Here is the list of things that we were able to accomplish on the Island with your help. Thank you to all of you whose donations made this project possible.
Bags of beans, salt, porsho and blankets were delivered. Soap and Moringa seed were also delivered.
The water purification system was built, delivered and installed with great success. 2 hours after installation they were drinking purified water.
A doctor came and saw all of the sick people that day. He administered first aid as well as administered drugs to those in need. We ran out of medicine so we will be going back next week to deliver more. We also put together a large first aid kit for the island to use in cases of basic first aid needs. The Dr. has agreed to come 1x a month to do a clinic for the people.
A man came and set up a movie for the people to see. It was the first movie any of them had ever seen. Afterwards he did an evangelistic message in which many people received Christ as savior. We have a local bible college that has agreed to send students out to the island once a week to teach and pray with the people.
We raised two pigs to take to the island to help start their pig project. We also took the seed for the people to be able to plant the feed for the pigs.
We will be continuing to help these people with their livestock program, bible studies, health clinics, human waste management and roofing. Enjoy the photos below! We hope you all had a very merry Christmas and pray for many blessings for you in the upcoming New Year.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Leaving Ggaba port for the Island
People on the Island waiting for us to come.
Island fishermen
Leaving Ggaba portMoringa plantation and pig project
We took a 40 kilo bag of Moringa seed to plant on the island for pig feed as well as for the children. It is also used in the settlement tank of the water purifier we installed. We are raising 2 pigs at our house to take to the island in 3 weeks to use to enhance their pig production. The field below is where they will plant the seed and these are the pigs they currently have on the island.
Supplies off loaded
We took bags of beans, porsho and salt for everyone. We also distributed soap and blankets for all of the children.
Island Houses
The island doesn't have very much clay in the soil, so the houses have to be re-mudded after every rainy season. When the storms come in the trash on the roofs blow off and they are left to wait for more to wash up on their shore to replace it.
Setting up water tank and purifier
Unloading the tank. The kids used plastic jugs and pans to fill it up. The people couldn't believe that the green, worm infested water could come out like bottled mineral water afterwards.
Lunch time on the island
Ready for naps after lunch.
These two pictures are of a grandmother on the island raising her 17 grandchildren by herself. Her husband and all of her children died of AIDS. The kids are ages 5 to 11.
Supply distribution
Storing food in banana leaves
Waiting for supplies
rationing beans
rationing porshoPeople on the Island
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. I think that is so true. Take a look at the faces in all of these pictures and see what they are telling you.
Pictures with the doctor
Patricia(left) volunteered to help Dr. Dixon with patients records for the day.
Boy with dwarf syndrome. We were able to get him referred to a specialist that will do rehabilitation with him for free.
movie Pictures
Almost dark enough to start the movie. This was the first movie that anyone on the island had ever seen.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Christmas Challenge
We are now between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have had people from the states ask me if I was ready for Christmas, and what was it like here this time of the year. This has been my response........
We received word that our container is in Kampala and might actually be delivered to our house this week. This year for Christmas our gift to everyone in the family is our container being here for Christmas. When we asked our kids a month ago what they wanted for Christmas it was a unanimous, "Our container!" So, no fighting the lines at the mall or running around trying to find someone that one thing they have to have and all of the stores are sold out.( not that those things are even an option here)
There is absolutely no signs that Christmas is just a few weeks away. No decorations around town, no radios with Christmas music playing, no Santa's ringing bells outside stores, no snow or even a hint of cool weather. While I enjoy the beautiful weather here, palm trees swaying in the breeze and every day being sunny and 80 degrees, it makes it hard to get into the spirit of the season.
I have been thinking about the past year and how things have for us here in Uganda since we came and the anticipation of finally having our "things" arrive. We are truly blessed to have a roof over our head that doesn't leak, running water and power at least 50% of the time and food on our table for 3 meals a day. This is so much more than 99% of the people here have. So for Christmas I though that I would put out a challenge for all of you living in 1st world countries struggling with all of the holiday pressures and less than grateful children.
Instead of telling them that they should be thankful for what they have and not be so demanding about what they want for Christmas try this.........
