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Spring
2016 Edition
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From
the President’s Desk
By:
Mary Linette, USA Team
I
bring you greetings from all of our dear friends in Uganda, Africa!!!
I see that each time I travel, the people there feel more connected
to you. They ask questions about you and your families, your life in
America, and about things that are important to you. They ask about
you and then in turn, I tell you about them! Both sides win!
While
in Uganda, I spent the first 3 ½ months trying to get our FOLA cargo
shipment of goods released from the Ugandan government. Since a lot
of my personal belongings were in that shipment, I found myself
literally “living out of my three suitcases” at our Children’s
Home for those months. It is in these circumstances that you find
you can live on very little!! Dr. Gilbert, Cissy, and the whole
Children’s Home crew did a very excellent job of taking care of me.
I
was in Uganda for a total of 5 ½ months, but had to cut my stay
short to come back to the USA for a medical emergency in my family.
God had taught me many years ago "what good is it if you save the
whole world and yet lose your family." God created the family unit at
the time of creation in Genesis 2:24 and hopefully our lives will end
here on earth in the presence of our family and loved ones.
I
found being “on the ground” in Uganda to be very valuable and
necessary in bringing sustainability to our FOLA work. 1) We were
able get our shipment released. 2) Updated our policy and procedures
and made improvements on the FOLA Uganda side where needed. 3)
Added, implemented procedures, and trained two new FOLA Uganda staff
members to help ease the load Dr. Gilbert and Cissy have carried in
FOLA. 5) Learned the importance of balancing my travel time between
USA and Africa.
Ministry
Updates:
We
are so very thankful to the Lord for the shipment of supplies that
were donated to FOLA. It left Indianapolis, IN on May 10, 2015 and
arrived in Uganda, Africa on July 10, 2015. From that date and until
when it was finally released by the Ugandan government on January 8,
2016, Dr. Gilbert, Pastor Isaac, and I spent more time and effort on
getting it released than we care to remember. The requirements to
clear the shipment changed, without notice, at any given moment.
Each day I was promised that it would be cleared and released “that
day” and each day it did not happen. But God created a miracle and
we truly saw His hand of deliverance. They did actually get tired of
“seeing” the mzungu (white) woman in their offices day in and day
out.
Included
in the shipment were many office and school supplies for our Mercy
Junior School. Children’s clothes, shoes, and toys were also
included in the shipment, along with many kitchen, bathroom, and baby
items, baby cribs, baby clothes, baby bottles, diapers, and wipes
for the Children's Home.
My whole apartment set up was also included
in the shipment. What a blessing it all was!!! Thank you, Pastor
Pam, and all those who gave towards it.
The
sheer excitement at the Children's Home when the shipment was finally
released was awesome and made it all worth it. The children
and caretakers loved their new bunk beds, mattresses, sheets,
blankets, pillows, and towels, etc. They jumped up and down in wild
jubilation, as they never had anything like that before!!!
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Updates
By:
Dr. Gilbert Birungi, Africa Team
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Momma
Mary spent almost 6 months in Uganda, Africa this time. Since she
stayed long, she had more new experiences. We thank God for the
compassionate heart He gave her and how He helped her endure all
living conditions here in Africa. Unfortunately, she had to go home
though when we still needed her, but we know and are thankful that
she will return.
During
her stay, we were able to work hard with the Ugandan government to
release the container that FOLA donated to the Children’s Home and
Mercy Junior School. While Momma was here she enjoyed African food,
participated in digging in the garden, and also cooking Africa style.
Many people had fun with her. A group of women from church had a
fantastic time with her when she arrived. One of the interesting
things they did was to give her an African name called “Kwagala”
which means LOVE.
While
she was here, we were able to do four medical missions in different
remote villages, where over 2,500 people were given free treatment.
Also, numerous medical surgeries have been done. We urgently need to
build a non-profit medical clinic. This clinic can grow into a
hospital.
I
cannot forget talking about Momma Mary being a friend to many
children. By the time she left, whenever she would pass along the
road, all the children would start singing “Momma Mary, Momma Mary”
and begin waving to her. Sometimes, she would even give them candy.
We
are still believing to achieve all the projects FOLA is involved in,
such as the projects at Mercy Junior School and the Children's Home.
To help reduce food costs, we are believing God for farmland that we
could purchase to plant food for the school and Children's Home.
(Please see the article at the end of this newsletter for ways you
can help us purchase the needed farmland.)
