Support Girls and Women with Vocational Skills

 April/May 2023

Dear Friends,

I am not sure where to pick this from. Surely God’s time is the best. May month though, has been very very testing

Thieves attacked GLS on 5/05/23 Friday seriously hurting two staff: our deputy headteacher, Justus, and the school nightwatchman, Daniel. Their injuries were life threatening. Justus was in a coma for 4 days and the nightwatchman lost a hand and a mutilated leg which needs amputation. Both were admitted at Nsambya Hospital in ICU (Intensive care unit).  I am glad to inform you that Justus has greatly improved and has been advised by the doctors to take at least 6 months leave with regular visits every two weeks. Daniel’s situation isn’t good no-matter what doctors are doing. He is waiting for Leg Amputation process which sounds very scaring to him and his family because of financial issues and fear that this might completely take his life. I want to thank you friends for supporting with medical for these people and please understand that we still have a long way to go on Daniel and possibly on Justus. Daniel needs further 2.123M (£500)   .  (It will sound strange to many of you but all medical treatment is paid for, even if you are the victim of an assault and even if you are poor.)

Justus was attacked because they felt he had access to money. (He does not).  Where there is so much need those that have anything are targets. Our staff inevitably live under the shadow of this threat. Justus has been sponsoring his further education every school holiday from his monthly small salary. He has very little or nothing that remains in his pocket so indeed disappointing for thieves to come asking him money ending up beating him hard when he failed to produce it.   (What could he have produced anyway?) 

Some 12 new people have joined our congregation and continue to attend our Bible study sessions and main services. Sadly again, 6 were attacked during our main service by their old friends. They were all dragged to police. 5 were allowed Police bond and one in prison. I am trying to closely follow up on their story but all I know for now is that they had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal saviour. Some of those beaten were admitted to hospital.

The school has just opened from a month holiday since 29/04/23. However, the fear of the attack has an impact on the children to report in good number at school. Pray that some don’t consider moving to other schools. These incidences have a big effect.

We are so grateful for so much    Justus’s progress, Our secondary self-study children have resumed their serious studies , Our ex-student, now nursery teacher, getting further qualifications in western Ugandan safely returned from her holiday study , Our 5 secondary students on external schools have returned back to their normal studies Food provided , Farm progressing well   Requests; Funding for Secondary/further education, peace to the persecuted new converts, Gerald, another ex GLH,  sitting his final law exams

My WhatsApp number is +256770380342

Blessings,

James 

Ephesians 2:8-9    has been so special to me

Hello Lovely Supporters,

Hello Lovely Supporters,

October/November has been a very busy   month with lots of activities.

Our secondary 4 students and primary 7 sat for their UNEB exams in October/November months.

Let me focus on Isaac with big smile in the photo. He was born in 2008 in the outskirt of Kampala. When he was 2 he lost his parents when a strong wind hit a weak church building which fell on them when they had gone to pray.  Isaac survived. This story makes Isaac feel strong in faith as he believes that his parents’ last day were spent in the presence of God and so they should be in Heaven. Isaac likes football and frequently you will find him with wounds sustained from football matches but his dream is to become a photographer owning the biggest Photograph/Film company in the whole world! He completed primary 7 at GLS, waiting to join secondary one next year 2023. 

 Isaac first came to learn about the death of his parents at the age of 9 and was very unhappy for a while. We took time talking to him that Death is normal and all believers of Jesus Christ follows this step to eternity. He has grown in faith and sometimes he shares some scriptures in the church given the opportunity – though largely he is on photo taking exercises every time, learning a key board and a guitar as well. 

GLH children like Isaac really want to join secondary education after primary and many are asking what next uncle James? God knows but just believe that you have Secondary education next year 2023.  The secondary four students were very excited over what they wrote on papers/exams compared to those in the last years – They would like to go for A-Level if they did well. The questions remain, who will support their wishes/big dreams? One of the Older students ‘’ Gerald was generously supported by a friend to do his Diploma In-Law and currently finishing (June/2023) Bachelor’s degree in Law at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.  Praise the Lord that GLH will have a lawyer. Barbra will be finishing her Diploma in Accountancy, currently school bursar at GLS. These are good examples but then a very big stress   to GLH as they have set example beyond GLH ability.  

We have closed school term/year earlier than expected due to Ebola outbreak. Government told us to end school on 25 Nov, no things like party, etc. Sadly GLS didn’t held graduation function this year to keep the government rules.  (GLS is close to the city so there is more supervision from health department than for schools far from the city) School term opens next year 05/02 /2023.

