Youth Encouragement Services
(Formerly Child Care Outreach) Quarterly Report
April 4, 2005To all of my friends, family and supporters,
The start of 2005 has been an exciting and encouraging time. The child care program is now under the Non-Government Organization called the Youth Encouragement Services. The Lord has honored this change and I thank Him for all that has occurred so far. I have a strong and dedicated board of directors who have been very helpful. The board consists of a Catholic Priest, an Anglican Priest, a doctor, a nurse a teacher and a housewife who is well educated. We were accepted as an NGO in November of 2004, but with one small problem. On our registration certificate our name was listed as youth “education” services instead of “encouragement.” This small mistake has caused much trouble. The bank I had been working with refused to open the account until the name was corrected and the NGO board is VERY slow in doing the correction. They are supposed to meet by this month. I have now found a bank that has opened the account with the promise of a copy of the certificate when it is corrected. If anyone now needs that information please email me.
I moved to a small, hot, noisy office in the first of January but I am grateful to have it while waiting for my new office. To this day I do not understand why, but within my second week there I received police harassment. I was told to come to the police station and bring all my documents that proved I was in the country legally. I brought my NGO papers, they never noticed the wrong name, and my work permit and passport. All they would tell me is that because of a call they were investigating me. After two visits at the station I thought things were cleared up but the next two weeks brought visits to the office by men claiming to be from the police and demanding money for being at the office. I refused and demanded explanations. I also then called some friends who are high up in the government. They wrote a letter to the police and I am now having no more problems.
I am happy to tell you that the organization, Send a Cow, is active now in my program. I had a visitor from England to see how we were doing and the local representatives from Kampala have been extremely helpful. Many prospective recipients of high quality goats have had extensive training from a local veterinary and are now preparing sheds. We hope they will soon be receiving their animals. I am very grateful for the help this organization is giving our families. On the same line we have set up several active families with pig and poultry projects from funds received from Christ Church in Kidderminster England. We also thank them for this funding. Our goal is to strengthen families to become self sufficient or at least to strengthen them with income that can be used to improve their general welfare.
In January I bought a new computer and projector. I am also now connected to internet for the first time. I am catching up with the modern world!!!! A dear friend from Hawaii helped me purchase this equipment and a lady from Canada very kindly carried it into Uganda for me. I picked it up some distance from my home in Fort Portal and while traveling back I stayed a day at Queen Elizabeth Park with my field officer and office assistant. I had a lovely day of playing tourist and now have a great machine that I can receive photos on and send them as well. My brother sent me a new digital camera as mine was stolen last year when the office was broken into at the diocese. I still have a lot to learn and hope that I can pick up some training when I am back in US.
The offices and hostel that I am building with funds from my late brother Bill, is coming up very fast. I was a bit ambitious and designed a building that will cost more than my money from my brother, but with some very generous donations from friends in Austria and Ireland, the first phase should be finished and be able to be opened. As for the second phase, I have faith that God will give me a way to continue building. I watch all of this happening and often feel I am in a dream. I praise and thank God daily for all that He is helping accomplish. I should be moving into my new office this month.
Lastly, I am very excited to tell you that I am taking a trip back home to Maui for a visit in June. I will first visit Ireland for a week and stop in California on my way to Maui. The tickets have been purchased and this is my itinerary:
May 26 ---- leave Uganda and arrive in Ireland the same evening.
June 3 ----- leave Ireland and arrive in Long Beach California the same day.
June 9 ----- leave Long Beach and arrive San Francisco
June 14 ---- leave SF and arrive Maui
July 6 ---- leave Maui and arrive Uganda the morning of July 9.
I am very busy with the daily challenges that come up with 530 students being assisted, finances to keep figured out, construction to oversee, meetings to be held and correspondence that is always behind. The second term of school will be underway by the time I leave and I hope to have things organized enough so that Rose and Grace will not have many problems with things while I am gone. I am so excited about this trip and I hope that I will be able to see many of you in person.
Let me close saying that I thank God for each of you. I often feel lifted with your prayers and love. Your financial contributions have touched many many lives and have made such a difference. Children who would never have had a chance are now looking to their future with joy and optimism. Ladies who are dying with AIDs know that their children are cared for. Families who used to see no way to manage now have a pride of knowing that they are able to care for their own. May God bless each of you in a special way.
Love and thanks always,
Carol
