All posts by David Fausnaugh

December Newsletter 2022

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Dear our beloved sponsors, donors, and friends.
We welcome you all to the end of the year 2022; we thank the almighty God who has brought us this far and for the continuous provisions. Through your generosity a lot has happened - our children received a steady food supply, received better education, and their health has improved dramatically. Your generosity has furthered our mission.

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the donors who made our children an end of year’s party and celebrations. The children were so happy and excited as they received new clothes, shoes, cut cake and also prepared them a delicious and most liked meal (rice, meat and stew). The celebrations were full of fun and happiness.

PROGRAM UPDATES:

CENTRE DAYS

On centre days are fun to us and the children. We meet with our children to share with them different ideas and discuss issues they face at homes and school. It’s always a precious moment for children playing with their fellows as brothers and sisters. It’s during these centre days that different activities are done like singing, dancing, storytelling, and hair cutting. It’s also during these centre days when we give them donations like shoes and clothes.

We also gather together with the children for personal interactions. Although each is from a different background, we strive to create a spirit of togetherness and brotherhood amongst the children. We play different games; have counselling learn how to pray and shared stores among the child as seen below.

EDUCATION

Our children completed their third term which marked the end of academic year 2022. Most all had excellent performance and they got promoted to other classes. We believe that with help of their class teachers and social worker’s school visits, they will continue to keep the better grades.

With much pleasure, we thank you for making sure that our children are kept at school. Education is one of the best ways of fighting ignorance which is rampant in our community. With the Covid-19 effect lots of children were disrupted in accessing education. But we are pleased to let you know that all the Miryante community Centre kids went back to school and most were promoted to the next levels.

HEALTH

Our children are doing well health wise, although a few are currently under medical attention. We are so happy to know that their health had improved. Children pick and swallow medicine on time and this is as evident with their physically appearance as they all have healthy bodies and rarely fall sick. We thank God for the children's health as we carry out timely checkups and administer medication where need be.

HOME VISITS

Home visits help to establish strong, positive communication between our social workers and our sponsored children’s care takers. Home visits help us with a glimpse into the lives of children we support; they offer a perspective on each individual family’s struggle, their well being, hygiene, their needs and what may require special attention.

MONTHLY FOOD SUPPORT AND DONATIONS

With the sponsors’ support, our children receive monthly food support of maize flour and manna pack rice that has continued to boost their immune since the majority of our children on medication that calls for diet. Children together with their care takers are thankful and appreciative rendered to their families.

Our children received each a pair of clothes, shoes, two special meals and some animals as Christmas and New Year gifts from their sponsors and well-wishers. We truly appreciate your commitment.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s during this time of the year when people share love, with your support; we managed to organize a party for our children. All the children were very excited and full of enthusiasm for the celebration. Most of them it was the first of its kind to celebrate on new clothes and shoes. The celebrations started as early as 9:00am since we had a number of activities for the day including a dance party. Together we sang Feliz Navidad song melodiously and it sounded as angels truly descended on earth.

We also ordered for cakes for the day, lunch was serviced in time which included; meat, rice, Matooke, Irish potatoes, chicken, rice, g.nuts, matoke, sodas and vegetables. The program concluded with the final dance which was fun and lively, on the whole, the party was super and fabulous and had the children asking for more.

We thank you all for always standing with us and for making this happen, for the generous support, encouragements and for loving the children of Miryante Community Centre. We wish you all a blessed 2023 as we are more expectant. Thank you once again.

November Newsletter 2022

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Dear our beloved sponsors, Donors and friends.
Miryante Community Centre children greet you all. We thank the almighty God who has enabled us to reach this far. The children are all healthy and happy, thank you for the generous and never ending support you always render to them. Our beloved children have received their school holidays for the last term and am glad to let you know that all of them have been promoted to their next classes respectively. Thank you for always paying their dues on time and creating a better foundation for them, May the good Lord continue blessing you. Some of the activities we carried out this month are as below.

MCC PROGRAM UPDATES

CENTRE DAYS
Our centre days are conducted every Saturday. We always make sure all the children attend and share issues they face at homes and school. It’s really an interesting moment when children of different backgrounds come together and meet as brothers and sisters. It’s during these centre days that different activities are done like singing, dancing, shading, shaving off their hair among others.