Praise, Food provided, no serious illness, safety of the visitors, exams done /completed, Elijah passed well  

 Requests; Secondary/further education, Descent Christmas meals, child sponsorship, Health (Ebola issue) , success in examinations .

My WhatsApp number is +256770380342 to discuss any possible partnership

 Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and prosperous new year 2023

 Thankyou for working with us to the end of 2022 school year

Blessings,

James

July 2022

Dear Friends

I trust all is well with you. July has been a very busy month with children doing end of term two examination.  Subsequently the school bursar had a very big task to collect school fees which wasn’t possible from the poor community: there just is not surplus cash around. (We even sent the children, whose parents had not paid home, but then called them  back).

Second term has been one of the most difficult school terms especially as the prices of commodities has been seen rising everywhere. Schools have closed before their time due to food prices; a kg of maize flour has gone to 4,000= from 3,000 in June forcing most schools to close up since posho and beans are commonly used foods by schools. Charcoal’s price went high and we resorted to timber dusts (sawdust and shavings)but the cook never welcomed this idea because they produced a lot of smoke and little heat. Some schools have used this to reduce on the cost of charcoal but it doesn’t work at GLS.

This month I just want to focus on Tracy (photo from 2020).  Towards the end of our school term on 17-07-2022 some unknown people came in a numberless vehicle and abducted her.  Recall Tracy’s birth day is in 28/08/2018 and the devil had decided to take her life – one female teacher witnessed the incidence a long side other child. It is believed that the person in the car called Tracy by name and she responded going to towards the vehicle which started immediately. Who could this be? Police are investigating the matter but the good news is Tracy was dropped back at GLH after 5 days searching for her and some money taken by means of mobile money system. (When a child’s life is involved there are difficult decisions)

With increased commodity prices and many town hawkers being chased from the Kampala city,  violent theft has increased within the outskirts of Kampala, Kibwa inclusive.

So, please pray for peace and protection in these dangerous times

Everything, whether small or big, is a blessing when given in ‘’ love ‘’. Many thanks for being such a blessing to GLH otherwise we couldn’t meet such unexpected costs without your support.  After Tracy incidence, I decided to enter into prayers and fasting because I saw this as a direct attack from the enemy and so my apology to all my WhatsApp friends because I haven’t been communicating at all.

Blessings,

James

Dear Friends ,

It's now almost two months since the school started and children have been committed to their learning. They are focused on reading books, doing some simple maths exercise. Almost in all classes, for maths lessons, teachers have gone through Arithmetic -The four operations (+, - , x, -: ) when working out combination of operations, multiply or divide before adding or subtracting, unless there are brackets. Brackets must always be worked out first. It has been great to see the leaners moving ideas into many different areas. They are happy that school has reopened.

Do you remember Tracy? We got her at zero age from the Hospital when left there after being born, Some of our older girls have always treated her as their own child and her self recognises them as their mother. Tracy has started her nursery schooling, in Baby class now. She can sing – Oh baby Jesus, oh baby Jesus, as well as able to count from one to ten (1-10), Identify some domestic animals, Home Utensils like spoon, fork, plate, match box etc. Very bright baby girl. (The children are taught reading and writing in English not Kiganda)

The Older children continue with their self-reading and with some teachers coming in to help especially in science subjects- They have had Map reading exercise – able to use map to allocate different places, features, reading of grid references etc.

The children under guardianship are generally doing good under our support, we have been able to provide feeding, medical and security. The only problem they face is lack of beds to sleep on, so they sleep on the ground making their mattress get worn out so quickly.

There have been serious medical issues, children falling sick -flue, fever, headache, cough etc. We decided to bring in a doctor for some injections as the tabs seem taking long to cure . This is still on but we believe that God will see us through very soon for his glory.

Our regular food of maize and beans have been given and we thank the Lord for the provision.

Needed and received

i) Good health for all the children at GLH and S

ii) Peace and security at GLH and S. Payment of fees

iii) God’s provision as it has been for years (feeding, housing, medical support etc)

iv) Facilitation for the secondary school girls to remain in school.

v) For regular support with money and prayer. It averages out at around £25 per orphan per month. There are already some supported: it would be great if there were more.

vi) For physical and medical security.

But again, THANK YOU. So much has been achieved. “It has been a good Month” and that must be the understatement of the Month!

In prayer, James Mukiibi Mobile: 0759941493 Email: james.mukiibi@yahoo.com