Warm greetings from Lulwanda. As we come to the end of the year 2021, surely we are grateful for standing with us in hard times and above all to the Almighty God for His provision and protection amidst the challenges of COVID-19. All our Children are doing well and have continued to grow in the knowledge and fear of the Almighty God. Most of them have now grown up and what a great Joy to see our first group of Children graduating and serving the community, something that was not expected if it was NOT for you the friends of Lulwanda. Thank you so much and let God bless the work of your hands.
MEDICAL REPORT
God has blessed us once again with a wonderful year of health and safety. Despite the global pandemic along with general illnesses and injuries that occur when you have many children, God has provided. All our praise goes to Him alone for sustaining His children. This month we saw 37 total patients between children, staff, and their eligible relatives. There were a total of 15 malaria cases (out of 27 tested) and treated. 13 patients were treated for general flu and cough, and other minor illnesses. This month all children and staff were given deworming treatment on December 8th. We thank God for another year of providential health for His Children’s Home.
DISCIPLESHIP REPORT
Discipleship continues but has been dialled back to mainly digital this month. Most children outside of the new children who were brought in are on home leave (social bonding) with their clans. Upon their return we plan to continue with discipleship as previously conducted. Daily devotionals and songs are sent out digitally with Bible studies sent out once weekly. Our youth have a hunger for the Lord and knowing Him through His eternal Word. This has been one of the most productive years spiritually at Lulwanda. Over 40 children repented and believed in the Gospel, and God brought over 20 youth to pledge to remain pure until marriage all by the power of His Word. Glory be to the Lord.
SOCIAL BONDING
It’s a government policy to send Children to be with their clan members at the end of every year for social bonding for a period of three weeks. Apart from the new kids we brought this very month, all our Children are currently staying with the clan members for Christmas celebrations. Last year 2020, our Children remained at home due to COVID-19 lockdown and other restrictions. Social bonding helps the Children to have a strong attachment with the identified clan member whom they can stay with after the reintegration.
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Before sending our Children to the village for social bonding, we had the Christmas party where we prepared for them a delicious meal. We had games throughout the day and the Children were also served with ice cream. The Children were happy and enjoyed the day.
NEW CHILDREN
The long-awaited new Children finally arrived at Lulwanda on December 7th 2021. The new children include Trevor Mulongo, Keneth Mbulamaye, Haruna Magode, Musa Kowu, Carol Naula, Gift Logose, Getrude Namakoye, Brian Wawuswa, Judith Namusoga and William Gadala. It was all Joy and excitement when the new kids were ushered to the big family of Lulwanda. You could see big smiles on the faces of the new Children wondering what could be happening in their lives. They have already experienced the love and care from their sisters, brothers and staff members which they were missing while in the village. We welcomed all of them with special songs and flash cards with exciting messages and cartoons. Each new kid was presented with a beautiful locally made bouquet of flowers which had sweets inside. All the new Children were assigned to different new houses and the house mothers were so happy to have the new children join this beautiful loving home.
FINANCIAL MEETING
We held the financial meeting with the financial training coordinator Hassan Wabutwa, Irene and Olive (the social workers) and Anthony Wanzala. The purpose of the meeting was to hear feedback from the staff members about the first financial training which was attended by Chairman Larry of the USA Board. Second was to lay down strategies for the future financial training of all the Lulwanda staff members and the Lulwanda Alumni. The meeting was attended by all the staff members and Lulwanda young adults at Tendo. In this meeting, it was agreed to start up a savings group at the beginning of next year 2022. It was a good moment to hear from each individual what they had been able to practice out of the knowledge that they received from the first financial training. It was so fruitful to know that members were very positive about the training and with this, we will be organising for the second training.
On the same occasion, I had an opportunity to speak to the staff members who had taken time without coming to Lulwanda due to the lockdown restrictions. A number of issues and updates were communicated since the second lockdown in June 2021. Among the issues communicated was resuming of work by all staff members on January 3rd 2022, receiving of new children, social bonding, teachers being ready to guide and counsel the kids and create a positive impact when schools re- open next year 2022 and graduation of our first University children among others.
SHOPPING FOR NEW CHILDREN
Our social workers together with the house mothers bought a number of essential items for the new Children. The social workers came up with a budget which was fully funded by the US Board. Items that were purchased for each child include clothes, bathing soap & sponge, Vaseline, tooth brushes, shoes, sandals, bedsheets, play materials, inner panties, and mosquito nets among others. Thank you so much for the support given to make the lives of these Children better.
UNIVERSITY AND TERTIARY STUDENTS BACK HOME
Most of our children who reported to school in November 2021 after the government reopened Universities and trade schools are breaking off for the Christmas holiday. It is a short holiday but worth celebrating the birth of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. We have sent them transport money and they will be travelling back home by themselves since they are in higher institutions of learning.
ONLINE STUDY FOR SECONDARY CHILDREN
The online learning lessons for Mbale Secondary School kids were interrupted for one week as they were going to the village for social bonding. They will resume normal studies when schools reopen up in January 2022. St. Mary’s Lugazi Children who are joining S.5 next year 2022 (Gift Naluboka and Norah Masai) will continue learning even while in their village since we purchased new smart phones for them. The LPS Children will resume studies on January 10th 2022 when schools reopen officially.
SOLAR POWER SYSTEM
We have replaced the damaged solar panels with new ones, plus replaced ten (10) new batteries. As for now power at Lulwanda children’s home is very stable and we have light throughout the night. Our big gratitude to all our friends for always supporting us.
CONCLUSION
As the year 2021 comes to an end, we thank the Almighty who graciously loves us and has given us another chance to continue serving Him. We thank all the friends of Lulwanda for supporting us for the past years and above all accepting the Lulwanda Children as if they were part of your families. Great thanks to the US Board leadership for the wise leadership in guiding us in the better management of the home. Words may not explain how grateful we are but surely from the bottom of our hearts you are the reason our Children have a great smile on their faces because the future is now bright. Thank you so much and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022!
In His Grace
Paul Isabirye
LCH-Administrator
