Visiting – Derek, Ivan, Robert, Shaffick and Dan’s family, collecting Omoding. Enrolling Augustine for DIT exams. Griffin and Joseph start internships. Joshua, Kasita, Johnson, Kodet, Saviour, Sula and Victor return

Dear friends,

Last Monday the young boys went to football and won a cup for being top of their league. They are obviously really pleased with themselves. Joshua arrived at my apartment for breakfast that morning following his school trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park and the hot springs in Fort Portal. I then dropped him and Jade to Kajjansi and they caught a taxi and boda to George’s Place, before I proceeded to work. Jade spent time with the older boys teaching them card games and getting to know them. Dennis has returned to his father in Gulu as he is studying for his A level exams during the holidays.

On Tuesday, Jade, Jessie (driving) Peace and I travelled. We first met Augustine in Mukono and took him to Hope International in Buikwe where we have enrolled him for a month in November, to study and take his DIT examination in building so that he can hopefully then get into the army. The Principal gave us the DIT certificates for all our boys who finished there last year. Augustine then travelled back to Mukono and we proceeded to Iganga where we met Derek working at the garage, we took him for lunch, checked he was fine and went on to Mbale where we stayed the night. Wednesday morning we travelled to Sironko to see Ivan.

On our way we saw a naked lady staggering along the busy main road, we stopped, dressed her in some clothes we had and gave her food and water. After returning from seeing Ivan she was just laying by the side of the road so we connected with two police ladies who kindly took her to a clinic where she still remains – we have paid for her treatment and they are looking for her family – it appears she had been attacked by a group of men. She comes from further north, so speaks a different tribal language and they had to find someone to translate.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭

Ivan was fine, we gave him a laminated copy of his DIT certificate. He is managing well and selling the clothes he makes. We will look into buying him a hand knitting machine so that he can start making jumpers etc. The solar panel we bought him is on the roof and he has a light and plug so he can charge his phone – he is doing really well.

After stopping in Mbale for lunch we drove to Tororo and collected Omoding who we were bringing back to Garuga with us, we then went to Malaba and found Robert, he has changed the salon where he works and seems fine. Following this we went to Bugiri and met Shaffick, sadly his mother had just lost a baby. We are planning for Shaffick to come on the camp next week and to spend a couple of weeks at George’s Place as we felt he was struggling. We spent the night in Iganga.

The following morning we went to find Derek again and took him some T-shirts before driving to Kayunga and seeing Dan’s family. On the way we stopped to view some rapids on the Nile. Jade and I investigated a small cave which you had to crawl through! All good fun and beautiful scenery.

It’s the school holidays and we wanted to make sure that Dan’s family had food over the holiday period – George and Shila were working in the fields but the rest of the family were around. Jane, the youngest, is looking fine though the house was very damp. We bought them posho, beans, rice, sugar, soap etc.

Arriving in Kampala, after dropping Peace, we met Griffin who is doing an internship at Skyz Hotel (a very smart hotel), and took him back to Garuga. Joyce and John who don’t live far from the hotel have agreed that he can stay at their home whilst he is working so this will probably happen over the weekend. It was a busy few days away but we seem to have accomplished many things.

Friday Jade and I went back to Garuga as Kasita and Johnson have both returned. Tresor arrived with Kodet, Sula, Victor and Saviour so nearly a full house. Jade played Jenga and Connect 4 most of the afternoon. I taught young Denis how to sew and mend one of the chair cushions. We returned again on Saturday afternoon to pack the car with mattresses, craft activities and games for the camp as Ian is taking my car and driving to Mbarara on Monday to meet us at Lake Mburo on Tuesday. We took the young boys swimming whilst the older ones watched football on the television.

Many thanks for all your love and support. The boys school reports are good. Please be praying for our protection as we travel and enjoy the camp, also as Mpox is in the Entebbe area.

With love and prayers.

Jane x