For one day have them live like the rest of the undeveloped world. This will make an impression on them like nothing that you could ever tell them.
For one day the family has no power... no lights, no t.v., no computer, no x-box or playstation, no dishwasher, washing machine, blow dryers, straightening irons etc.. ( you get the picture)
No running water... they have to go outside to the hose or spigot and carry buckets full inside to flush the toilets, wash dishes, wash clothes and take baths with.
No preparing food with boxed or prepackaged/frozen meals.
Transportation is your own two legs, public transport or calling a taxi.
No telephone, cell phone or any other modern convenience (microwave) I would say no using the stove, but going outside and cooking on a fire might be a bit challenging.
Do this for one day and let them know this is how everyone lives in 3rd world countries and see if they don't appreciate what they have more afterwards as well as really getting an idea of how missionaries they might know and the "truly poor" in the world live.
I would love to hear your feed back, so those of you who are willing to take the challenge please let me know how it goes.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
We received word that our container is in Kampala and might actually be delivered to our house this week. This year for Christmas our gift to everyone in the family is our container being here for Christmas. When we asked our kids a month ago what they wanted for Christmas it was a unanimous, "Our container!" So, no fighting the lines at the mall or running around trying to find someone that one thing they have to have and all of the stores are sold out.( not that those things are even an option here)
There is absolutely no signs that Christmas is just a few weeks away. No decorations around town, no radios with Christmas music playing, no Santa's ringing bells outside stores, no snow or even a hint of cool weather. While I enjoy the beautiful weather here, palm trees swaying in the breeze and every day being sunny and 80 degrees, it makes it hard to get into the spirit of the season.
I have been thinking about the past year and how things have for us here in Uganda since we came and the anticipation of finally having our "things" arrive. We are truly blessed to have a roof over our head that doesn't leak, running water and power at least 50% of the time and food on our table for 3 meals a day. This is so much more than 99% of the people here have. So for Christmas I though that I would put out a challenge for all of you living in 1st world countries struggling with all of the holiday pressures and less than grateful children.
Instead of telling them that they should be thankful for what they have and not be so demanding about what they want for Christmas try this.........
For one day have them live like the rest of the undeveloped world. This will make an impression on them like nothing that you could ever tell them.
For one day the family has no power... no lights, no t.v., no computer, no x-box or playstation, no dishwasher, washing machine, blow dryers, straightening irons etc.. ( you get the picture)
No running water... they have to go outside to the hose or spigot and carry buckets full inside to flush the toilets, wash dishes, wash clothes and take baths with.
No preparing food with boxed or prepackaged/frozen meals.
Transportation is your own two legs, public transport or calling a taxi.
No telephone, cell phone or any other modern convenience (microwave) I would say no using the stove, but going outside and cooking on a fire might be a bit challenging.
Do this for one day and let them know this is how everyone lives in 3rd world countries and see if they don't appreciate what they have more afterwards as well as really getting an idea of how missionaries they might know and the "truly poor" in the world live.
I would love to hear your feed back, so those of you who are willing to take the challenge please let me know how it goes.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Closer to our goal
To date we have received $3,800.00 towards the Christmas Island Project. We have another $1,100.00 to go to reach our goal of $4,900.00 so things are progressing. We have set the date for the project and will be going out there on December 21st. Please if you are wanting to get involved with this project please donate online or have your checks mailed to 5753 Republic of Texas Austin, Texas 78735 by the 19th of December so that the funds can be available here in time. A big thank you to everyone who has donated so far.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Island Budget
I wanted to update you all on the Island Project and the budget for the project. To date we have someone who will match funds up to $1500.00 and we have been pledged $1250.00. The project budget is $4700.00 and that will supply the water purification system, blankets for all for the children, a first aid kit and medical clinic for the day, starter livestock to help them get into another income source and food for all for the families. We are hoping to supply mosquito nets for the families to help reduce malaria. The pit latrine issue and roofing will be saved for another time. We will do the project in the middle of December and give everyone an update with pictures once completed.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Island Project
Here is the latest update on the Christmas Island Project.......
