Don and Ruth Community Nursary School

Community Nursery School built by TCAN

We went to Uganda as representatives of Trinity Community Aid Network, otherwise known as TCAN. Jim's parents, Don and Ruth Newville, founded TCAN, after they returned to Wisconsin, to continue assisting the communities they had served as Assemblies of God missionaries. In conjunction with this, Jacob Oboth and other Ugandans founded Community Aid Network Uganda (CAN-U) to administer TCAN-funded programs in Uganda. TCAN's focus is on education and health care.




Preschool Children and Teacher

One of TCAN's projects was the construction of a preschool in Muwafu. It was built with funds provided by TCAN and the Knights of Columbus from St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Altoona, Wisconsin. The villagers named it Don and Ruth Community Nursary School. It is now self-sufficient. It consists of two rooms, and employs two teachers and a cook. The school is open only in the morning. We visited it on our last day in Uganda, and the children sang for us.



Worship at Muwafu (Uganda) Assemblies of God Church (2)

Worship at Muwafu (Uganda) Assemblies of God Church (1)

An Incredible Day with Students Sponsored by TCAN

One of the purposes of this mission trip was to meet students supported by TCAN.  We met about 15 students and a few TCAN graduates at a nearby school at Muwafu village.  We met another 10 students at Tororo on another day.  The students welcomed us with songs from their hearts.  We were brought to tears by their songs and their gratitude. They thanked TCAN, for giving them, through the generosity of their sponsors, opportunities to study that they otherwise could not afford.  They have dreams to be future doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, pilots, nurses, and other professions.  TCAN is changing society through making of tomorrow's leaders. 

We took pictures of each individual sponsored student.  While pictures were being taken, other students wrote letters to their sponsors or drew pictures for them.  Many of the children from the community also joined us that day.  We brought some craft activities for the students.  They made a hanging plaque to remind  them to "Always Trust in Lord as Daniel Did"; and they also made a chain with a cross to remind them that God is always with them.  After the craft activity, the children performed a traditional African dance for us and we taught them the American "Chicken Dance."  The last event that the children participated in was a three-legged race.  We had a wonderful and joyful day with the children and the community. 

At the end of the day, the parents gave us a goat, a pig, a rooster, and thank you notes for the support that they received from TCAN to send their children to school.

Let the Little Children Come to Me

During our journey in Uganda, God continued to open our eyes to the needs of the people.  As we were having tea and bread with Fr. Augustine, he mentioned that the church also has a school called St. Theresa Elementary School (after St. Theresa of Lisieux).  Some of you may still remember that we  lost a daughter 13 year ago and her name is Theresa, who was named after St. Theresa of Lisieux, the Little Flower.  Therefore, we asked to have a visit to the school. 

When we arrived, we could hardly believe what we saw.  The school is housed in a partially collapsed building.  As you see in the picture on the right, part of the building has collapsed due to old age.

The children politely greeted us when we entered the classroom. Approximately 80-90 elementary students were sitting on the floor and writing on a thin note book. There were no tables or chairs in the classroom. No shelves or books. The wall is in need of repair and new coat of paint. 

The students were delighted to have visitors and were happy to have their pictures taken.

Looking at the class roster, there is about 30% drop-off rate from first grade to fourth grade.  The rate continues to go up for secondary school.  According to Honorable Jacob Oboth, only about 25% of the population here is literate.   In order to change the future of this community, it is important to invest on the education of these children because they are the future leaders of the community.

 It is a challenge for many families in the villages to send their children to secondary schools.  Most of them are substance farmers.  The cost of tuition is a big factor as the cost of tuition significantly increased to US$100 per term (about 3 months).  Many families in the villages cannot afford to send their children to school.  The salary for an experienced high school teacher is only $100 per month.  Many families live on a budget of less than $3 per day.  Just to give you some idea of the cost of living and prices of goods, a rooster costs about $10, and 2 pounds of flour costs about $0.80.

Meeting with Priests and Archbishop

On Sunday, we attended mass at a Catholic Church at a neighbouring village.  The choir was amazing, especially the drummer.  Children was sitting on the floor in the front and the adults were sitting at the back on benches.  Father Dimas was the celebrant that day.  At the end of the mass, we were given an opportunity to address the congregation and we humbly asked for their prayer for the church in America as America is facing many social issues such as legalizing homosexual marriage and killings of innocent babies in the mother's womb all in the name of free will and personal choice.

We had a good meeting with the parish priests over tea and bread.  We found out that the Catholic church there is also called St. Joseph, which is the same name as our home parish in Arlington, Texas.  They showed us the santuary that they have been trying to build for the last twenty years.  Their last building collapsed and they are currently using a temporary building for services.  At this time, they are collecting funds to put on the roof.  We also had the honor to meet with the archbishop of Tororo, Archbishop Denise Lote Kiwanuka.  We discussed the possible partnership with TCAN and building a relationship between our churches.

 

From the Left: James, Archbishop Denise Lote Kiwanuka, and Christina

 

Needs of Healthcare Center

Delivery Room

We visited the rural Health Center Level IV at the town of Tororo and the rural Health Center Level II at the village of Muwafu.  Health Center IV has a maternity ward, a men's unit, a women's unit, and a pediatric unit.  Each unit has about 10 beds.  The delivery room was most shocking.  There are two delivery beds with minimal equipment and comfort.  The doctor said about 75% of pregnant women receive prenatal care, but only 25% go to a health center to deliver mainly due to the lack of transportation.  The laboratory has no running water due to problems with the plumbing system for the hospital.  The administration explained that it would require approximately US $600 dollars to repair, which could take two years or more for them to receive the funding from the government.  Without proper plumbing system, it increases the risk of health care workers to infectious diseases.  We took a few minutes to encourage the patients and families.





