Pay Day

We have been here for almost 3 months and today I was looking back over our time so far and remembered something that I would like to share with you.

It was only 2 weeks ago that we payed the ladies from our Woman Empowerment program. One of the ladies, Betty, came to pay day with no products (set of earrings and bracelets) because she didn’t have the money to buy the materials needed to make the products. We gave her the money needed for the materials (that would then be taken off her pay when she gets it) as well as two days to bring the products and then we could pay her. 

She brought all sets of the jewellery and we were able to pay her the months wage, minus the money we gave her for materials. This situation is quite common as so many families literally live day-to-day and sometimes don’t have the money to even provide food for their family. These families know the true meaning of struggling.

What made my day through this situation was when we were able to pay Betty, her daughter was with her. When we handed the money to Betty, her daughter’s face lit up and she took the money from her mum, held it in her hands with a huge smile on her face. Betty was unable to make an income the month before and Betty’s daughter knew that at least for the next week or so they would have food to eat!!! 

It’s days and people like this that make me so thankful that God has brought me here to Uganda

Playgroup

I’m learning to love like God loves, slowly. 

The one thing that struck me this week was a huge need with children with disabilities and children that are behind in their development. On Wednesday, after our staff meeting, I seen Molly and her daughter, Stacia. I had seen Stacia a few times but this time felt compelled to take Stacia from her mum and give her some cuddles. Stacia is 10 months old and has down syndrome. I put out my hands and she came to me straight away. I cuddled and played with her for about 20mins before she started crying and I gave her back to her mum. 

In the 20 mins that I was playing with Stacia, God placed a huge need on my heart for children with disabilities and children that are behind in their development.

Immediately after giving Stacia back to her Mum, I started doing some research about Down Syndrome and activities that would help with development. God then placed on my heart to start a playgroup with these children. Within 30 mins of when I first held Stacia in my arms, after talking to Danielle and Vanita (Internationals that also volunteer with Operation Uganda), we had come up with four children that we knew could benefit from the playgroup. I asked our social worker, Pamela if we could visit these families and explain to their mother’s what was being started and if they would like to bring their children along. 

The next day I went to visit Molly with Pamela. When I walked inside her tiny house, no bigger than a bathroom, the smell of urine hit me so strong and I stepped in a pool of liquid, which I’m pretty sure was wee. I seen Molly’s other daughter Rita sitting on the cold concrete floor. Rita is severely disabled, almost deaf and almost blind. I knew straight away that Rita needed to be part of whatever God had placed on my heart the day before. Molly was so thankful!

I don’t have a clue what or how to run this playgroup but I know God will guide me. I have no experience with disabled children but that’s what’s so amazing about the love of God, you don’t need to know what to do, you just need to love and He will do the rest… 

Graduation

Yesterday I had the privilege to witness and be part of the ladies from our Tailoring Course graduate. The course was the first of it’s kind and was a huge success. An 8 month course where 10 ladies from similar situations and backgrounds were given an opportunity of a lifetime, to learn a skill that they can then start there own businesses to provide for their children, free of charge. The course also included skills such as budgeting (which is a huge issue here, as people don’t think and plan ahead, which I guess is hard when you only have money and food to live from day to day) teaching them the word and promises of God and showing them the love of God. All 10 ladies were from the local community; single parents struggling to provide the basics for their family. 

To see the joy on their face at the graduation was amazing. Unfortunately I was unable to see the course from start to finish (as we have only been here for 10 weeks) but to hear the stories of transformation throughout the time that I have been here from when the ladies first began to now is amazing. Woman who were involved in witchcraft, now christians and attending church regularly. Isn’t it cool, how something so simple leads lives to Christ, for eternity!!!!!!!

Ladies with their graduating certificates