HOME VISITS
As result of Ebola outbreak in Mubende district, this month we had more of home visits than center days because of lock down that was put by the government to help reduce on the spread of Ebola. Our social workers visit homes of children and its during these visits that our social get to know the children’s sanitation at home and children’s standards of living have greatly improved.

EDUCATION
Our children finished term three which marked the end of year 2022, they have done end of year exams and promoted to other classes. Our social workers have always made regular visits to schools to check on our children’s progress and this has helped them maintain good grades.

All schools where instructed by the ministry of education to close by 25th November because of Ebola virus that had started spreading in schools. The government came up with this decision in order to control the spread of Ebola virus since it was spreading very fast in schools. Since the holiday is very long, we are organizing a holiday program for engaging our children in different holiday activities.

Some of our students who sat for PLE:

HEALTH
We are glad to say that most of our children are in a good health condition. The social workers play their roles to make sure that the children are given good care in terms of treatment most especially those who take ARVS drugs and other diseases like ring worms, jiggers etc. We have not yet received any case of Ebola in any of Despite of Ebola situation that has affected the entire district of which our biggest area of operation, this hasn’t stop us from running our weekend program.

SPORTS AND GAMES
We engage our children in different game activities like football, running, bouncing balls, storytelling, skipping ropes etc. and through these activities most of our children have developed different talents. This has also enabled them to bond as brothers and sisters. We also distribute clothes and other gifts at least once a month. Below are photos showing the children wearing new clothes that were donated to them and shoes.

SITE CLEARING
Site clearance is a fundamental part of construction which involves activities like waste clearance. There has been a lot of work done at the construction site throughout the month of November. Activities include; leveling of land by digging down the ant hills and removing tree logs to make a way for the building process. Ii can now say our site is clear and ready for the building process. Thank you so much our sponsors for the support you give us.

FARMING AND GARDENING
Under agriculture, we planted a variety of vegetables like sukuma, green paper, egg plant tomatoes and other crops like maize and beans.

MONTHLY FOOD SUPPORT.
We give out food support to our children every month and our children have been provided with food and we ensure they don’t starve or go to school on empty stomachs. Our social workers make monthly visits to children within their communities and provide food. This has brought a smile to the children’s faces and they are looking healthy. We really appreciate your support towards them.

 

MCC BUYENDE PROJECT UPDATES

BUYENDE PROJECT
This month we have access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and preferences for an active and healthy life. On our Centre day, we issued a bag of flour to each child. The children were over joyed as they received food. Their foster families are always grateful too.

SPORTS AND GAMES
With the help of our social workers, our children always have a lovely and good time meeting together and play various games. These games include football, ball dodging, rope skipping and many others. Playing together encourages cooperation and sharing, resilience and building relationships among themselves, team work and self-discipline, etc.. The children also learn to control and channel negative feelings and emotions in positive way. Thank you for donating the game materials to them and making them happy kids.

SHADING AND ART WORK


GOAT REARING PROJECT
We are glad to inform you that the goats are doing well, with the help of our social workers, inspections and follow-ups are always made to monitor on the health and give advice where need be. Goats are wonderful animals and easier to look after because they mature very fast, thrive on leaves, shrub and kitchen wastes. They can also be raised on a small piece of land which is a favorable condition for the foster families. We are hoping for more as we look forward to achieving supplementary income through milk which provides enough nutrients to our children. Goat’s waste also creates supplementary income to help the livelihood of the families.

Miryante Community Centre East children are so thankful and always keep you in their prayers.

September Newsletter 2022

DIRECTOR`S MESSAGE

Hello our dear friends, sponsors and donors.
We welcome you all from the month of September, it hasn’t been that easy but we thank God who has kept all of us safe and that none has gone on an empty stomach. We are glad to let you know that all the kids are in school. Thank you for always supporting us and making all this happen.
On a sad note; Uganda has been hit with a dangerous virus called Ebola. It started from Mubende and Kyegegwa districts which are part of the areas we are operating in. The government together with the essential workers is putting all measures in place for the virus not to spread to other districts. The virus has claimed lives of Ugandan,s but we are praying to God that it also passes.

