This month I wanted to share updates on 3 major projects funded with our construction fund, celebrate a new graduate, and answer some recent questions from some of our sponsors!
Solar Energy
We sent the funds last month to provide solar energy to both Victory House and Victory Primary School. The panels have been installed and the units are now working. It’s too early to know exactly how much this is going to help us, but we are excited not to be so dependent on the unstable electrical grid. We believe this is going to a huge blessing to both facilities!
Farmland
We are so excited to announce that we have hired a new farm manager! Our own Julius Tamale, who has a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness from Busitema University, will be overseeing all aspects of our farmland. Julius was in our first group of V127 children, and is now an educated and insightful young man with a heart of gold. We are so grateful to have a piece of farmland which will benefit all of our families, and to have one of our own overseeing the project!
Also, as our students are on a 3 week break between school terms, 7 of our young men traveled to the farm this week to help Julius and his team plant tomatoes, carrots, onions, spinach, cabbage, corn, beans, potatoes, watermelon, & eggplant. Here is photo of Julius with Derrick, Ronald, Marvin, Luke, Mitti, & Ezra. These boys are getting a hands-on education in farming techniques!
Bakery
I shared with you last month that we are launching a new building project! This will be a three story building on the same property as (and directly alongside) Victory House. Our new bakery will be on the first floor (this will be another opportunity to hire our graduates!), more teacher housing will be on the second floor, and another dormitory on the third floor. Just as we have with our other building projects, we will simply send what God provides and build at the pace of provision. We will be sending the funds to start the project this month. If you would like to help us build a bakery, you can do so here!
Graduate
Our James Mugambe graduated this month with a certificate in water engineering. We are so proud of James! He was also in our first group of children 12 years ago, and we have watched him learn, grow, and change into a confident, kind and hard-working young man. Even more great news, he already has a job working for a water company in Kampala. Way to go James!
Common Questions
Frequently, sponsors will ask questions and I realize there may be others with the same questions. Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out when you don’t understand something… I am happy to answer or find the answer!
1. When can I write my child a letter? Anytime you want! We ask you to write after every school report to encourage the kids (remember…we are their biggest cheerleaders whether they are struggling or thriving), and at Christmas. The best relationships are formed, however, by those who write once a month. Any and every letter is a huge blessing to your child. Write a letter here!
2. Can I send a gift for my child’s birthday? We can’t physically send a gift, but we can send funds for their birthday. Typically a sponsor may send $25-$50 for their child’s birthday. You would put that in the general fund and designate it for your child’s birthday. Then we would send it with our monthly support, and our team in Uganda would give it to the child’s caretaker to be used for something they need. That is a sweet surprise for them for sure!
3. How do the school terms work in Uganda? The new school year begins in early February. There are three terms, with a three week break between each term, and the school year ends in November. They have December and January off before starting a new school year again in February.
If you haven’t been to our website lately, please check out our homepage, which features our Caroline Asiimwe. Caroline just finished her studies and wrote the sweetest letter of gratitude to her sponsors, Tom & Barbara. Here’s an excerpt…
“With a grateful heart I want to take this opportunity to thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for educating me and giving me a future. I was nothing but you made me into something now. You started paying my school fees in primary six and now I have graduated. Thank you for paying my fees on time, giving me requirements, food, and medication. Thank you for loving me the way I am”
Thank you sweet Caroline, for reminding us all the that God indeed loves us all, just the way we are. He is our Rescuer, and the one that gives us hope and a future.
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” I Pet. 2:9
Much Love,
Jan