FOLA UGANDA STAFF ADDITIONS:
We are very excited to announce that we added several FOLA Uganda staff members to our team. Isaac Nyanzi, whom I have known for about three years, was added as our new Sponsorship Director. He is very faithful, has a servant’s heart, and a great love for FOLA.
Also, we have added Robert Wafula as our new FOLA Uganda Administrator. He will assist Dr. Gilbert and Cissy in overseeing our work in Uganda. He is a dedicated and submissive young man, who does an excellent job of carrying out FOLA’S vision.
This year Mercy Junior School began another grade (Primary Five), which meets in our church, as we have already outgrown our school. Our major need this year is construction of a permanent building which would include more classrooms, a library, dining hall, and an indoor kitchen. In Uganda our schools educate Kindergarten through Primary Seven (7th grade), so each year our children move up another grade. Since we added another class, we are lacking a classroom where to study from. Our school has grown from 140 students to 170 students, which means we have added a new teacher and have increased monthly expenses.
We are so blessed for the tremendous work that FOLA has done for the past three years here in Uganda. I want to extend my heartfelt appreciations to all people who have supported us through FOLA by giving donations, sponsoring children, giving to water projects, and supporting medical surgeries and medical missions. You are a big blessing to us. We love you so much. Together, we can make a difference!
Dr. Gilbert Birungi
Uganda
Uganda
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Mercy
House Children's Home
By:
Mary Linette, USA Team
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Our
Children’s Home is a very busy place. From early morning until
late at night, it is buzzing with lots of activity. There is a lot
of manual labor to be done included digging on the land, lots of
laundry and housework, and many meals to prepare. Dorovico, David,
and Norah do an excellent job of seeing that all things run smoothly.
In
early morning hours, you may find Dorovico and David digging up the
garden soil by hand and planting seedlings, while you can find Norah
and Denavensi scrubbing the floors or preparing food. Of course,
preparing food in Uganda is not at all like preparing food here in
the USA…no microwaves, fast food or already prepared meals
purchased at the grocery store. All foods are prepared from scratch
and take countless hours to prepare, as much of it is prepared out
over an open fire and/or on a single gas tank burner. They eat very
basic things as rice and beans, cassava, posha, Irish potatoes and
possibly a vegetable or fruit.
The children are very well behaved and get along very well together. Some evenings, you might find them out in the back yard praying together or a couple of them beating on make-shift drums and singing and dancing to Christian praise and worship songs. They are such an inspiration to me!!
The
children all have chores to do such as cleaning their rooms, washing
dishes, sweeping, cleaning up the yard, and washing their own
clothes. They love to play games! I taught them to play Chinese
checkers (they beat me about every time), along with some other
games, but probably the most favorite is when we play Duck, Duck,
Goose. They seem to go wild playing this game and play it with much
diligence and wild enthusiasm.
They
all do well and study hard in school. At least 3 or 4 of them this
past school year received awards for their excellence. They have
large goals such as becoming pastors, doctors, teachers, and lawyers.
One even wants to become an airplane pilot!
I
think back to October 2012 when we began the Children’s Home with
10 year old Denavensi and it makes me get a huge smile on my face, as
I see how far we have come. God has been so faithful to us! Our
children are growing up very fast and I thank God that they are very
obedient, hard working, and responsible young people.
I
noticed that when I got ready to come back to the USA this time that
they did not cry. They know Grandma Mary will be back....and they
know when she comes back, she will bring them candy! :)
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Medical
Missions
Dr.
Cissy Birungi, Africa Team
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~Robert’s Cry to Live~
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| Robert-very frail and malnourished |
I
had gone to the hospital to take some pictures and bring them back to
Momma Mary and the FOLA African team, but for any reasonable
intervention to be done, I decided that some pictures are best taken
by the human eye and stored in the photo gallery of the human brain.
So I arranged a day and took Momma Mary and Dr. Gilbert there to see
him. They were also shocked and deeply touched by the boy’s
situation. It was at this time that FOLA became involved and started
the process of saving this boy’s life.
In
the first week of January 2016, he was transferred to a
rehabilitation centre in Entebbe, Uganda where he continued to be
managed by a multi-disciplinary team of medical doctors, nurses,
nutritionists, physiotherapists, and plastic surgeons, etc.
Robert’s
mother is so very grateful to FOLA for helping restore her son to
life!
The
father has been put in jail for his part in injecting adult strength
medicine in Robert’s legs, which is what has caused him to lose his
one leg. Through this 8 month ordeal the mother has lost everything
she had. The only belongings they have fit into about a 50 lb feed
sack. FOLA is working to try to help get them standing on their feet
by helping to pay their house rent for the first few months, help
them buy a few belongings, and help establish a small business for
them, so they can earn an income.
