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Hello from the village of Kyallijjala.
Charles, the Project Manager, and I are sitting
together on a sunny, cool day in Uganda writing our
first newsletter to you. We want to stay connected
with you and this is one avenue. I have been here
since February 22 and we have been working hard to
accomplish all our goals.
Village News
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I returned to life being more difficult here.
There has been a drought creating less drinking
water, less electricity, food shortage and price
increases. Sadly, there have been many
deaths in our families...a one year old child died
the Saturday I returned.
Through all of this the African spirit prevails.
People continue to be positive and hopeful and
believe that tomorrow is a new day with new
possibilities.
Another important noticeable difference is the
connection the children and community have
developed
with Charles, the Project Manager. As I move back
and
forth between America and Uganda, it is clear that
the
children are working hard in school and the
businesses are progressing.
While we are working hard we also have had time to
take some of the children to the zoo. Jared, my son
and friends donated money for our trip. The children
wrote a thank you note, saying:
"THANK YOU FOR GIVING US MONEY TO GO THE ZOO.
WE SAW A MONKEY AND CHIMPANZEE, THE MONKEY'S
EYES.THE OSTRICH CAME RIGHT UP TO THE FENCE
AND WE TRIED TO GIVE IT GRASS. WE SAW A
HORSE.
CHILDREN WERE RIDING IT.
WE ATE FISH AND CHIPS AND TOMATO SAUCE AND
SODA AND
LYNNI ATE CHILL SAUCE.
WE WATCHED THE WATER. WE SAW SNAILS,
BOATS, A
JETSKI AND WAVES AND A MOTOR BOAT. "
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Progress Report
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Here's How We're Doing...
In the next 2 months, we are anticipating the
arrival of 500 pairs of children's shoes donated by
Clarks Shoes. We have chosen as recipients for the
shoes, particular schools where the need is the
greatest. We are hoping to create a sister-school
relationships with these same schools.
To date we have given two new start-up business
loans, bringing the total businesses to ten. In
addition, village women have been making native
baskets, mats, and place mats which we will sell in
America. Additionally, we will be reviewing three new
business proposals within the next few weeks.
With your help we have sponsored six more children,
bringing the total to twelve children and two adults
in university. The children range in age from five
to sixteen years of age. Due to family
circumstances, three of our children are boarding at
the schools. One of them, a new six year old child
named Doreen, has been walking six miles a day to
attend a public school. We have chosen for her to
board at a private school in the area.
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Learn About Uganda
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Child Labor--Written by kalule charles
In 1998 the International Labour Organization (ILO)
estimated 44.4 percent of children between the
ages 10 and 14 were working. The government
estimated 3.5 million children between 10 and 17
years of age were working-49% were girls 51%
boys.
This has resulted in child labour.
Uganda has over 2 million orphaned children
as a result of civil unrest, internal displacement
of persons and HIV/AIDS. An estimated one and half
million children living in Uganda have lost their
mother or both parents to AIDS. Orphaned children
are likely to become heads of household responsible
for caring for younger siblings or live on the
streets.
The Ugandan government reports that some of the
worst forms of child labour in the country include
heavy domestic work, commercial sex, sex slavery,
involvement in military operations, and smuggling of
merchandise across borders.
The children are made to work for long hours,
especially those working as domestic servants. They
are denied food, endure physical and sexual abuse,
and are denied a relationship with their family and
friends. They are denied an education and a normal
childhood.
The predominant factors leading to orphaned children
and their exploitation are HIV/AIDS and POVERTY. In
the rural areas of Uganda where more than 90%
population lives, these conditions are particularly
rampant.
The government of Uganda together with
NGOs have tried to counter these two predominant
factors by creating AIDS prevention campaigns to
educate people about how to avoid HIV/AIDS and
how to care for the orphans and those who have the
disease.
Also, the government has introduced a poverty
eradication program that works with NGOs to help
people start businesses and provides free primary
education for orphans who cannot afford school
tuition. The government is planning to extend free
education to tertiary institutions and college
education.
Through programs like these Uganda can reduce the
prevalence of child labour and suffering.
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