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AbleChildAfrica E-News
April 2012
In This Issue
USDC in the West Nile & ANDy's New Torchbearer's
The London Marathon 2012
A Warm Welcome

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Greetings! 
 
Welcome to your monthly e-news update from AbleChildAfrica. This month we bring you updates from our partners in Uganda, some updates from around the office and some inspirational responses to the London Marathon 2012! We'd also like to give a warm welcome to new trustees and volunteers alike.
USDC- A new project in the West Nile

The West Nile region is one of the most underdeveloped and poorly resourced regions within Uganda.  Given both its relative isolation from Kampala and proximity to war-torn Southern Sudan and DRC Congo, children with disabilities in this region are some of the most disadvantaged and have little hope of receiving support from existing services.  Inadequate provision is further exacerbated by the increased demand for health services required by refugees from neighboring countries. 

  

Although USDC has carried out work in the region, much still needs to be done and there is a specific need to urgently equip medical centres and provide outreach clinics and surgical camps.

  

With support from the Medicor Foundation and Jersey Overseas Aid Committee USDC's outreach programmes will work closely with parents of children with disabilities within Parent Support Groups (PSGs), local government health and community development workers, hospitals and health centres to ensure access to appropriate rehabilitation, care and health services for disabled children within their local communities. USDC intends to work with at least 250 families in each of the five districts of the West Nile region during the first year of the project. 

The London Marathon 2012

This year the London Marathon was as popular as ever and with 31 runners the AbleChildAfrica team was out in full force. It was a great day for everyone involved and some of our runners and their family who came along to watch have been kind enough to share their experiences with us below:  

Cath stopped for a quick top up of her sugar stores, to keep her going for the second leg of the race
 

 

Catherine Giles

"Running the London Marathon was one of the most magical experiences of my life. The day was filled with human spirit and kindness and I felt so proud to be running it for such a worthwhile cause. I would advise everybody to experience it if they can, but focus on the experience and enjoy it to the full. Thank you for giving me the opportunity - I'll never forget the day and I don't think my young children will either."

  

 

Rosie Moore

"As the sister of David Fussell (one of the AbleChildAfrica runners), I would like to say what a fabulous day I had and how helpful and delightful all the AbleChildAfrica team were. The day would not have been half so pleasurable without their friendly welcome at Lime House and the wonderful bonus of tickets for the Grandstand... a very unexpected and very exciting addition to a lovely day.

 

Thank you so much!"

 

Our interns Anthony & Ruby were also on hand to make sure runners and supporters could find their way amongst the crowds 

Hannah Moore

"Being part of this wonderful day was emotional on many levels! It was inspiring and truly humbling and I am so pleased to have been there to join the AbleChildAfrica team in supporting all the runners who took part. My Uncle has made me very proud. 

 

Thank you so much to AbleChildAfrica for our Grandstand tickets!"

 

Beatriz  

"Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to experience the London Marathon, and to top it up helping AbleChildAfrica at the same time.

 

It was such an incredibly amazing day for me and my friends. 

 

It will stay vividly in my memory for years to come.

Love, Beatriz"

Beatriz's friends were out in full force to show their support on the day
With such an amazing turn out on the day and the huge amount of fundraising our runners have achieved the London Marathon this year has been a huge success, and so from all of us at AbleChildAfrica, Thank You!
 
Also, don't forget to head over to our Facebook page to see all of the other great photos from the day! (https://www.facebook.com/AbleChildAfrica) 
A Warm Welcome

In addition to the success of the Marathon, April has seen the AbleChildAfrica team expand even further.

 

Firstly, we welcome Ella Wesolowicz who will be volunteering with us for the next few months helping us to develop our Childhood Participation Toolkit. This also ties in with Ella's MA in Childhood, Youth and International Development at Brunel University, which you may recognise as being the same as one of our other volunteer's, Chris James, who is in fact Ella's classmate!

 

Furthermore, we welcome three new trustees on to the AbleChildAfrica board this month.

 

Alanzo Blackstock is an IT specialist with experience working in Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria. Alanzo will be helping us develop our Fundraising programmes along with other areas.

 

Victoria Fakehine also joins us and brings with her a wealth of experience working within charity finance which will be invaluable in helping us manage AbleChildAfrica's growth.

 

And Rachele Tardi is joining us from America, as a disability focussed Consultant based in New York, Rachele will be helping us to build AbleChildAfrica's presence in the US as well as developing our programmatic work. 

 

We are enthusiastic to welcome all four on to the team and will keep you updated on their work in future Newsletters. 

Partner Visit- Kenya and Tanzania
Jane is currently in Tanzania visiting CST and ICD, having spent last week in Kenya visiting ANDY and Little Rock. We look forward to her return next week to hear about all the great work being done by our partners. Look our for more details in May's newsletter!

Dolorence Were, Director of USDC, also spent a week in the UK with the AbleChildAfrica team in April working together on fundraising and governance trainings and USDC's new strategic plan. 

"Thank you very much for inviting me over and for sharing with me all the information you did. It was a lot of learning and I enjoyed my stay too. I know the training you took me through has opened doors for USDC and for me as a person. The challenge is on now, for me to put things into practice! I admire the way you work together and support each other as a team and hope USDC can learn that for our benefit too!" Dolorence Were, USDC Director

 

Thank you for taking the time to read about our work in this issue. Your contributions are essential and if you would like to donate to AbleChildAfrica's general fund please set up a standing order or make a one-off donation or Text 'ABLE11 £2/ £5 /£10' to 70070.  
 
We would also love to hear from you.  Feedback on our newsletters and comments/questions about our work are always welcome. Finally, don't forget to follow us on  Facebook Like us on Facebook and Twitter Follow us on Twitter for real time updates. 

Sincerely,

 

Jane Anthony
Executive Director
AbleChildAfrica