PROGRAM UPDATES

CENTRE DAYS
Our Centre days are conducted weekly and it’s a special moment for our children to enjoy staying together. Different activities are done by children that help them boost up their self-esteem and building confidence. Children learnt how to lead prayers before having meals, sing different songs together and also learn to be sympathetic to others through sharing things like food. Cleanliness and being smart is emphasized in our children. Below are the photos:

EDUCATION
Our children both primary and secondary went back to school for their term three with fully paid school fees, scholastic requirements like books, pens, mathematical sets, soap, sugar and pads for girls above 12years.They were encouraged to concentrate on their books and regular attending of classes for better results to fulfill their future careers. However, the Western part of Uganda got an outbreak of Ebola disease with few reported cases and our children in the boarding section are not allowed to leave school as a way of keeping them safe. Our children receive quality education at all levels they reach and this all happens because of the effort and support contributed to them by our dear donors which has extremely created joy and peace of mind for them.

SCHOOL VISITS
This is more of follow up done by the social workers to visit various schools where our children study from. A group of social workers interacted with the class teachers about their performance, attendance, discipline and class participation as well. According to the reports gathered, most of our children are well behaved, social and some are prefects in their respective schools.

HEALTH
Our main concern is the health status of our children, without good health we cannot do anything. Social workers always make visits to the homes of our children mainly to check how children are doing, hygiene and we found that some children were still having jiggers and they were provided with treatment. Parents and care takers of these children were encouraged to improve good hygiene of these children and their houses for example, bathing daily, wear clean clothes and the ones on medication to always take their medicine well. We also have regular visit of health centers where our children get medication from to see how they are copying up.

CONSTRUCTION OF SITE
We are happy to let you know that swings were purchased and are yet to be installed by end of October. This is going to help our children bond together and becoming social. It’s also going to help them enhance their activeness when playing together and liking playing more various games. We sincerely thank our sponsors for this wonderful contribution.

DONATIONS
Our children received donations of clothes from Daniel Abraham and his family. They were generally happy on receiving the many clothes and were greatly thankful. We also thank Rotary Club of Lancaster for the great donation of a heifer with a given name of Shepardson. We do believe children will enjoy milk after it gives birth. We humbly appreciate the great work towards our children.

SPORTS AND GAMES
Sports and games are very important to the health of our children as we all know that. Having fun in life with one another helps our children to develop/grow faster, reduces stress, helps in development of languages, develop their finer and large muscles, body balance, development of senses as children use eyes, ears, nose, tongue, fingers and feet. It also helps to build their emotional development like they learn to accept defeat, to be kind and helpful, it also enables them learn to think as they solve problems while playing, creativity is developed as children make materials using different objects etc. Social workers take much of their time giving them various games to play like football, netball, playing cards, hide and seek. This helps them to build their talents and make new friends.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Community outreaches were conducted as a way forward of empowering women that need finacial support. Different families were visited facing economic challenges and some that are in vulnerability state. Its during the visits that we identified one of the beneficiary that had a child with autism problem who could not walk and talk, finds difficulties in holding items and can only crawl. The 7 year old boy known Mukonyezi Talemwa is currently seeking for assistance. However, basic necessities were provided to some families and psychosocial support was also provide.

FARMING AND GARDENING
Currently we are in a wet season and receiving plenty of rain. Crops are growing properly and fertilizers are applied continuously. Children participate in the garden work and enjoy plucking the grown up vegetables. They also enjoy taking care of the cows around the garden.

MONTHLY FOOD SUPPORT
Due to continuous support from our beloved sponsors, our children were able to receive food for the month. Food given to them has greatly improved their standards of living in terms of health most especially children who do take ARVS drugs and contributed to their growth and boosted their immune system because of the additional supplements to their meals. Social workers visited children within communities and delivered them food. Our humble appreciation goes to our donors for good work done to our fellow brothers and sisters.

BACK TO SCHOOL.
The month of October marked the end of second term holidays. Our children started their third term which is the last term of the year and will be promoted to next levels respectively. Scholastic materials were distributed evenly to each as to enable them kick off immediately with school. We are happy to let you know that all of them are in school and we appreciate your never ending efforts to make all this happen.

VISITING FOSTER HOMES.
Despite the poor weather, we managed to move around some of the foster homes to check on our children. We always monitor their wellbeing, health, check if they are at school and also just talk to parents some of the challenges they may be facing in their daily life and how best they can be mitigated.

