THIS YEAR we have seen new departments joining ToRCH but we are also seeing departments leaving...

Helping Disabled Children

Spring of Hope has been the name of a team working with families of Disabled Children. The focus has been on assisting parents so that the children get a best possible start in life. This program has been running since August 2004. And now Spring of Hope and its team will be leaving the YWAM umbrella to become independant

Mary Zema - Co-ordinator for Sanyuka

In the same way, we have had another department called "Sanyuka - Women at Risk" which has been reaching out to women in prostitution. Again, this ministry is leaving YWAM to become independant.

We wish both teams the best for the future and we are sure that their work will be a blessing to many.

Finally, the ToRCH Base Leadership Team is about to be formed. Thank you for standing with us in prayer during this process. We believe once the team is together, this will help to plan and implement programmes effectively. The formation of this team comes at a time when ToRCH is re-strategising and seeking the LORD about the new direction.

Three new programmes were incorporated in ToRCH, Kings Kids Ministry, Working with Bereaved/Traumatised Children (Ang Tulay) and Foster Family Network. However, there is a sense that, the LORD wants us to do more in Kangulumira Sub-County; as a result, we are also working with the local Churches there. Two of our members, Sam Kibwika, and Dorothy Kironde are heading the programme after undergoing training by Tear Fund.

Youth With A Mission Uganda Leaders participated in a workshop in Soroti, a Leadership Initiative. The workshop was about Team building, discovering one’s Ministry Identity. This brought leaders from all YWAM Uganda, enabling them to work and plan together; coming up with plans/strategies on how to facilitate the rest of the YWAM staff grow and discover in order to fulfil the great commission. Right now, several leaders are engaging their staff, passing on the teachings they received from the workshop.

Please pray for this process, and also pray for the Leaders of YWAM Uganda as they work with the rest of the staff.

Previously, ToRCH’s main focus was HIV, children with Disabilities, helping women recover from prostitution, Child Education Sponsorship and provision of affordable health care services to the communities in Kangulumira. Later we felt the LORD encourage us to work with the local churches and children. Some of these children lost their parents due to HIV, War and other causes. This gave birth to a partnership between YWAM and Precious Jewels Ministry based in Philippines, which works with traumatised children. Ang Tulay, meaning Bridge, was also formed. The team comprises of members from other YWAM Uganda bases, who are still undergoing training in working with bereaved children.

Kings Kids International (Uganda) was previously under Hopeland, then National Office, before finding a new home. Another ministry that has been under National office was the Foster Family Network. It also has strong ties with Orphans Know More ministry based in the United Kingdom.

Presently, ToRCH has received all the ministries that were under National Office. These include: Kings Kids International (Uganda), Foster Family Network, and Ang Tulay. Ang Tulay was floating, but now it is going to be under ToRCH too.

Additionally, ToRCH is in a process of building a new Base Leadership Team. The team, which will be chaired by the Base Leader, Sandra Merriman, is going to be in charge of setting up new structures in ToRCH.

Therefore, pray that the process will go well, and GOD will give us the right people to be on the BLT

From the 29 to the 31 March,YWAM Uganda Held its annual conference which also coincided with a hand over of Leadership from Mr. Kisolo, Sam, to a Team of Three Eldership – Sandra Merriman, Sam Abuku and Leo Kiwanuka.

 This is the first time YWAM Uganda has had smooth leadership transition, marked by moments of Joy,celebration and honouring of Sam and Irene Kisolo. Please Pray for Team Three. Is the first time we are trying out this kind of leadership strategy

The year begun well, and for YWAM ToRCH, it was business as usual. Firstly we had visitors from Streams of Mercy Inc. The organisation supports the clinic and other YWAM Uganda ministries. The funding has enabled the clinic to function, and be a blessing to the communities in Kangulumira. The purposeof the clinic is to provide affordable care to the community.

On another note, the government donated a new microscope worth approximately US$ 1500 to the clinic, after the old one was vandalised of vital components. This was such an encouragement and interpreted as a vote of confidence from the government.

This year our aim is to strengthen thespecial clinics, which include: TB/CAP, Epilepsy and HIV/AIDS in order tolessen stigma, as well as offer optimum management.

Over all, we invite you to pray with us. We are going through a time of reorganisation as YWAM ToRCH, please pray that the process is smooth. Thank you.

As you can see, the MCH Building is almost complete, and by the end of March 2011. The work on the building stalled because of the General Elections in the country, and as soon as the exercise is over, the work on the building will resume. We are now left with theCeiling, and painting. For those of you that pray for us, thank you so much.

Teams, Visitors and Volunteers

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”. (Heb 13:2 ESV)

Firstly, we would like to thank the LORD for bringing people from other parts of the world and Locally to visit and work with us. We have had volunteers from Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America, Singapore, and some YWAM Missionaries working in other parts of Africa.

