Katonda yebale!

So many things to tell you about and so little time….

We will start with the good. Library funding is complete! Thanks to all of you, we have surpassed the goal and will even have extra to put towards building upkeep. The building is going up and is looking fantastic. I promise to keep you updated as it is built and will send pictures when it opens. Thank you is not enough express my and the children’s gratitude to everyone who gave or helped to raise money.

Last Saturday, I organized a HIV/AIDS awareness and testing day in my village of Ssanje. They have never done something like this before in my community so it was a bit nerve-racking planning such an event. There is a lot of negative stigma here associated with HIV so we weren’t sure if anyone would come to get tested. We had a post test club (group of people living with HIV/AIDS) drama group some to perform songs and a drama about getting tested followed by whole day of free HIV/AIDS testing. The day was sponsored by a great friend of COU, Mike Oppenshaw. We ended up having a great turn out, about 300 people showed up to see the drama (see picture). The stage was made by some pieces of material and poles stuck into the ground, but the message was great and I believe it was a success. There were 65 people who tested, which maybe doesn’t seem like a lot to you, but for a village where testing is looked down upon and feared by so many, this is a great number. Some people I work with in Ssanje were estimating that perhaps 10 would show up to get tested. So 65, not to shabby.

A very bright note is that I got a light bulb in my house!!!!!!!! One fabulous, bright, illuminating light bulb. It was put in two days ago and already has made such a difference in my life. The priests I live with put a solar panel on their house and asked if I would like a light for my room. Would I like a light bulb. HAHAHA, YES! In the midst of a country that is struggling to find development, and working with an organization that is struggling to keep going, a light may be rather insignificant, but it has brought me so much joy.

Children of Uganda is going through some major changes right now. The children are in need of all of your help financially. COU is providing loving care for over 700 orphans and vulnerable children. There are so many children who depend on us to provide necessities for life as well as love for their souls. Please go to www.childrenofuganda.org to donate if you feel inspired to do so.

I hope you are all well.

Love, love, love,

Sarah

Children dancing along with the songs about HIV/AIDS at the testing day.

to cool for school, a kid who showed up to the drama performance was fascinated with my sunglasses.