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Greetings!
Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations around the world. It is celebrated with caroling, feasting, gift giving, prayers and good wishes. Although the traditions vary, the spirit remains the same everywhere around the world. We have seen pictures of how our sponsored children have celebrated, now read how the families of our children celebrate in their own communities.
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Sekukkulu Celebration Begins in Uganda
Namuyiga Cissy and Nanfuka Eseri share with us some information on how they celebrate their Sekukkulu (Luganda word meaning Christmas) with their families. "A day before Christmas we work a lot such as cleaning the compound, collecting firewood, fetching water, decorating the house, and on Christmas day, is a day of feasting." Cissy sharing her Sekukkulu experience with a smile.
 | | Cissy preparing for Sekukkulu. |
During Christmas period, we get new clothes for Christmas. We collect food from the garden (matooke "green banana", sweet potatoes, cassava), we buy meat, rice, we sing special songs like joy to the world, decorate Christmas trees in the house with flowers and balloons, sometime with banana leaves. On the 24th, a day before Christmas, we all join as family members to work in preparation for a colorful Christmas. Then on Christmas day, we make sure that everybody in the family and even friends who come to visit us have something to eat and drink thus making the day colorful. Sekukkulu is one of the special occasions where a traditional, delicious dish is prepared locally known as Luwombo.
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"I wish every day was Sekukkulu!" |
Nanfuka Eseri also explains how Sekukkulu is celebrated in her family. Eseri says that at their home, normally two days before Christmas, her grandmother organizes for the slaughtering of either a goat or chicken which would be shared with relatives and friends on Christmas day. Christmas period is a time of the year we normally eat very well. On Christmas day, we normally wake up very early; as early as 5:00am to peel matooke, sweet potatoes and to finish the unfinished work of the previous day. After doing all that work, then it is the time to prepare and be ready to walk to the parish for mass.
Christmas is a public holiday in Uganda and many people go to churches and even the non believers join other members. Christmas in Uganda is a day of celebration and praying. So we go to church in the morning to pray; and we also use this chance to wish our friends a Happy Christmas which means in my local language "Sekukkulu Ennungi" Namuyiga Cissy explains.
The previous letter was sent by Richard Mugisha from Uganda. |
'Then and Now' of Sponsored Children | | |
A Word from Sponsors Tom and Eve Jacobs
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One of Hadija's early drawings. |
For over 5 years in support of COVE Alliance, we have had the privilege of sponsoring 4 children, two boys and two girls. Today we will focus on Hadija Nakyanzi, our older sponsored girl. Hadija lives with her father at Balatiria Village. When we first sponsored her in 2006 she was in grade one of the Balatiria primary school. At that point Hadija was drawing some inspiring pictures of the local landscape of trees, and could only write her first name. In translation of letters to us from COVE volunteers in Uganda, we knew she enjoyed the sport of netball and playing with other children. Like many children, at home Hadija fetches water, washes dishes and sweeps her compound.
Besides writing to Hadija we have sent her coloring and English spelling books, crayons, and pencils, as well as a picture of ourselves. Her return letters have come back with much gratitude and appreciation for these extra items, but what was most of interest was the picture of us! At school Hadija has been able to meet with friends, many of whom she has not seen in a long time. We have seen her educational skills increase, and she is now writing full English letters and is clearly happy and thankful
to be given this support. Hadija is now 12 years old, in grade five at Victory primary school, and likes English. Here is one of her latest letters:
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Hadija in 2010. |
Dear beloved sponsor,
The support you give me and my family has great impact to my life. I am in school and healthy. I appreciate the support you provide through COVE Alliance, healthy my family and I and fine. I am happy that through you my life has changed I wish you a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.
Best wishes,
Hadija Nakyanzi
It is incredibly rewarding for us to be able to encourage and help sponsor children in
COVE Alliance. Knowing that many unsponsored children wish to learn, and receive an education has been a strong compassionate motivator for us. To be able to provide this education, and sustainable access to other life changing basics like nutritious food, clean water, healthcare, and clothing has profoundly changed the future for Hadija and our sponsored children, and has changed our own lives as well.
Sincerely, Tom & Eve Jacobs
You too can have this wonderful experience of sponsoring a child, who is on the waiting list, through COVE. The reward will be the bond you two will develop on your mutual journey for a better world. For details, please visit www.covealliance.org. |
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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.
For more information about
COVE Alliance,
please visit our website at:
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Sponsor a Child
Learn more.... ___________________
To make a donation via PayPal, please click the
Donate button:
or mail your donation to:
COVE Alliance
341 Sutcliffe Cir.
Vernon Hills, IL 60061 |
Sending Material to Uganda | | |
NEW ADDRESS
Please note that all letters and gifts for the children should be sent directly to Uganda at the following address:
St. Jerome COVE Center Kapeeka
P.O. Box 72717
Kampala, Uganda
Please include the child's name and sponsorship number on the inside of the package.
For further information, please refer to your "Guidelines for Sponsors". |
COVE USA Board
Executive Director
Father Hilary Muheezangango
Officers
Chairperson, Darlene Frantonius
Vice Chairperson, Len Smith
Secretary, Sue Binetti
Treasurer, Kim Clark
Directors
Carol Armstrong Hank Haegerich
Helen Haegerich Tom Jacobs
Frank Ruder Fr. Randy Stice
For more information about COVE Alliance, contact:
Darlene Frantonius
847-438-4780
OR
Len Smith
847-367-9456 |
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COVE Annual Fundraiser
Volunteers Needed | | |
Our annual fundraiser is scheduled for June 23, 2012 and we are looking for volunteers. Many hands and talents are needed. Special skills are not required - just a willingness to help the children of Uganda!
Committees include Venue/food, Invitations, Publicity, Decorations, Silent Auction, Raffle(s), Entertainment
For more information or to volunteer, please e-mail
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Fr. Finnegan Parish Center
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Fundraising Events
Casa Bonita - February 2012
Didier Farms - May 2012
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Seeds of Hope
Annual Fundraiser
June 23, 2012
DoubleTree Hotel
Mundelein, IL |
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COVE on Facebook and YouTube | | |
 Visit us on Facebook.
 See our inspiring video.
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