The volunteers have been involved with ministries like, Sanyuka women At risk- a ministry to the commercial sex workers, Spring of Hope- ministry working with children suffering from disabilities, and the clinic. Most of them came with skills that are needed in boosting our work with the communities.

Provision

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble”. (Mat 6:31-34 ESV)

Sincerely, the LORD was so faithful to us this year. We have seen HIS hand of provision in many things. Firstly, HE provided for the services of the projects, like the Clinic, spring of Hope, Sanyuka women At risk. HE also provided for the office in ways we were not expecting, which enabled us to pay rent, Utilities stationary, and food. We are closing the year, without any of our paid staff demanding arrears in wages. Additionally we are also closing the year, when the clinic is well stocked with drugs.

Secondly, we were able to give gifts to our HIV/AIDS clients, although Hope Center has not been operating because of funding. YWAM ToRCH has special attachment to our clients and we believe the LORD gave them to us as a gift. A survey was done across the district, and Kangulumira sub county had the highest awareness about HIV, compared to other sub counties. Praise the LORD!

Thirdly, we are soon completing the MCH building, after years of planning and waiting upon the LORD for funding. St. Paul’s Salisbury in UK is funding the project, which is nearly completed.

Our YWAM staff do not receive a salary, but provided for by their local churches, loved ones, friends, and other use their savings to serve the LORD as missionaries. The African Staff however, find it difficult to raise support, and some have children they are caring for, especially those orphaned by HIV/AIDS. We thank the LORD for providing for all our missionaries, and enabling them meet the basic needs of these children.

Training

Some of our staff successfully participated in another programme by Precious Jewels from Philippines. They are being trained in order to minister to children traumatised by either War or HIV/AIDS.

With these and many other testimonies, we thank the LORD for making 2010 a productive year. We also thank you for partnering with us in prayer and giving to our ministries as well as staff.

Therefore we ask the LORD to bless you. We also wish you a Blessed Festive Season!!!

Many blessings,

YWAM ToRCH

The MCH building is progressing well. We have now installed the doors and windows, and have started plastering. early next year we hope to complete the construction.

This month, Irene Kisolo will be attending the All Women Evangelical Jubilation Camp Fellowship Outreach, which will take place in Nigeria.The conference is about sharing experience about women ministries, and networking in Africa. Keep her in your prayers.

We are glad to inform you that we have roofed the MCH building, and now we are working on the shutters.The plastering will follow. This will be relief to the children and mothers, once the building is completed. We are so grateful to the St. Paul's Church Salsibury  for the donation.

We have taken long without giving you an update of what s going on around ToRCH. Firstly, we have been very busy preparing for the financial audit of the whole organisation. Secondly, working on various projects, that have to keep running every day.

We are happy to announce that the MCH building has reached roofing stage, as you can see in the pictures. We have placed an order for Pre-painted Galvanised Iron sheets from Kampala, and by next week, we will have a roof.

Thank you to those of you that are praying for this project. Continue to pray that we complete it well.

The audit started on the 25 of October, and will end on the 5 of November. We are being audited as an entire organisation – Youth With A Mission Uganda. Please keep us in your prayers as we carry out this exercise. 

Initially the clinic just offered a basic outpatient service only. The focus was ontreating everyday diseases which affect and hamper the lives of everyone but particularly those infected with HIV. Later we also aimed to improve our services in order to prevent and treat diseases of women and children as they are also vulnerable groups.

Therefore,we began Material child Health integrated outreaches in the villages and at theclinic. At the moment we run seven outreaches in the villages, and one at theclinic.

As the service expanded, we realised the clinic building was not enough, to accommodate both the outpatient services as well as MCH. We first received funding to do the foundation, and later we a church in UK fundraised for the completion of the building and now the construction has resumed.

Right now,construction for the MCH Block is underway. This will allow –

-         Children to have their own child-friendly waiting area with good ventilation

-         Waiting times to be reduced for all, including patients in the main clinic building. Reduced opportunity for disease transmission

-         A separate fridge-room is part of the design so vaccines can be stored in their own secure area which is not possible at present

-         Increased space in the waiting room will allow staff to do more health education with the mothers

-         Separate consulting rooms are to be constructed so that children can be seen and immunised while mothers can also attend for ante-natalcare and family planning

These benefits will be immediate for the 130 children who attend for out-patient treatmen teach month and their mothers. We also expect up-take in clinic based ante-natalcare and family planning services to increase as the mothers appreciate the new facilities.

We thank the LORDfor the donation, and especially to the church in UK that stood with us to raise this money.