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Mercy
Junior School
By:
Pastor Robert Wafula, Africa Team
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~Meet
Halima~
Halima
was born on November 4, 2005. She is 11 years old and is in Primary Five
class at Mercy Junior School. In the early days of this girl’s
life, her plight was succumbed by deadly situations which were too
much to bear. This is compounded by the fact that she was rejected by
her biological parents at the age of 3 and later was adopted by her
old and helpless grandmother. The hardest hit was when the girl was
infested by jiggers all over her feet and hands. Because of the
grandmother’s poverty, Halima did not receive any medical
intervention, thus leaving the child in a highly vulnerable
situation.
From
the time FOLA began their Relief Program in Uganda, Halima has been
profoundly affected. God was still preserving her life although those
were very difficult days both for her and the grandmother, who has
now passed away. Halima has now become an open book for the
community to read, especially to those people who saw her in her
initial stages. The following are facts regarding FOLA’s efforts
and the Relief Program toward this child: 1) The child had no hope
for education outside of FOLA. 2) She is now meeting all the school
requirements and dues. 3) Has at least three meals of food per day.
4) The child’s health has been steadily improving. 5) No more
tropical illnesses and diseases are her portion. 6) She has a better
shelter to lean on. 7) Because of her achievements, she now has hope
for a better future.
Conclusively,
never would anyone ever imagine the changes in Halima’s life. Her
life had been ruined and with no hope, her eyes closed to the other
side. It’s my appeal to everyone who comes across this message to
partner with FOLA in prayer and financially, thus giving children the
opportunity to get an education in Africa.
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Conclusion
By:
Mary Linette; USA Team
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With
your continuous support, these programs can continue to grow. In
2016, our goals are as follows:
- Build Mercy Junior School up to Primary 7.
- Expand Mercy House Children’s Home to take in additional orphans.
- Increase traveling Medical Missions and move towards having a pharmacy and medical clinic.
- Expand our farming initiatives to provide food and income for our school and Children’s Home.
- Start Micro Finance to help lift families out of poverty.
How
to Help
- Volunteer in America & Uganda.
- Donate items such as reading glasses (readers only), toothbrushes, and medical supplies.
- Support us when you shop! We are registered online at Amazon Smile (amazonsmile.com) and with Schnucks.
If
you would like more information on our programs, request a meeting or
presentation, or if you would like to become part of our USA Team,
please feel free to email us or call us at 812-430-6048. We would love to share with you!
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“Canaan
Farm Project”
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Did
you know FOLA currently farms 2 acres of land in Masindi to assist in
supporting Mercy House Children’s Home? Not only that, but in
Masindi we already have 6 pigs and 4 goats! We have been given a
prime opportunity to expand our “Canaan Farm Project.” There are
three phases to the project. Phase One is to purchase 20
acres of farmland. Masindi has very fertile soil, which will allow
us to grow staple crops such as beans, cassava, and maze (corn), etc.
Phase
Two of our goal is to build a storage building to store our grain
and supplies. We also want to add an additional room to house the
farm manager and a laborer. Phase Two buildings will be built on the
20 acres we want to purchase. With this project, we anticipate
providing an additional five laborers with jobs. They will assist in
the daily operation of the farm. We look to add additional animals
to the farm as a meat source for Mercy House Children’s Home and
Mercy Junior School. The manure from the animals would be used as
fertilizer for the fields. Phase Three is to add a fish pond,
so we can raise tilapia for consumption and also for selling
purposes.
By
growing animals and from the crops produced, we estimate that we will
be able to reduce the cost of food for our Mercy Junior School by
approximately 70-80%. This is comparable to $3,780 in savings per
year for our 170 students. Growing these crops would also
significantly reduce the cost of food at our Children’s Home.
With
your generous gift to the “Canaan Farm Project” your name will be
permanently displayed on FOLA’S wall as a legacy of your commitment
to this great project. Please earmark you gift “Canaan Farm
Project” and be sure to let us know what target area you would like
to give towards. WE ARE A 501C3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. YOUR
GIFT IS FULLY TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Thank you for partnering with God
and FOLA to help take care of the poor and needy in Uganda.
Please be sure to check our website fortheloveofafricaministries.com for updates on the progress of our "Canaan Farm Project."
Please be sure to check our website fortheloveofafricaministries.com for updates on the progress of our "Canaan Farm Project."
