Mother Relies on COVE for Daughter's Future
 So many have died in Uganda from war and disease that the living typically do not speak about the dead. Usually sponsors can only imagine the missing parents whose children are now supported by COVE.
In July, however, American visitors met a COVE child's one surviving parent, a woman who expects to die soon from the HIV infection that invaded her body.
The hopes and fears of Maria Goretti Namaganda revolve around her youngest daughter, 8-year-old Paulina Nakijoba. Showing off the medical report proving that Paulina does not have HIV, Maria expressed hope that her daughter will have a future. Speaking to her visitors, Maria said, "First, I thank the Lord for the helpers who are helping the children and who have helped my child."
Still vigorous, Maria is determined to work hard to secure the futures of her four children before she dies. A peasant farmer who raises pigs, chickens, corn and fruit for her family, Maria also performs daily housework and chops back brush around her house to keep away snakes.
While that work typically takes all of one's energies, Maria also works as a licensed charcoal maker to earn cash. Pushing her body to its limits, she purchases a giant tree from a local landowner. Once it is cut down, she works alone with an ax, reducing the tree to logs. Maria then builds a traditional mound kiln, covering a 20 by 10 by 5 foot pile of logs with earth. She then fires the kiln and watches it for 10 to 14 days. Maria's labor produces about 10 large bags of charcoal, which Maria bags and hauls to the road for sale. Each bag of charcoal earns Maria around 5500 Uganda shillings, or just under $3. In a good month, she may net a dollar a day.
Knowing her vigor can not last long, she bluntly asked COVE to keep supporting Paulina. "My life is in danger. I do not expect to live much in the future because I am HIV positive." When asked to speak to COVE sponsors in America, Maria concluded, "Please continue to help so in case I die they can continue to help the children."
Maria's daughter Paulina is sponsored by Frank Ruder.
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COVE Receives Allstate "Helping Hands" Grant
COVE Alliance has received a $500 "Helping Hands" grant from the Allstate Foundation in honor of COVE grants committee Co-chair Deann Mealey. Every year, Allstate contributes to charitable organizations where its employees volunteer 25 or more hours. This is the second year that the "Helping Hands" committee has recognized Deann's work on behalf of COVE Alliance, for a total of $1,000 in donations from the Allstate Foundation since 2008. Thank you to Allstate and Deann Mealey for their generous contributions.
If your workplace supports employees' charitable commitments through grant awards or matching gifts, please consider recommending COVE Alliance for a contribution. For more information, please contact Wendy Mospan.
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Grants Committee Welcomes Two New Members
The COVE Grant Committee, which serves as the predominant source for obtaining grant funding for COVE Alliance, is delighted to announce the involvement of two new members, Donna Novickas and Marian Slahor. Donna has extensive experience writing multi-million dollar federal and state grants for the Proviso High School district. Marian has many years of experience working with NFPs and has just earned a degree in non-profit management. Please join us in warmly welcoming Donna and Marian to COVE Alliance and the Grants Committee. To learn more about COVE grants, contact committee Co-chair Annette Cowart. |
 St Jerome COVE Center, Kapeeka, Uganda
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| COVE Alliance Christmas Party
December 16 at SMV Finnegan Center
COVE US is holding a Christmas celebration, and you are invited!
When: Wednesday, December 16, 7:00 pm
Appetizers, sweets, and other refreshments will be served. Please join us for a fun evening celebrating another successful COVE year. Everyone will have a chance to win a special door prize. For further information about the party, please call Darlene Frantonius at (847) 438-4780.
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Letter From a Sponsored Child |
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A child in Uganda wrote this letter to his Sponsor:
Dear Sponsor,
 Thank you so much for the card and story book. I am well, but my grandmother went to Kapeeka City. She will come back after healing. At the moment, I am staying with a relative who takes care of me. I am soon doing my end of second term exams. When I get the holidays, there will be a lot of help at home - digging, since it is time for planting crops, and changing around the compound.
I have seen the other COVE US delegation team. I hope one day we shall meet when you come to my country.
Best regards,
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COVE Reaches Out To Community Groups
Recently two COVE members gave presentations to two very different groups. In October, Nina Fischesser and Darlene Frantonius spoke to a group of students at the Hawthorn Middle School. Nina and Darlene explained what daily life is like for children in Uganda and described how COVE is helping the children there. The Hawthorn Middle School students responded with great interest and asked many questions.
In November, Nina and Darlene gave a presentation in Wadsworth, IL at The Journey Church, where Nina is a member. After their talk, members of the congregation offered kind words of appreciation and encouragement.
If you know of an organization or group looking for a speaker, please let us know. We would love to talk with them.
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For more information about COVE Alliance,
please visit our website at:
To make a donation via PayPal, please click the Donate button:
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COVE is still accepting donations for the Kapeeka Christmas!
You can still help the children of Kapeeka have a memorable Christmas party by donating toward the day's food, decorations, events, and the Christmas mattresses.
To contribute, please send a check to:
COVE Alliance
c/o Don Dumich,Treasurer
1804 Bishops Way Mundelein, IL 60060. |
Steven Sprieser
Steven Sprieser, a senior at Vernon Hills High School, is a key contributor to COVE Alliance. Through Steve's pivotal role in the VHHS "Candle Campaign," students raised $33,000 to build a primary school at the St. Jerome COVE Center.
Steve intends to major in Economics and Computer Science in college, and he hopes to use his education to support developing African countries.
Steve recently wrote an essay describing the impact his involvement with COVE has had on his life and the lives of children in Uganda: "Work in Africa is far from complete; there are so many areas where citizens need assistance. If I can apply what I learn during college to make a positive, meaningful difference in the world, then I believe I can truly live a successful life. Even if I am only one 'candle,' I can help light a fire."
Read Steve's full essay at:
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New Home for COVE Children
Construction begins this month on a new dormitory at the St. Jerome COVE Center in Kapeeka. The dormitory will house children attending the primary school, with first priority being given to COVE-sponsored children.
The dormitory will be home for up to 80 children. Divided into four sections with ten bunk beds each, the dormitory will provide two separate bathing areas (one for boys, one for girls) and a laundry space. A matron's room will be located in the middle of the building.
The new dormitory is scheduled to open in March 2010.
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COVE Jewel Days December 14, 15 &16
Jewel "Shop and Share" Days offer an easy way for you to support COVE Alliance just by grocery shopping! Visit the COVE Alliance website to print a Jewel "Shop and Share" coupon. Turn in the coupon when you buy your groceries, and 5% of your purchase will be donated to COVE.
It's that easy! Thank you for helping Kapeeka's children. |
Our vision is of a world of hopeful, responsible human beings who respect human dignity and are in a position to sustain themselves and their families in the future.
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Darlene Frantonius
847-438-4780
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