David had the Local Chairman and the local leader of the island take an official census of the people of Namalusu Island and gave us a list of every ones names, adults and children so we knew exactly how many people we were dealing with. They supplied us with a list and there are officially 86 adults and 56 children. A bit off from what they had originally told us.
They also wrote a letter telling us what the specific needs are. Clean water was on the top of the list as they are losing many people to dysentery, malaria and poor sanitary conditions. The island is rocky so they can't dig pit latrines deep enough to keep the human waste confined. Below is the list he gave us so you will know what these people are going through.
1. Clean water
2.Health Care
I mentioned before that they don't have any doctors or health care people on the island. No clinics and that means no medical care at all. ( not even basic first aid kits or supplies) They don't have any boats that have motors so when someone gets sick they have to row them to the mainland. Sometimes that isn't quick enough. If someone falls sick at night they have to wait it out till morning when they can see to row them in and sometimes they don't make it through the night.
3. Fishing nets
They have to piece together whatever they can find to fish with and they don't have proper nets. Standard fishing net costs $12.00, $18.00 and $30.00 each. This would be a temporary fix as the fish in Lake Victoria are being depleted. They will have to find a new source of income in the next few years. We have talked to them about putting together a pig cooperative to give them a different source of income.
4.Shelter
You saw from my pictures that I posted that the roofs of their houses are made from trash that they have found and put on the top to keep the water out. The issue with that is when the storms come across the lake it blows the trash off and then they are exposed to the elements. They told us most of the children don't have blankets or anything to keep them off of the ground while they sleep. So, when it rains they are left to lay in the mud.
We have had people already donate to this project and have had someone who will graciously match funds up to $1500.00. Please when you donate on the website designate it for the "Christmas Island Project" and if you are sending checks please designate those as well. Again if you are sending checks address them to Orphan Children Fund 5753 Republic of Texas Austin, Texas 78735
We will do as much for these people as we have the funds come in. The first priority will be the water purification project and the gifts for the children and then we will tackle the rest of the issues as funds are donated.
David had the Local Chairman and the local leader of the island take an official census of the people of Namalusu Island and gave us a list of every ones names, adults and children so we knew exactly how many people we were dealing with. They supplied us with a list and there are officially 86 adults and 56 children. A bit off from what they had originally told us.
They also wrote a letter telling us what the specific needs are. Clean water was on the top of the list as they are losing many people to dysentery, malaria and poor sanitary conditions. The island is rocky so they can't dig pit latrines deep enough to keep the human waste confined. Below is the list he gave us so you will know what these people are going through.
1. Clean water
2.Health Care
I mentioned before that they don't have any doctors or health care people on the island. No clinics and that means no medical care at all. ( not even basic first aid kits or supplies) They don't have any boats that have motors so when someone gets sick they have to row them to the mainland. Sometimes that isn't quick enough. If someone falls sick at night they have to wait it out till morning when they can see to row them in and sometimes they don't make it through the night.
3. Fishing nets
They have to piece together whatever they can find to fish with and they don't have proper nets. Standard fishing net costs $12.00, $18.00 and $30.00 each. This would be a temporary fix as the fish in Lake Victoria are being depleted. They will have to find a new source of income in the next few years. We have talked to them about putting together a pig cooperative to give them a different source of income.
4.Shelter
You saw from my pictures that I posted that the roofs of their houses are made from trash that they have found and put on the top to keep the water out. The issue with that is when the storms come across the lake it blows the trash off and then they are exposed to the elements. They told us most of the children don't have blankets or anything to keep them off of the ground while they sleep. So, when it rains they are left to lay in the mud.
We have had people already donate to this project and have had someone who will graciously match funds up to $1500.00. Please when you donate on the website designate it for the "Christmas Island Project" and if you are sending checks please designate those as well. Again if you are sending checks address them to Orphan Children Fund 5753 Republic of Texas Austin, Texas 78735
We will do as much for these people as we have the funds come in. The first priority will be the water purification project and the gifts for the children and then we will tackle the rest of the issues as funds are donated.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Christmas Island Project Photos
These are the people who live on the island and their houses. Notice the trash for roofs.
More pictures of the people. Notice the green water.
A view of the island from the boat as we are arriving.
A floating island in the middle of the lake on our way to see the people.
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