Thanks to you sending donations, Wasswa and Hausi have started school!

No more sitting around all day, these boys are so happy to be able to go out and learn and have fun despite their disability - thank you!

The outcome of the video and your donations total so far... £3159.28

-text below-

Nappies, curtains, pots/pans, mattresses, bed, bed sheets, SCHOOL FEES PAID

Look who started school! Thank you!

I've been home for seven weeks and donations have still continued. Your support for me and more importantly the children in Uganda has been incredible. Although donations can and are still being made, people would like to know the total so far, so after adding up what has been sent, I am able to tell you that for the children at Home of Hope we have raised:

£3159.28

I can't even explain how much impact this has and is making to the kids. You have brought comfort, peace and fun to the home: 

• The first thing I noticed when I walked into Home of Hope back in February was the children lying on a concrete floor in their own urine. It broke my heart but NOW they are lying on waterproof, wash-proof mattresses, wearing washable nappies. 

• They have new clothes that aren't worn out.

• Their meals are being cooked outside on a stove in big pans, unworn, with no cracks.

• Baby Waswa and Joseph now have a bunk bed to sleep in, giving them space and comfort at night.

• Flies in the home are greatly reduced, meaning they wont keep landing on the children who are unable to even swat them away, due to fly curtains in the doorways and mesh held by timber over the windows.

• 50 bed sheets have been bought, sold in Ugandan markets but imported from the west. Good quality children's character bed sheets that will not wear out as fast as others due to the constant daily hand-wash that they go through.

I was able to use some money to buy a music player with speakers. The workers at home of hope built a shelf high up where I put this, and the day I played the music was incredible. Seeing the kids' faces light up as music filled the room was amazing and watching how they all danced; some jumping around, some waving the one arm that they are able to move, and some kicking their legs from the lay down position they are limited to. Each child had a unique way of moving but each child loved to dance and enjoy the songs. This may not improve them physically but I believe it will give them happiness and positivity every day, especially to the ones who really cannot move around.

Bed sheets from the west, repaired by Ugandans at
the markets and sold

  

And lastly, my friends Waswa and Hausi are GOING TO SCHOOL.

When I got to know Waswa in my first few weeks in Uganda, I knew straight away that he was a very clever boy despite his head condition. To finally see him be supported by you and able to attend school along with Hausi was and is one of the best things I have ever seen.

During my last week in Uganda they began school and I went to see them on the Wednesday. They were just so so happy and constantly saying "thank you very much", I know for a fact that they understand and appreciate your help.

They will continue schooling with the remains of the donations, as everything else I said the home needed has been covered now! So they both have a number of years at school using the money from you, and if anyone would like to add an extra term or year onto this for their future please contact me or donate :-)

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/helpforhomeofhope

Hi everyone,
I know a lot of people are wanting to see the last few posts that haven't been published yet and to read about my final weeks in Uganda and how it is now I'm home.
I haven't forgotten about it! Just been very busy straight back to work etc.
I plan to post the amount raised from the video and campaign for home of hope and where the money was used in a post in the next few days too.
Sorry for the delay, I'm currently making a video about my 4 months there as well as planning a talk for the evening service at church this weekend so I'll do my best to fit it in :-)

Apologies

Two days laft, so crazy. I'm trying to cram so many things in before I go. Home visits, goodbyes, thankyous, packing, sorting the last of the campaign things including school fees as the term starts this week... lots!
Wanted to apologise for the lack of posts on the past week or so, it has been ridiculously busy and stressful (in a good way)
At first I thought it would look stupid if I post once I'm home but I've now convinced myself it wont.
I have lots of bits that I just need to put together so I'll publish a load of posts when I'm home as so many exciting and interesting things have happened recently!
Keep checking my Instagram or Facebook as they are quick updates that I can do with small bits of free time.

Also a big sorry to anyone who I haven't replied to or haven't kept in touch with in the last two weeks, I'm not intentionally ignoring you and when I'm home in two days I'll try and get back to everyone! 

Xxx

Easter and bringing "Frozen" to Uganda

Easter day is almost like Christmas here, and so it should be - one of the most important parts in Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus and the Ugandans celebrate this.

