Merry Christmas to you all! I bring warm greetings from the little beloved Children and staff of Lulwanda as we conclude this remarkable year 2020. We are grateful to the Almighty God who enabled us to get through the year amidst a lot of challenges. Thank you for standing with us and supporting Lulwanda Children as part of your family. As we approach our 20th anniversary of the initial plans for rescuing and supporting these orphans (who were once rejected and abandoned by society), you have been faithful to God, and we are now harvesting the fruits of your labor. I thank you for supporting this noble cause that has brought positive changes in the lives of our Children. Allow me to brief you on the highlights of the month of December.
MEDICAL
All our Children and staff members are doing great physically, emotionally and socially. We had minor cases of flu, cough and malaria which were handled at the home. Also a few cases were taken to Joy hospice for further investigations to rule out any suspicion of Covid. We had a one day medical camp organized by Hope medical Centre within our area of operation and offered free medical services to both the Children and staff members. The activities involved HIV/AIDS screening, deworming, counseling and education about sexually transmitted diseases and hygiene.
FIRST GRADUATES
Allen Muhijja and Sylvia Logose graduated this month both with a degree in Social Work and Social Administration. They are a living testimony of the work that God is doing at Lulwanda. They are now a source of inspiration to the rest of the Children. This was evidenced on the day of the Christmas Party as each gave a speech and all Children were very much touched and promised to work hard. We plan to have a graduation party next year 2021 to thank the Almighty God for this great achievement. Thank you very much for all that you have contributed to ensure Allen and Sylvia realized their dream in order to have a better future. We are expecting more University Children like Mercy, Ivan and Doreen to graduate next year March 2021 if they complete the examination papers and other requirements successfully.
Junior Dison Osangada qualified with a Grade III teaching certificate and currently he is employed at Lulwanda Primary School. He is doing a great job to teach his little brothers and sisters. He is a source of inspiration to the Children who have disciplinary issues and an example on how to turn your life around.
SECONDARY HOLIDAY (CANDIDATES)
Our secondary finalist Children (S4 & S6) are back from school after the government had allowed them to report back for learning in October 2020. We are glad that all are healthy and free from Covid-19 which was our biggest worry since they had interacted with so many people at school. They are enjoying the Christmas break but are also reviewing notes in preparation for the final exams due in March 2021. They are expected to report back to school on January 18th/2021 along with semi-candidates after the presidential elections in January 14th/2021. We are not certain when the rest of the students will be reporting back to school.
REINTEGRATION
We have reintegrated sixteen (16) youth because they have reached the age of 17 years and are no longer eligible to stay at Lulwanda. They will spend the next two years at our transitional facility-Lulwanda Tendo. This will help them to learn more life skills.
FOLLOW UP OF RESETTLED CHILDREN
A follow up of all resettled Children was conducted this month. A list was forwarded to the Local management committee for consideration of some Children who have reformed and need to be restored back. This list is still under scrutiny by the local management board. Once it’s done with recommendations, we shall forward it to the US Board for further scrutiny and advice.
FINANCIAL TRAINING
Our social workers Irene Mutuwa, Olive Kalenda plus Anthony Wanzala a Child of Lulwanda attended a financial training session facilitated by Virgil Hughes of New Vines International, inc. (NVI). The training was carried out via Zoom and was organized by Mama Aida Ogenga and Larry Hoelscher. The training was aimed at equipping the participants with skills of how to save money and protect the savings through financial discipline. It’s important to have saving goals in life and work hard at achieving such goals and this was backed up with scriptures. Upon completion of the training the trainees will come and train the rest of the staff members plus the reintegrated Lulwanda Children. This will help our reintegrated Children to start up business enterprise from the savings they have secured. Great thanks to Larry Hoelscher who financed the training which included other Church members from the Eastern Presbytery.
CHRISTMAS PARTY
It was all joy when we held the Christmas Party for all the staff members and the Children. The party started with different activities like dancing, sack racing, water bottle filling, and football between the staff and Children. As expected the Children who are skillful in football beat the staff members and took the trophy. The party turned up to be a reunion with our older kids who were reintegrated with clan members and had taken quite a long period of time without visiting Lulwanda. We felt the joy and love of God as we hugged and shared a meal with our Children. We used the same opportunity to counsel our Children to embrace Christ who will secure their bright future both on earth and after life.
Apart from the Christmas party, our Children have been involved in singing, learning to play instruments and playing football. We organized a football tournament with the community people and our team played so well even though it ended in a draw. Since we are in the campaign period, some politicians grabbed the opportunity to campaign and donated some little money to the two teams. All was well during this Christmas period.
CONCLUSION
All I can say is Ebenezer! It has been a year of challenges but God Has been faithful and His grace has been sufficient. The world has been greatly affected by Covid-19 and we shall live to tell the next generation, but let us continue to fix our eyes on the creator of Heaven and Earth for the ultimate solution. We are praying for the quick recovery of our friends who are sick of Covid-19. Thank you for the love and support given throughout the year. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the initial idea of Lulwanda, just know that we appreciate all of you for the kind heart towards the orphans of Lulwanda for the Glory of His Name. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021 FRIENDS!
IN HIM
PAUL ISABIRYE
LCH-ADMNISTRATOR
