Makerere

So Many Updates, So Little Space

/ / , , , , , , ,
image

I don’t usually do bullet-list updates, because I love to tell stories. But sometimes we just have so much going on that you should know about… Today is that day, so here we go!

  • Ronald is doing training with Plan International and one of their partner organizations, and has repeatedly been told that they can’t believe there isn’t a “hidden mzungu” somewhere funding everything because we get SO MUCH DONE on such a small budget. Y’all can take a bow, because that’s all YOU!
  • Ronald has also been asked to do a guest lecture at Mkerere University on our work with teen girls and children in the slum! Way to go, Ronald!
  • We had two sewing machine projects funded this week on DonorSee, one for resident teen mom Harriet for her new life in the village, and one for Husinah so she can support her family in the slum. It was all done in one day and both girls were so excited! Harriet is holding the sign, in the black and white strips. We’ll sure miss her!
  • On Sunday, Betty boarded a bus for a week-long intensive training with Neema Development, the provider of our Entrepreneur Training Course. This is going to enable us to expand this course to more girls, and also add the second half of it. Because you all have supported our Literacy program, we can move deeper into the training. Mwebele nnyo!
  • Our new nurse, Brenda, completed her time learning our compound Haven Clinic with Nurse Sherry and is now our full time nurse. We will miss Sherry so much, but we’re excited to welcome Nurse Brenda to the TTS family.
  • And last but definitely not least, we have now had 275 projects funded on DonorSee! That’s over $113,400! If you haven’t checked out our page there, just click here. We always have 10-12 projects up, and we have a new large project in the works which is super exciting. (Yep, that was a teaser… more to come!)

You all are the lifeblood of Ten Eighteen Uganda and Touch the Slum, and the only reason we can do so much to change lives and culture in the Namuwongo slum. We honestly can’t thank you enough for your generosity and support. (Really, take that bow!)

Mwebele nnyo!

Jennings

PS Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram where we have daily video of all that’s happening. When you get 100 people in a small compound every day, there’s always a LOT going on! We also have a YouTube channel with some fun video.

So Many Updates, So Little Space Read More »

Big News About Managing Director Ronald!

/ / , , ,
image

There are so many things I love about this photo. Mama Santa, who is our cook and house mother extraordinaire is also Managing Director Ronald’s mother. She had him when she was 14 years old, has never been to school, and has worked hard against staggering adversity and poverty the past 26 years.

She did her best to make sure her own kids got an education. She worked hard jobs, long hours, and made tremendous sacrifices so they could have a different life than she did.

This weekend, she prayed a blessing over her first born as he got ready to take the stage and graduate with a Degree in Women and Gender Studies from Makerere University in Kampala.

I can’t imagine the emotions she felt, but I know she danced and ululated and laughed and feasted on cake as she celebrated. It was beautiful — and what an amazing example to the teen moms in her care as they witnessed the miracle.

Ronald has accomplished so much, and still has a heart for the community he grew up in. He is the most administratively gifted person I’ve ever known, and I am very fortunate to be working with him to create Touch the Slum.

We are so proud of both Ronald and Mama Santa – hit REPLY to send them messages of congratulations and I’ll pass them on!

Blessings,

Jennings

PS We have a new project up on DonorSee for resident teen mom Christine’s exit package. Christine has been with us for about a year, coming when her daughter was under a week old. She’s done wonderfully in Basic and now Advanced Tailoring, and will graduate when I’m there on April 8th. We’d love your help to get her home set up when she moves out (soon!). Just click!

Christine’s Exit Package

Big News About Managing Director Ronald! Read More »