 It really puts things in perspective. After church the celebrations include treating everyone to sodas and a big meal with chicken. The excitement of the kids for these luxuries is huge. It made me realise again now lucky we are as most of us each chicken all the time, and fizzy drinks are very normal in our lives rather than a luxury. But these simple things can really be enjoyed here during special days.

All the kids from the Village of Hope were in the main hall, eating the food that the eight mothers had prepared together. The food was soooo good and the atmosphere was lovely.

In the evening we put up a white sheet and set up the projector. I never payed attention to the film "Frozen" when I was home (even though I was working at Subway who were promoting it) however since coming here was given the DVD which the kids where I stay and I have watched numerous times (and they won't stop singing the songs)

I played Frozen and the kids were each given a little pot of ice-cream as we sat in the dark watching the film on our make shift cinema screen and they also now love the songs too. :-)

I also kept a creme egg all this time so that I wouldn't completely miss Easter chocolate....

More kids helping kids

So a while ago I took 13 boys from the Village of Hope to Home of Hope disability home for the day where they did some cleaning and painting and spent time with the kids. Click to see post.

This week I took (I think it was) 20 girls aged 11-18 from the Village of Hope to the same place so they could also experience what it was like.

We had such a good day, a group of 6 of the girls spent over an hour washing clothes (by hand) for the home as the children go through numerous clothes each per day.

 Some of the girls pushed kids around outside in the wheelchairs.

They spent time sitting and holding the babies and children who can't crawl or sit up, and singing to them - it was lovely to see them caring for the children like that.

Esther was brilliant she spent time with so many of the children really trying to let them have fun, she even spent time with Prossy who is 24, has hydrocephalus (large head due to build up of fluid on the brain) and lies on a bed all day. She was put in a wheelchair and Esther spent a long time just speaking to her in local language, singing and reading a book with her.

Esther singing to Prossy who lies on a bed all day

The girls mopped the floor throughout the home and enjoyed some rice, posho and beans for lunch.

They also pushed the children on the swings which the boys painted and put up a few weeks ago when I brought them!!

Again, it's great to see kids who have been saved from suffering and given better lives, visiting and spending time with less fortunate children.

End of term

 

The Easter holidays have arrived and school is finished. I was happy to be invited to the teachers' end of term meeting / meal.

This consisted of chicken and pork and rice and Irish potatoes and was verrrry nice. Also fizzy drinks which always come out on special occasions.

I had to first sit through a meeting where we went through every class and every lesson discussing achievements and challenges which took a lot longer than I expected but I suppose I'm not used to being a teacher and having these kind of talks.

We discussed ways of motivating children to work harder and behave better, however when I suggested using reward systems and working towards rewards (using the example of Samuel who loves football and saying that if he worked hard he can join in football in sports sessions at the end of the day, and if he misbehaved he would not be able to participate in what he loves) and a lot of the teachers were insistent that this was not a good idea. I explained that I though he'd definitely behave if he knew he could play his favourite game with his classmates, as opposed to sitting and watching if he does not behave. 

One teacher said to me that that might work in England but the children are different here...

I told her that the system doesn't ALWAYS work at home either but it can be a good method to encourage kids to work to goals. Also kids here might have a completely different life and live with a lot less that kids at home, however they are children and children are very similar wherever they are from. They can be cheeky, push boundaries and forget their manners. Anyway the teachers said they might trial it next term so we will see.

The results of the exams the children just did turned out good. Some of the P7s felt they could have done better but they haven't been at this school for long since moving from another local primary school so they had some catching up to do. They have improved their grades in comparison to last term and that's the main thing.

I have really enjoyed being part of the staff at Jinja Christian Primary School, the teachers are lovely, I have had opportunities to teach lessons every week without having had training - something I couldn't just do in England - I've lead chapel doing a talk in from of the whole school which was a good learning experience, and been able to watch the class I have been helping improving and learning more about English and seeing them gaining confidence in reading and writing in different styles. Very grateful for the opportunity!

If you only ever read one of my posts, please let it be this one

Please watch the video but then read this post, I know it looks like a boring load of writing but it could change their lives and I've made it as short and interesting as possible!

Note:

This has been an odd two weeks. I've been working on the video and post in the little free time I get and things would conveniently stop me like power cuts etc. Also have limited resources here, I can only use movie maker to make the videos which is very very very frustrating when using lots of clips, doesn't do a lot and keeps force closing and corrupting my work. 

