Sunday 7th January, 2024
Dear friends,
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year.
New Year’s Eve the boys went to see the fireworks at Victoria Mall and weren’t home until 2am! Lots of excitement for the young ones.
New Year’s Day saw us having a day out at the Botanical Gardens with a boat ride and picnic. We arrived about 10.50am as we had booked a boat for 11am – not a boat in site! Phone calls were made and at about 11.15am a boat arrived – not the right one! – we were told our boat would be there shortly. Eventually the boat arrived and after discussions with the ‘skipper’ on charges which had risen we embarked on our ride. Dennis asked me to swap life jackets with him as he didn’t think the one I had on was good enough. We were back about 15 mins later – I was very unhappy, so asked to see the ‘boss’ – further discussions took place and we went off for another boat ride with the ‘boss’ this time, along the coast – we saw a couple of monitor lizards on the rocks and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. It is not always easy in Uganda! The boys were very happy with me as we definitely got value for money.
”For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.“ Isaiah 41:13
We then found Ian who had parked the minibus in a shaded spot and unpacked our picnic of sausages, chapatis, hard boiled eggs (the boys had prepared everything) and crisps. I had bought 60 sausages which seemed to disappear very quickly! The boys then played football, badminton, whilst I unravelled the kite (not really enough wind) and entertained themselves. Ian and Sam had prepared some games but everyone wanted to do their own thing which was fine. It was a lovely afternoon and I think we should take the boys there more often as they loved the freedom of being able to run around and explore the beaches and grounds – we didn’t lose anyone!
I’ve had a quiet week, sorting out money and the plumber, as there were a few water problems at George’s Place in the bathrooms, hopefully all is well now.
Thursday morning I collected Peace from the office and we went to George’s Place to see and talk with some of the older boys. Three of our boys in Primary School have really grown up, so we asked them to consider going for vocational training. Yusuf (Joseph) is very gifted in art, handicrafts and sport and wants to join a sports academy so we’ll be looking around. Victor and Savior would both like to do a car mechanics course. We also spoke with Simon Peter who is looking for accommodation near his mother, Simon is driving his boda and working now and we feel needs to be resettled. It had been Peace’s birthday on the 2nd so we had cake and sodas – more celebrations!
Robert has started his work experience and is learning manicuring in a shop in Entebbe. Dennis has started driving lessons (he told me he could now drive the minibus – hopefully the keys are locked way). He now has his Learners Driving Permit. Kodet, Savior and Kasita have arrived back from their relatives.
Peace and I will be busy in the next few weeks as Ronald, New Brian, Ivan and Derek will need to be resettled. Brian is back in Nebbi already staying with his grandmother and working in a garage, Ivan is near Sippi Falls, we will help him start up a small tailoring business, Derek is with his father in Mayuge and hopefully has found work locally in a garage this Christmas. Ronald has been in our care a long time and due to family issues has never returned to Mubende, I am not sure that he can go back there. Prayers please, most of the boys want to stay near George’s Place which is understandable especially for those who are orphans, Godfrey and Tim call in daily at times, but our aim is to reconcile these boys with their relatives. We have to meet the Probation Officers in these areas, not always easy even when we make appointments.
With all good wishes for 2024.
Love Jane