I had originally come to Uganda with a heart to work with ToRCH in the clinic in the village of Kangulmira,which is 30-45 minutes away from where I stay in Jinja. Due to financial difficulties, the clinic has been low on their medications and vaccinations hence clinic days have been relatively slow. However, we still do antenatal outreaches and focus on maternal-child health every Tuesday and Wednesday innearby villages.

During our antenatal outreaches, we see newborn infants to children who are five years of age and focus on giving them vaccinations such as measles, polio, and BCG (most of you know it as TB shots).We would also answer any questions the mother might have about her child.During our maternal-child health focuses, we exam women who are currently pregnant and make sure that she and her baby is healthy. Because these women live in remote villages and have other children that they must take care of, weprovide a relatively more convenient “clinic” for a pregnancy check-up. During these check-ups, which is usually set up in someone’s home, we provide them with folic acid pills and even check how the child is growing by feeling forthe fetus in the mother’s tummy and listening to the fetal heartbeat (given that the fetus is old enough).

We also provide HIV testing for the mother and the father (whenever possible because usually most women come without their husbands) and even counseling for family planning. I usually assist Fishy, the MCH coordinator and the nurse in charge, by measuring blood pressure and locating the fetus and measuring how big it has grown. I was even able to hear the heartbeat of the fetus without any spectacular technology! Also, I witnessed my first labor and delivery. For someone aspiring to become a doctor, that’s pretty exciting! By Janny

Children with a disability in Africa not only face many difficulties buta lot of stigma as well. Spring of Hope works with these children and their families to help them understand the disability (or disabilities) and to helpthe child achieve his or her full potential while changing the negative attitude of the surrounding community to a more positive one. Spring of Hope works with children who have disabilities ranging from deafness, blindness,epilepsy, learning disabilities, mental disabilities, and the list goes on.

 My experience with Spring of Hope has been extremely heart-wrenching. Knowing ahead of time that I would be working with children with disabilities, I thought I had prepared myself mentally and emotionally. However, little did I know just how desperate the need really wasto reach out to these children and their families! I have witnessed children who were malnourished and neglected by their families because of their disabilities while their siblings were well-fed and well-dressed. I witnessedthe death of a malnourished child because all the major hospitals rejected her admittance once they learned she had cerebral palsy.

During some of the home visits to the children and their families, I have saw the neighbors taunting and threatening a child with a mental disability to the point where his mother was so discouraged that she even thought of ending the child’s life as well as her own.

Spring of Hope brings support and encouragement for these children with disabilities and their families;especially to the mothers because when a child is born with a disability, it is thought to be the mother’s fault. As a ministry, we focus on educating the parents who neglected their children with disabilities and try to help the neighbors understand that a disability is not necessary an inability.

By Janny

The LORD has continued to be faithful to the YWAM ToRCH, by an touching individual to contribute towards what we are doing, and also supporting some of our staff. Of recent, we received a one-off donation from a friend of YWAM, and also another donation to complete the Maternal Child Health Building. We thank you for faithfully praying with us regarding various needs.

We are still facing challenges with Spring of Hope regarding staffing. We are praying for YWAM staff, either Nurses, Speech Therapists, Physiotherapist, OTs, Health Educators etc to work with us, or graduates from YWAM health schools.

Recently two of the children passed away, and they died as a result of poor care from their families, which led to deterioration of their disability and malnutrition.

The stigma towards disabled children is still very high, therefore, we ask that you pray with us for wisdom, so that we will know the direction the LORD is leading us into.

Women At Risk, ministry to commercial sex workers, recently had a name change. We are now calling it Sanyuka - Women At Risk. Sanyuka means Rejoice. We believe this will have a positive impact to the ladies that are recovering from prostitution.

Additionally, we managed to find funding from a private individual, which has enabled the first group of ladies to attend Tailoring training. Bujagali Trust is also planning to support some from the first group to learn Hair dressing. We are grateful to the LORD for that breakthrough.

Eunice one of the volunteers working with Mary Zema the ministry leader, completed her YWAM Discipleship Training School, and is back with Sanyuka - Women At Risk. Likewise, one of the first beneficiaries of the Women At Risk rehabilitation programme, after giving her life to the LORD, also completed her YWAM Discipleship Programme, and now she has gone for skills training.

We thank the LORD for the breakthrough HE gave us, both in terms of funding, but also for the positive change we see in the lives of the women.

This season, we have been blessed with short term volunteers from WE International, United States of America. The two, Diana and Kate, worked with Sanyuka - Women At Risk, they used Art Therapy to help the women who are recovering from prostitution express themselves.

At the moment we are hosting another volunteer that will be with us for two months. Janny is working with the clinic, but also with other ministries like Spring of Hope, Maternal Child Health, and also we hope she will help us in the office.

The LORD is still blessing us with more volunteers that will be arriving later this year.

If you would like to be part of what the LORD is doing in Uganda, click here to contact us.