Teaching young mums vocational skills. Can you help?

Included in the Youth for Christ ministry in Uganda is teaching vocational skills to young mums. At Idudi, and also in Kampala, this year they are learning tailoring.

Quite a few of these girls had to leave school to have their babies and haven't been able to go back for various reasons.

Rebecca is the gorgeous woman who teaches tailoring at Idudi. 

(She's the same generous woman from my previous post)

The girls are making some good garments

but they are hindered in their progress because of lack of good equipment. They are down to two very old machines for 8 girls. They are on their last legs and these two and a couple of others that are out of action will be costly to repair. It touched my heart, as so many things do in this country.

New machines cost 400,000 Ugandan shillings (around Australian $160). This is a basic one but stronger and more durable would be around 500,000 Ugs (just under $200)

I just wondered if there is anyone who would like to help these girls and Uganda YFC by buying some new sewing machines.

If this is something you would be interested in, please privately email me on justjanie2010@gmail.com

Generosity at Idudi

I was privileged to see and to be the recipient of the wonderful generosity of these lovely people who 

have no funds to complete their houses

 but want to give generously to others.

I left Annette and John's house with delicious pineapple, mangoes and tomatoes.

Rebecca and her husband, Menya, sent me home with  avocadoes, passionfruit and greens,

and a chicken (alive, of course, because without refrigeration it will need to be alive until its time to eat it)!!

I was unsure what to do with my chicken until it is ready to eat, but we have come up with a solution. She is now in residence at Mirembe House (where the YFC offic also is) in Kampala until she is ready to be 'cut'. I'm not sure if that will be before I leave Uganda or not.

 When we left Idudi for the return journey to Kampala we had a van loaded with more chickens (tucked in at the right),

  a HUGE home grown jackfruit,

 

sacks of freshly picked mangoes,

 eggplants and cassava,

 

 passionfruit seedlings to grow more at home, lots of ripe passionfruit and some very happy passengers. I'm learning so much about generosity in Uganda.

Staying at Mary's house

When we were at Idudi last week we stayed at Jajja (grandmother) Mary‘s house. 

  And I became Jajja Jane for those few days too.

 

Mary is 60 and a widow, a mother and a grandmother and works with YFC and so we have plenty in common. We had lots of opportunity to talk and share and pray together. We became good friends in a short time.

 

 Because I am Muzungu (white person), whenever I was out the front of the house I was swamped by little dark skinned people who wanted to have their photos taken. I am always happy to oblige. Aren’t they just beautiful?

 

Renting from Mary in the shop-front next door is another Mary and her little daughter Desire.  A very different sort of shop from Aussie shops.

 Mary and I walked to the office together in the mornings through the maize crop and along the village paths.

 

Mary’s house is filled with many family members, as is common in Africa. These little ones are mostly grandchildren and they’re enjoying the mangoes that are in season. Most locals just eat them skin and all, like we would an apple.

  Cooking is a very communal thing and Jajja Mary and my ‘YFC buddy’ Mary spent time just sitting and chatting while meal preparation and cooking took place.

 I wanted to help but they were not keen on the idea. Sadly I am treated rather ‘specially’. 

                          That is their way and I respect it, but would love to be more helpful sometimes.

 

Life was very simple and very good at Mary’s house and I had a great time being an Idudi ‘local’ for a few days. Well, that I’ll never be, but I really enjoyed the slower pace and the simple way of life there and spending quality time with quality people. 

God is allowing me to have some wonderful experiences here – more good gifts from a father who loves His children.  God is good to me all the time.

Visit to Idudi in Eastern Uganda

 YFC in Uganda has ministry centres in Kampala and also at Idudi in the east and Gulu in the north. Last week Mary, Luke and I travelled to Idudi for three days to visit the team there. Hoping to visit Gulu before I leave Uganda.

I had the BEST time.

.

 Idudi is just east of Jinja on this map.

 YFC Uganda has a van and a driver and so we headed off in the van with Luke. 

 

We passed sugar cane

and tea plantations

 and rice fields along the way.

It was about 5 hours drive with lots of photo opportunities along the way :)

At Idudi the ministry is headed by the very beautiful (inside and out) Annette. She is still on leave after giving birth to her third son, but we spent time together each day.

I was able to spend quality time with Annette talking about the ups and downs of leading the ministry at Idudi with all the challenges that come with it.

   

  I spent time with the young mums who are doing the tailoring course with Rebecca.

and had a good time also with the young YFC volunteers who visit schools in the area.

The nights were filled with wonderful dinners out with Annette’s and Rebecca’s families. Dinner was early because they have no power and we need to be done by just after 7pm when it gets dark. What beautiful and generous people these are. Each night I was sent home with bountiful gifts – humbling indeed. More details soon.

We planted trees for posterity and for adding to the food supply. Mine was an orange tree.

 

We picked mangoes which are in season right now and so very plentiful. Yum.

And we simply enjoyed being at that restful and peaceful place as the locals walked and cycled up and down the quiet road to the trading centre and back. And we enjoyed spending quality time together.

God blessed our time together so much and I am increasingly surprised at how He allows me to be a blessing in the lives of these committed and special people who are part of the wonderful worldwide family of Youth for Christ.

An sms from Annette after we left said: "Thank you, friend, for being there for us and having us at heart. Your coming has not left us the same.We feel you have accomomdated us in your hearts." It's true. I have found a place for them to live in there.

Community 'working bee'

As I have started attending Watoto Church in Kampala and joined a local cell group, I went with 'our lot' to the community project on Saturday. Each year all the cell groups (which is hopefully all of the church) in each of the 10 Watoto churches Uganda-wide contributes to a specific need in their community. A project is identified that will help the community and that Watoto can partner with the community to achieve. 

My area located this bridge that the community needs to cross to get from one area to another: shops to school, home to shops etc

Most of the materials had been delivered before Saturday morning in readiness.

 Some had to be brought in on the day.

 

Lots of meetings took part throughout the day as decisions had to be made and plenty of people wanted to share ownership.

It was great to see the locals taking part.

The secondary school girls carried stones 

 and so did the little kids.

 

This little guy was the star of the day.

When I went back to take the photos today I met him again, this time with his mummy. I’m hoping to write a post about that encounter soon. It was very special.

 

Lots of people 

 
worked hard, 

 very hard,

some pretended to work hard,

kids took advantage of the new 'play equipment',

plenty watched   

 
 and everyone had a good time.

I got pretty distracted by photo opportunities and got some great shots in the community. Another blog post coming soon.
 

Slight miscalculation of time and at 6pm they had achieved this much on both sides.

 I had to leave at midday as I had a friend coming for lunch, but I walked back down there today to take these photos.

Think I’ll be ‘up country’ when they go to complete the project this Saturday, but I plan to go down and take some more photos of the finished bridge next week. I’ll let you see the result.