So please forgive me for any amateurism or mistakes, as well as if I've seemed a bit stressy recently! I can now get back to my normal self.

So on the motorbike one day I was thinking about my time here and how I want to really make a difference. I know I am doing a lot each day but I just felt like there was more I could do to help and I just prayed something would come up to show me how I can help...

Edith

However, I didn't spend most of the afternoon with the kids this time. Edith was there, she is the lady who started the whole thing, and I spent a long long time just talking to her and finding our her story. It is so inspirational and she is extremely strong and brave and if you have a few spare minutes I encourage you to read my post about her (click here)

Wanting to help

Of all the places I visit each week, there's something inside me that really really wants to help Home of Hope and the children. I have seen some orphanages with children with awful backgrounds and also very sick, however they are now in good care, with stable funding and are well established charities.

I feel Home of Hope could do with some more help, just some small things I've noticed which I think (with the help of you) we can change.

If you haven't watched the video now would be a good time to watch it to see who I'm aiming to help...

Sending things isn't the best answer

After visiting the markets here I now realise that although collecting things and sending them over here would be lovely and make us feel great and people are more likely to collect items than money...

... it actually is less of a help than buying it here. Because,

1. Everything is SO much cheaper here, 

2. Postage costs to here are SO high for large packages, and

3. the amount of stuff I saw in the market was unbelievable. Mountains and mountains of clothes, shoes, furniture... the list goes on. Everything. And most of it appears to come from places like England. Piles of clothes with designer clothes mixed in and nobody even realizes what they're worth. 
Anyway, however they got all this stuff, my point is that buying things here is a better way to help the local economy and also support the people trying to sell things at the market. 

The main bit...

SO. Here is my proposal. I have had an AMAZING amount of support from friends, family and people I don't even know. Thank you so much. The financial help when raising money to come here was great, and now that I'm here I really want to make a difference to these children's lives. 

I feel the amount of support from you guys is a huge opportunity for us to help these kids, and for us individually it would be the tiniest effort ever; like I said, everything is much cheaper here so our money goes a very long way. I would love to raise money to really help them here, but your thoughts and prayers are equally as important as not everyone is able to give financially.

In the UK we value people with disabilities just as anyone else, they are not outcast or abandoned, so I hope we can use this heart and mindset to help the children at the bottom of society here.

The best thing about what I'm going to ask of you, is that if you choose to help, you will be able to see the outcomes.

I am here right now. (at 2am inside my mosquito net) 

...I am in Uganda, and so I can SHOW you the change. YOU WILL SEE DIRECTLY WHERE YOUR HELP HAS GONE

Wasswa and Hausi

The two boys

After spending some time on walks with the boys, noticing how clever they were, I asked Edith why Waswa and Hausi (pronounced "house") don't go to school like three of four of the other kids do that are able enough. 

The only reason is there is no money to pay their fees...

Waswa and Hausi both have Hydrocephalus which is a build up of fluid on the brain. The excess fluid puts pressure on the brain and damage it. Most cases result in an abnormally large head. (It can also cause paralysis of some of the body, mental disabilities, and in some cases death.)

Luckily for Waswa and Hausi, they are very clever young boys. They cannot move the lower half of their bodies, but I believe they would really benefit from going to school and learning. They can even speak some English to me; they are very cheeky, funny and love to rap.

After watching the video, if you feel you could help towards fees to send them to school, it would be such an incredible opportunity for them and greatly appreciated.

Baby Bunks

Waswa and Joseph are two babies I've spent a lot of time with. Joesph was left abandoned on the grass outside the home a few months ago and we don't know who left him. Waswa suffers from Cerebral Palsy. They are adorable little boys and they now need a bed each (bunk bed which has guards like cots do)

Tony, Rashida, Peter, Geoffrey and I

Lying on concrete is not comfortable

One of the first things I noticed when I came to Home of Hope was the lack of places for children to lie or sit in the day - some just lying on the hard floor, unable to move much.

Many of the children cannot even crawl and so lie on a mattress all day. However there is only one large mattress at the moment, and therefore it is shared by up to eight babies / young children at one time.