ARTS AND CREATIVITY.
Involving children in recreative activities rejuvenate their minds and helps them to develop and build their imaginations by introducing new ideas into their world. Ideas about fantastical objects that can be made with just playing around with a piece of paper, It encourages children to realize that they can and should imagine anything and put it into existence. Below are some of the photos showing art shadings, boats, hand fans, flowers, shirts and many others. This made them feel happy and special.

FOOD ISSUES.
As our monthly routine, food is issued to our children to help them not to go on empty stomachs as most of them are on medication; it has kept them healthy and happy. Thank you for making this happen.

CONCLUSION
Miryante community Centre children are so grateful and thankful for the unwavering support rendered to them. This has kept us moving forward. Thank you.

August Newsletter 2022

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Dear Sponsors, Donors and Friends,

From Miryante, we greet you as beloved friends. We are pleased to report that all Miryante Community Centre children are fine and healthy, and we appreciate your generous and kind support. Thank you for always putting a smile on their faces. The month of August marked the beginning of second term holiday, and our children were having a break as they waited for the beginning of the third term.

Our Centre Days are such precious moments for the children who are able to meet together. During Center days this August, different activities were enjoyed by enrollees in the Mubende area. For example, all children participated in shading and trimming off hair, slashing the grasses, cleaning the compound, reading story books etc. As part of mentoring and teaching, children were instructed on how to have proper hygiene. This is done to ensure that they grow up considering cleanliness as one of the major priorities in life. They were also encouraged to have discipline and respect their elders/guardians.

We are so proud of our young people, and enjoy watching them grow into responsible young adults.

May God bless you.

PROGRAM UPDATES

Education

Our children finished their second school term of the year and sat for their exams. Most had excellent performance, and we believe that with an emphasis on education and school visits with social workers continue to keep students motivated to achieve better grades. Holidays started on 29th July 2022 and will end on 5th September 2022. The children are enjoying their relaxing time and engaging in different holiday activities. They also received scholastic materials for next term. We really thank you our donors for the additional effort and support you contribute towards the children’s education.

Donations

Our children received gifts to support them in school. The children were excited and thankful to their donors’ unending love. They received boxes of pens, playing toys, clothes and mats etc. Huge thanks goes to Mihir Sanghrajka and Nitro Chemicals for their donation of pens to our kids. We also thank Jamil and Fatema for donating toys to our children. We also received donation of sanitary towels, which are critical for our adolescent girls.

Donor's Visit

A source of power is extremely important for the functioning of the Miryante Community Centre program. This month we want to thank Aptech Africa for giving us a solar pump irrigation machine as one way to overcome drought in the area. A loss of rain has deeply affected the production of food within the Miryante area. This solar pump system has enabled us to continuously grow vegetables such us cabbage, sukuma, tomatoes and onions, and our women were very happy and thankful to our donors. Women were taught how to operate the machine and skills as well.

Food Distribution

In August, our social workers delivered food as usual to our children. Each child received a bag of posho, which is critical for foster home health as most families face a challenge of food insecurity. Children and caretakers were thankful and appreciative for the support given to them. We advised the caretakers of these children to prepare meals in time to serve children food with their medication so that they swallow their drugs well. In the Miryante East program, each child happily received a bag of maize flour; this has enabled them to always have three meals a day. Thank you for efforts you put in to make sure that none of them suffer from an empty stomach. Manna pack rice was also issued. This rice contains most of the nutrients needed to boost our children’s immunity since most of them are HIV-positive. The children enjoy the rice so much and change is visible in their lives.

Click here for emailed Newsletter August 2022

July Newsletter 2022

Director's Message

Dear beloved sponsors, donors and friends,

We greet you all. We thank the almighty God who has enabled us to reach this far. The children are all healthy and happy, thank you for the generous and never-ending support you always render to us. May the good Lord continue blessing you.

We must report that due to a prolonged drought in the country which resulted into famine in different areas, Miryante Community Centre decided to get a solar irrigation pump to help in farming activities like the growing of vegetables and other crops. Through doing this, Miryante Community Centre managed to became a leading supplier of vegetables in the community. Our children started eating a balanced diet almost daily because we were producing vegetables in plenty, and this improved their lives. What a wonderful investment in our area.

