Mood:  happy

Hi There!

My name is Emerald Russell. I have been living in Fort Portal, Uganda, and volunteering for Carol Adams at Youth Encouragement Services for the past 6 months. I wanted to introduce myself to all of you, and send out my gratitude for your support of Carol's programs.

I cannot begin to explain how impressed I am with the effect your support, via Youth Encouragement Services, has had on this community. I primarily focus on Y.E.S.'s newest project, Manna Rescue Home, which is a home for 30 orphans living with HIV/AIDS. Although I am often focused on the children there, I have had the opportunity to meet many of the current students, and even past graduates of the Y.E.S. program. I am often inspired by their stories, and it is wonderful to meet young people who genuinely use the opportunities, provided by you and Carol, as a foothold to begin their path to success.

Beyond the kids in the Y.E.S. education program, I have had the opportunity to meet with many needy families who have been supported by many of you. Again, I would like to convey my gratitude. I have been floored by the reactions of some of these community members, who don't see your support as a handout that will keep coming, but instead as an opportunity to get them started on their own path to financial stability and support for their families.

With the opening of Manna Rescue Home (MRH), things at Y.E.S. have been extremely busy! The Y.E.S. staff continues to provide support to the appx.375 children now in the Y.E.S. program, as well as focus on the large challenge of the Rescue Home. MRH provides all food, medication, educational, and emotional support needed for the 30 kids living at the home. Although MRH requires more time and effort from the Y.E.S. staff than ever before, it has proven to be extremely successful and worthwhile. We have seen tremendous improvements in the health of many of the children. Most of the children came from extremely poor home environments, where they were often stigmatized and abused because of their illness. At MRH the kids receive group counselling, and personal counselling when needed. It is amazing to know that these wonderful children finally feel welcomed, have a sense of belonging, and even a bit of normalcy.

Right now a group of Irish volunteers are with us, representing their church community which has done a considerable amount of fundraising. Thanks to them, a vehicle was purchased last week for the Rescue Home. This will allow us to take children to the hospital at night when emergencies arise, take the children to school when it is raining, and take them on occasional trips to the many beautiful and exciting places that Uganda offers. Beyond purchasing a vehicle, these volunteers are working hard with a local crew to build a play-ground for the MRH children. The kids are having a blast watching it all come together, and soon they will be able to play on it every day.

Y.E.S. is also in the middle of a very exciting computer project. An Irish organisation, Camara, has teamed up with Mountains of the Moon University, here in Fort Portal. This program provides refurbished computers and trainers, as a form of community outreach and empowerment. Y.E.S. recently received 20 computers, has set them up at the office/hostel site, and will soon provide computer classes to students on the program.

Because I am often searching for new donors for the Rescue Home, I am rarely in contact with the original Y.E.S. program's extended family. So thank you very much for allowing me to introduce myself.

Again, I cannot fully express my gratitude to each of you for the role that you play in the Y.E.S. program. I know that some of you make large financial sacrifices to contribute to Y.E.S., some of you have dedicated a lot of time, and some of you make occasional contributions which aren't much of a burden. I want to impress upon you that regardless of your level of support and commitment, what you are doing, be it small or large, is making a world of difference for one or more Ugandan orphans. For those of you who have been able to visit Fort Portal, I think you will agree with me in saying that Carol's program really does have a ripple effect. For each of you who sponsor a child in school, a young person is going on to achieve and make a positive impact on this community. Many of the program graduates whom I have met are now doing remarkably meaningful work, and they would never be in this position to help others if it weren't for you and Y.E.S.

Pictures of the Rescue Home can be viewed on the  Manna Rescue Home Facebook Group. If you are a Facebook member, just search "Manna Rescue Home", join the group, and enjoy the photos! If you are not a Facebook member, it is free to join at www.facebook.com.

I am at the half-way point in my stay, and will be volunteering for Carol for the next 6 months. If you have any questions about Manna Rescue Home, please visit its page on the Y.E.S. website: www.caroladamsministry.com, or feel free to email me at emerald.russell@gmail.com.

I hope this email has found you all well and enjoying summer wherever you are!

All the best,

Emerald Russell

Volunteer

Catholic Medical Missions Board