August 2004

Dear Friends of Child Care Uganda,

It's been a long time since many of you have heard any news from us here in Fort Portal, I would like to start by thanking God who has led all of us to this eight month of 2004. For me it seems as if time is going at a very fast rate.

On a personal note the year started with sadness with the death of my brother Bill in Alabama. I flew there early in January to see to some details of his burial and belongings. While there I picked up a flu that hit me harder than the frequent malaria attacks I get in Uganda. While I was there we lost another mother in the program to AIDS.

Not long after returning thieves broke into the office and stole a desk top computer that we had recently purchased as well as my digital camera, surge protector and electrical devices connected with computers and 500,000 in cash. These thieves spent about a week breaking into many places in that area including stealing a wheel from a vehicle parked under the Bishop's window at his home. Different armed guards were hired and things seem quiet again.

On a much happier note we have been privileged to have many visitors this year. The Pierson College of Canada had a wonderful group of students who helped in many many ways as well as becoming good friends. They build several houses in a local mud and wattle style as well as tutored older students and took several older students on a six day climb up Rwenzori's highest mountain, Mt. Margarita. That was an experience those students will never forget. Sebastian from that group took a keen interest in an NGO that I am forming and helped very much with writing the constitution as well as a large financial contribution. The group also sponsored two families that were on a waiting list and helped strengthen them with projects and school fees. These students will be remembered by many students and all of the staff for a long time.

Within the same time frame, I had the Hoefnagels family from Canada visit me in my home. That was a wonderful time for me having the three older children as well as the parents to fellowship with and enjoy. They brought a football ministry with many balls and uniforms. The orphans were ministered to with the Gospel message and a lot of good fun playing football and jumping ropes that were also given by the Hoefnagels. They also contributed funds to build a home and spent several days working on constructing the home.

Four Irish girls who are student teachers have just left after spending time at a local teacher's college. They were very generous and donated many items including blankets, mosquito nets, hoes, sauce pans, clothes, pens and books as well as ten bicycles. Their huge donation is touching many of our orphans. We are also enjoying sixteen Irish young people who are evangelizing and sharing experiences with many people of the Rwenzori region. I only wish that I had more time with this inspiring group of young people. Ireland has sent many people here and I personally had an Irish lady, Joanne, stay a week with me two weeks ago. She got a glimpse of the program and helped me in writing some needed letters for the NGO that I am working on forming.

Along with the many visitors the program also received a huge gift of bicycles from Christians of Waipuna Chapel in Maui Hawaii. We ended up getting over thirty bikes with their donations. Many students walk huge distances daily to school and these bikes will make it possible to study more and be able to finish school with strong results. Education is the future and way out of the terrible poverty these kids have been born into.

The Send a Cow organization is also becoming involved with the Rwenzori Child Care and is training and providing goats and chickens to many families. Christ Church of Kidderminster England has also donated funds to assist in establishing agricultural projects. With all of this help we pray that many families may get stronger and also have improved nutrition. The St. John's Church in Oakland, California is continuing to support many orphans and also is actively involved with out scholarship scheme. This program sends many secondary students to school. It is an ongoing program that needs much funding three times a year during start of term. There are now 148 students receiving 60,000 or more a term. The funds for this comes from non designated gifts. Along with the scholarship students we have the sponsored families. There are 114 families being assisted with this program. We have had to close the program to new applications because we struggle to maintain the families now assisted. There are donors who because of personal situations no longer are able to continue with their families and these are the families we give to new donors. It is heartbreaking sending away many people weekly who come seeking help. We hope that as we strengthen families they might be weaned from the program leaving help for others. Unfortunately many of the mothers are weak with AIDS and many children are being left completely alone. These children need assistance right through their school years.

Lastly on this rather long newsletter let me share more about the NGO that I have referred to. My late brother Bill left me some money from an insurance policy. I prayed much about how to best use this money. God has given me a large vision. I am forming an NGO, which is a Non Government Organization, that allows for funds and things to be received within the country tax free. This NGO will have several goals. I am building a girl's hostel that should generate funds to help run other parts of the program. Many children are not strong academically and we hope to developed different types of vocational training. To do this I am building the hostel two storied and the second story will have a computer room, library and large training room. There will also be a self contained apartment for visitors who come to assist on the program. We hope to be able to better use the offers of these visitors to teach many young orphans more about the world. Meeting and learning from visitors from around the world should broaden their view. I pray to be able to get equipment to show films to many orphans on all subjects including evangelization. Also within the same property I hope to be able to construct a hospice for HIV/AIDS positive children. This year alone two children have died in horrendous conditions. My prayer is for them to have a place of love where they may also learn about God's love for them. This is, as I said, a huge vision but with God, all things are possible. The money from my late brother will build the hostel and God has already found a beautiful piece of land that I bought at a good price.

As you can imagine, I am very busy all the time. My prayer is that God will send someone who might share this vision and assist me with it. I have only one field worker and one office assistant at this time and as things continue to expand in so many directions I am finding it hard to properly keep up with all the work. I apologize to many of you who have not been hearing about your family/child or the program in general. I also pray for someone who may feel led to assist in Europe in coordinating funds, both Euros and pounds. Many people are asking about how to send money from Ireland, Italy and other places and I really do not know how they can do that. If any of you have suggestions I would be grateful.

Let me end by saying that God continues to amaze me with His provisions in all needs and I am confident that He will continue His work here in Western Uganda. I thank Him for allowing me to be an instrument in this work.

May God bless and be with each of you.

Carol Adams

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