Lots of babies and only one mattress...

Towel instead of
nappy

Not only is this cramped and uncomfortable for them, the lack of control over urination means there is constantly wet mess all over the sheets which get worn due to so much washing. 

Pampers disposable nappies are not used here as it is way too expensive. Small towels are tied around the babies bottoms instead but it's much more time consuming and less effective. If any mothers are reading this they will know that this is not ideal in comparison to nappies!

I'm sure you are getting the picture that the home is there, the heart is there but there are some small basic needs that could be fulfilled.

I am desperate to help make life easier and more comfortable for the children and staff, (as it's an extremely hard and tiring job as you can imagine) so I told Edith to write a list of everything she feels the home needs if she were to have enough money to get it all. 

I told her we can't be expectant but to write anything she can think of, and that I would try my best to find help in ticking some things off this list. This includes:

Me feeding Rachel - most children
can't feed themselves

1. School fees for Waswa and Hausi

2. Mattresses with waterproof covers (5)

3. Bed sheets (50)
4. Disposable pampers
5. Curtains for the windows
6. Mosquito nets (30)
7. Big sauce pans for cooking (2 sets)
8. Big kettle
9. Beds for two smallest babies Waswa and Joseph

Edith's email:

Hi Rachael,

Hope you are doing well dear, here is the information you asked for - the list of things we need. 

This is the list but we shall appreciate what ever comes and we can even decide to meet the urgent one though all are urgent, lots of love Home of Hope

Schooling

1- Waswa  Herbert  £62.50  per term or  £187.50 per year.  (250,000 Ugandan shillings per term or 750000 Ugandan shillings per year)

This includes supplies like books, pencils, food, pampers to use while at school.

2- House Gavamukulya. This is the same as for Waswa.

 So, for 2 pupils the cost per year for schooling would be £375.00.  I would love to raise that and more to guarantee them a full life education but little steps first.

List of things we need:

Mattresses for the day time resting, each at £37.50   (150,000 Ugandan shillings) - which include mackintosh which prevents urine spoiling the mattress so last longer. We need 5 mattresses = £187.50 

Bed sheets -each at  £5.00 (20,000 Ugandan shillings) We need 50 bed-sheets= £250.00

Curtain for the windows = £225.00 (900,000 Ugandan shillings)

Washable  pampers  = £125.00 (500,000 Ugandan shillings)

Mosquito nets each at £5.00  (20,000 Ugandan shillings)  We need 30 = £150.00

Big sauce pans,  A set is at £75.00 (300,000 Ugandan shillings)  We need 2 sets = £150.00

Big kettle £15.00 (60,000 Ugandan shillings)
Bunk bed for two babies - total for the bunk bed with guard and two mattresses - £72.50

 After lots of research, emails and advice,  PayPal donate seems to the the safest way to send money to my Uganda account, and you don't need a PayPal account to donate. Any tiny amount will go far here, £1 is 4,000 Ugandan shillings! So please don't think a small donation is useless. If you managed to read this whole post right to the bottom then well done you :) You should probably make it worthwhile now and donate ;)

and THANKYOU for supporting by reading. 

DONATIONS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN ARE NOT BEING COUNTED ANYMORE. THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO HELPED THESE CHILDREN!

Click to view the Facebook page - updates of how donations are being used 

My friends at Home of Hope

Some of the children I visit, 

their disabilities, 

their sad stories about their old lives, 

and how they are different now that they have therapy and good care...

Click here for Edith's story (lady who started and runs Home of Hope)

Click here to see post about how we can help these kids

Waswa (big)

Wasswa

Wasswa is nearly 8 years old. He suffers from Hydrocephalus (excess fluid and pressure in brain enlarges head). He cannot use the bottom half of his body but luckily he is mentally OK. His father died when Wasswa was 1 week old, and he was left with his mother who was very sick due to HIV. He was left in the house alone and occasionally fed by passers by. He was eventually taken by the probation officer to Home of Hope. He is a very cheeky and extremely funny boy (you may have seen his videos already). He loves to rap and always says "excuse me" in any situation. Waswa was one of the first children I got to know well as I took him on a very long walk (not realising how far we'd gone) in my second week in Uganda. I love how clever he is and his ability to speak some English with me! Hopefully we will be able to raise enough for him to go to school so he doesn't have to sit at the home all day every day!