Addressing the patients and families at the women's unit



     

Pediatric Unit

  
 





Laboratory



Currently, Honorable Jacob Oboth is trying to raise money to buy a used ambulance from Japan, which would cost US $20,000.  There is no ambulance at this time to bring patients to the health center or the hospital.  During an emergency, family members would try to borrow a motorcycle from neighbors to transport their loved one to the health center.  Recently, a pregnant woman died on the way to the health center because she was not able to get to the health center in time.   Fortunately, the baby survived the delivery.  The doctor at the health center uses his personal vehicle to deliver patients to the hospital, which is at least 2 hours away.

Doctor's vehicle is used as an ambulance to deliver patients to hospital.

We also visited the Health Center Level II at  the Muwafu Village.  This clinic was founded by Don and Ruth Newville and is supported by Trinity Community Aid Network (TCAN).   A retired nurse, Nancy, screens and dispenses medication to patients according to their health conditions.  Patients not responding to treatment are referred to Health Center III.   

Welcome Ceremony

Due to the road and traffic condition, we arrived three hours late to the Welcome Ceremony held at the Muwafu Assembly of God.  The church was packed with adults and children.  Outside of the church, groups of children were playing with each other.  As we got out of the car, cheers and songs broke out.  They welcomed us to their village with hugs and tears as they remembered Don and Ruth Newville, Jim's parents, who served them here from 1994-2002.

The church was gathered with local leaders, church pastors from Catholic, Evangelical and Assembly of God churches, community leaders, villagers and children.  These leaders had worked with Don and Ruth at one point or another, and were here to welcome us and to pay tribute to late Don Newville who returned to the Lord in 2010.   This was a historical day for this community with these leaders and pastors gathering together under one roof.  Since we were late, these key leaders of the community were able to meet and share with each other of their goals and concerns.  On this day, we felt that the purpose of us for coming to Uganda to renew the relationship of the community was fulfilled.  We trust in the Lord that the Spirit of the Lord will continue to guide them and to help them build a better future.

Each of us were given an opportunity to address the audience and to give a teaching.  Following the teaching and prayer, a brief memorial service was held for Don Newville.  Jacob and others shared  how Dad had touched their lives.  Our eyes were filled with tears as each of them took turns to offer their condolences to us.  Never had we experienced this outpouring of love elsewhere.  Seeing the needs of the community and experienced the love the people, we understood why Mom and Dad answered the call to stay in Uganda for so many years.

The ceremony ended with songs of joy to celebrate the life of Don Newville and our arrival.  We rejoiced in the Lord with the villagers and the children.

 

Life at Muwafu Village, Uganda

When we arrived at the village, we saw huts made from mud and straw.  It was hard to believe that in today's society with advanced technology and science, people still live in a simple one-room hut with bare neccesities.  They have no electricity, no running water, or any sewer system.  One lady, Georgina, showed us her hut and kitchen.  Inside the hut, she has a thin mat on the ground for sleeping, and piles of harvested peanuts.  There were no tables, chairs, shelves, or other furniture. 

 

Some people has a separate covered kitchen for cooking, others simply cook outdoors.  They use wood, charcoal, or wood shavings as fuel.  There are no refrigerators, microwaves, toasters, ovens or blenders.

A separete enclosure made of banana leaves is used for shower with collected rain water or water from a nearby well.  Near the shower, is a simple outdoor latrine with no sewer system. 

Outdoor Shower

An outdoor latrine used as a toilet facility

 

July 31

After weeks of preparation, we left for Uganda with much anticipation and excitement. We flew on KLM Airlines from DFW airport to Amsterdam, from Amsterdam to Kigali, Rwanda, then from Kigali to Entebbe, Uganda. Though it took us about 19 hours of flight time plus 4 hours in transit; overall, it was a nice trip. The air hostesses were friendly and meals were delicious. The flight was occupied mainly by Westerners. There were at least two other teams of missionaries going to Uganda and a team going to Kenya. We were received warmly by Jacob Oboth at the airport.

We spent our first day in Kampala. Jacob took us around the town. We saw shacks used for stores and residences, big billboards lining the city landscape, busy roads with cars, small vans packed with 10-15 people, and numerous motorcyclists who do not follow traffic laws. Jim is thankful that he was not driving here in Kampala. Maybe he will try in a few days when we arrive at the village. We visited Don and Ruth’s old friend, Mr. Sekaran, from Malaysia. All past 3 prime ministers from Malaysia had visited him. We attended part of parliament proceedings, were introduced to the parliament, and witnessed some Uganda politics.  Tomorrow we will take a three-hour drive to Tororo and area villages.

Preparation for Mission to Uganda

6-3-2013

It has almost been a year since we returned from Mission of Love to Japan to reach out to tsunami victims.  Since our return, Jim and I have been praying where the Lord will be sending us next.  We felt that the Lord is calling us to Uganda this summer to continue the relationship that Jim's parents, Don and Ruth Newville, started.  This call has been confirmed over and over again during our prayer times as well as through the warmth response that we received from Uganda.  The mission to Uganda is a step of faith to answer God's call to trust Him in sending us to faraway land where we are unfamilair with.

Jim and I (Christina) will be embarking a 12-days trip to Uganda at the end of July.  We are planing to do some teaching and praying with the people, reaching out to the children, and rekindle the connections with our brothers and sisters in Uganda.

Please keep us in your prayer as we prepare for this mission trip.  Please pray that the Lord will provide for our needs and keep us and our family safe and healthy at all time.  Jim's mother and sister will be taking care of our children while we are in Uganda.