this trip we're going to provide some basic health checks and give some teaching to the children about hygiene and teeth-cleaning. Basic height, weight and temperature checks will be recorded on percentile charts. Last time this was carried out Viva discovered a few children needing urgent attention were discovered - mainly for Malaria.
Many of these children won't ever have had these carried out and it'll be a great experience for our nurses who'll be able to interact with the children as they carry out the tests.
We're hoping to encourage the projects to continue this kind of check regularly. We'll take some paper to hang on the wall so they can check the growth of the children from time-to-time. Something ALL children like to do is see for themselves how much they're growing.
Mim has identified 3 projects which we'll talk about in the coming posts - these are very different in scale from Watoto and unfortunately don't as yet benefit from the same level of resources. We're very glad to be serving these wonderful projects who do so much with so little.
To give to this effort (or to provide for other children in the VIVA project networks) please consider this channel HERE.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Now there's only 7 days to go!
It has been HECTIC! But I can almost taste Ugandan pineapple! And it's a taste you'll remember. We have a most excellent team -
The Pottages - Tim, Sonia, Joshua (5) and Sienna (3)
Danielle Kundert
Grace Pickett and
Ellie Gallienne.
Oh - and the six of us in the Clarkie Clan.
These three ladies above are wonderful student nurses from Oxford Brookes University who'll be carrying out (a few hundred at least) medical checks with children in the Kampala slums. More of that later.
Amidst the packing boxes of our house move (!) we've cleared a corner for our Uganda packing.
There are more than 18 pamper packs prepared for Watoto Mamas. Nicole and Sonia have blagged and bought the following for each of these bags:
1. Bed sheets
2. Pants
3. Lush and Body Shop stuff
4. Nail polish, remover and nail file
5. Sanitary towels
6. Impulse body sprays
7. Devotionals
8. Vaseline (they use a lot of it for dry skin)
All packaged in a hand-painted bag with a particular scripture for each one. Nikki has been seeking God for each design and when the design has taken form a scripture has been brought to her mind.
We've also bought (with some of the record-breaking £500 cake sale at church) a parachute and facepaints so we can have some serious fun with the 72 children in a home-cluster whilst the mothers in our team (er...Nikki and Sonia) minister love and affection to the 9 Mamas.
The good news is that we have 5 adults to co-ordinate the parachute games and facepaint, play football etc etc. this year.
So we're set for the first stage of the mission (except perhaps to buy a few giveaway toys from ELC etc.).
More will unfold in the next few days about what we're going to do there - but if you'd like to give to Watoto please see the JustGiving part of our site to the right OR to the medical checks for 1000 children attending Viva projects in the slums then please go HERE.
The Pottages - Tim, Sonia, Joshua (5) and Sienna (3)
Danielle Kundert
Grace Pickett and
Ellie Gallienne.
Oh - and the six of us in the Clarkie Clan.
These three ladies above are wonderful student nurses from Oxford Brookes University who'll be carrying out (a few hundred at least) medical checks with children in the Kampala slums. More of that later.
Amidst the packing boxes of our house move (!) we've cleared a corner for our Uganda packing.
1. Bed sheets
2. Pants
3. Lush and Body Shop stuff
4. Nail polish, remover and nail file
5. Sanitary towels
6. Impulse body sprays
7. Devotionals
8. Vaseline (they use a lot of it for dry skin)
All packaged in a hand-painted bag with a particular scripture for each one. Nikki has been seeking God for each design and when the design has taken form a scripture has been brought to her mind.
We've also bought (with some of the record-breaking £500 cake sale at church) a parachute and facepaints so we can have some serious fun with the 72 children in a home-cluster whilst the mothers in our team (er...Nikki and Sonia) minister love and affection to the 9 Mamas.
 |
| This is us last year - many of the children were new to the village. |
The good news is that we have 5 adults to co-ordinate the parachute games and facepaint, play football etc etc. this year.
 |
| One of the many tigers! |
So we're set for the first stage of the mission (except perhaps to buy a few giveaway toys from ELC etc.).
More will unfold in the next few days about what we're going to do there - but if you'd like to give to Watoto please see the JustGiving part of our site to the right OR to the medical checks for 1000 children attending Viva projects in the slums then please go HERE.
Friday, June 3, 2011
72 days to go...
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...
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...
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Missions are GO!!!
It was so great on Missions Sunday to meet so many interested to join us - adding to those we have already spoken to and those who've already confirmed they'll be joining the team to Uganda - whether to minister in Watoto or in the Viva projects.
Bishop Zac was inspiring - you can hear his sermon HERE.
For further information:
For Watoto you can read my blog from last year HERE;
Or you can click on Watoto's website HERE.
For the Viva projects, please visit their blog to learn stories of lives changed HERE or their website HERE.
Bishop Zac was inspiring - you can hear his sermon HERE.
For further information:
For Watoto you can read my blog from last year HERE;
Or you can click on Watoto's website HERE.
For the Viva projects, please visit their blog to learn stories of lives changed HERE or their website HERE.
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