Junior

Junior

Junior also suffers from Hydrocephalus. He is only 4. His father was in a motorbike accident and his mother could not cope with looking after both. He is very happy all the time, laughing and smiling. I just want to constantly pick him up and cuddle him!

Little Peter

"Little Peter"

Peter is 5 and suffers from cerebral palsy. He was taken to Home of Hope because his Grandmother could no longer look after him well. He couldn't walk, stand or crawl when he arrived, but thanks to the therapy Home of Hope give him, he now runs around the home, and follows me everywhere, always wanting a cuddle. He looks up at me with the cutest smile and big eyes and I can't say no! Watching him dancing (see videos) always amazes me as he is actually paralysed on one side of his body. He is an incredible little boy!

Big Peter

"Big Peter"

Peter is 7 and also suffers from cerebral palsy. He was found picking rubbish outside a building and was brought to Home of Hope. His condition means his muscles and movement are very strained but he can crawl and also do thumbs up when I ask!

Hausi

Hausi (House)

Hausi is 11 and also has Hydrocephalus. He also can't move his bottom half and sits on the floor with his friends or in a wheelchair. He is, like Wasswa, very clever and hopefully we can raise the funds for him to also go to school!

Geoffrey

Geoffrey

Geoffrey is 14 and extremely energetic! His mother left after having two children with disabilities and his father became an alcoholic. Geoffrey became very malnourished but since moving to Home of Hope is on a nutrition and therapy program and has put on some weight. He cannot speak but loves to cuddle people (or drag them around the home showing them all his friends). He can be difficult sometimes, but he just needs some love and attention.

Pushing Rashida home from school

Rashida

Rashida has sickle cell anaemia and her legs are currently very fragile and weak and cant support her. However she is a very happy and bright little girl. She is sponsored to go to school (in her wheelchair) and is doing really well! The photo shows me pushing her home from school one day :)

Maureen

Maureen

Maureen is 14 and suffers from cerebral palsy. However she is becoming very able, and is attending school. She is learning to talk and although her speech isn't as clear as most of us, it is still understandable. She amazes me - she is pushed home in her wheelchair and then crawls on her knees with her feet facing inwards, climbs onto her bed, goes through all of her clothes, picks an outfit and dresses herself. Its incredible to watch from far away when she isn't aware you're there. She is at Home of Hope due to her parents dying and her grandmother being too old to care for her properly. She's so lovely and always smiling!

Tony

Tony

Tony is almost 7 and suffers from mild Hydrocephalus and a development delay. His mother died due to HIV and his grandmother then just locked him in the house. He was very week when he came to Home of Hope and couldn't even walk or feed himself. Thanks to therapy, he is now walking and running around! He is also getting better at speech and is attending school. He loved to be cuddled and dancing to music.

First time she's
smiled for me!!

Gloria

Gloria is 17 and suffers from cerebral palsy. She is not able to talk or walk but can feed herself and sit with minimum support now. It upsets me to see her always looking distressed or angry. She rarely smiles but after spending an hour one day sat outside with her, talking to her, she eventually gave a few smiles which was the best thing ever! I hope and pray that one day she will somehow be able to talk and communicate with the children and staff.

Waswa (small)

Waswa finally smiling!!

I have a big heart for Waswa. He is 2 and suffers from cerebral palsy. His muscles and limbs are constantly tense and he always appears to be straining and in pain. His eyes are always wide and his fists clenched. He also struggles with breathing a lot of the time. It breaks my heart to see him struggling to do the basic things we don't even think about and not be able to relax or be comfortable. I often hold him against my chest as this upright position seems to be somewhat comfortable for him. And I've finally worked out that if I lift him high in the air and grin at him he will actually smile! It is the best feeling in the world every time I do this with him.

Baby Joseph

Joseph

 Joseph is nearly 2 and suffers from cerebral palsy. He is very floppy and doesn't seem to be able to support his limbs or head. He is such a beautiful baby, yet he was left abandoned on the grass outside Home of Hope one day in February. I have no idea how someone could do that to their child. Edith had no choice but to take him in and he now has therapy and is looked after and fed well.