Construction of the MCC site is still ongoing. Currently a security fence is being constructed, helping both with staff and child safety. We also met with village leaders to discuss the issue of trespassing, and all concerns were successfully resolved. This is great progress for our efforts and community.

 

Program Updates

Education: Our children are always visited in both primary and secondary schools. Supplies they need at school were also delivered as the social workers check on their performance in class. According to reports collected and explanations from class teachers, most of our children performed well in their mid-term exams and are promising better results in their final exams. The teachers also tell us the children are well-behaved and well dressed.

Sports: One of the most important aspect of growing up is to have fun. Staff and social workers organizes a variety of different activities like foot ball, playing cards, basketball, and running. These activities have helped our children to become fit and healthy.

Culture: Our secondary students participated in entertainment activities at their school. Music, Dance and Drama Day was organized at their school to create entertainment competitions amongst four houses. The best house won a prize, and its members had a party as a prize. This event showcased folk songs, cultural dances, fashion competitions, skits, and miming.

Birthday Celebration: Birthday celebrations are not always possible, so a birthday party is extra special and makes the children feel good, special, and loved. According to Vincent Aijuka, who received a special sponsored birthday party, the celebration was an important moment in his life and he was happy joining together with his other fellow children as they enjoyed that day of his birthday. It was a surprise party from his sponsor Gwen Wolford, and it was amazing. Cakes and drinks were ordered that day and photos can show how the party went. This was such a generous treat for this young man and his friends!

Farming and Agriculture: Involving our children in hands-on activities allows them to explore and learn new concepts through experience. This will help them mature from hardworking children into adults who are dependent on their skills. It is Miryante’s hope that we are developing future entrepreneurs and useful self-employed people in the community.
Rearing goats is one of the most vital activities provided to our children by the organization. Providing a child with a goat teaches them and expands their opportunities. It also assists with wealth creation since goats occupy a small space and need a small grazing area but also can provide a source of milk and meat. Often these creatures help to provide children and their foster families with supplementary income. Below are some of our children with their own animals, provided through Miryante Community Centre.

 

Farming is one of the activities promoted to our sponsored children as a way to promote sound household diet. This is done with social workers and other instructors who teach the children how to make nursery beds, plant seeds, raise seedlings, water and transplant crops. Most of children are willing to learn and acquire knowledge and skills for health. This has also helped us to provide a balanced diet. The initiative is intended to build resilience as well as provide essential vitamins and minerals to vulnerable households. Our children rarely fall sick because they eat vegetables almost daily, and we are happy to report that their health has greatly improved. Besides that, solar pump irrigation machine is also being installed in place to simplify farming activities as one way of overcoming drought. We are proud of these advances and the skills we teach.

 

See the full newsletter here: Miryante Newsletter July 2022

June Newsletter 2022

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Dear Beloved Donors, Sponsors, and friends:
Welcome to our June Newsletter. We are in the middle of the year and we thank God who has brought us this far. All our children are healthy and with great gratitude we thank all our donors who have enabled all activities to be of success. Lots of activities have taken place as shown below:

PROGRAM UPDATES

CENTRE DAYS
As usual, we always carry out center days where the social workers meet all the children together. Children share what they face in their daily lives and are advised accordingly. Different activities are always carried out i.e. coloring pictures, writing letters to sponsors, distributing clothes etc. The children are also encouraged to maintain proper hygiene. They also help to cut the grass in the compound as a way of beautifying the compound and preventing a bushy area. They always receive breakfast and meals on time. We are therefore happy to let you know that the children are fine and doing well.

DONOR’S VISIT
Some donors from USA visited our office in their free time and delivered items like clothes, story books, play materials among others and they visit the site as well. This visit is mainly done to monitor the children they sponsor and to see how they are doing in school, with their health, and with their foster families. According to records and pictures from by social workers there is a great improvement in the children in terms of their health and emotional well-being. Below are the photos of one of our dear sponsors Mr. Michael Wilbanks and his son Patrick visiting our children.

EDUCATION
Our children completed their beginning of term exams for the second term. Most of them performed well and their results are promising. School fees/tuition was fully paid for each child. We are greatly thankful to our dear donors for the support you contribute towards the children. You create a safe and happy environment for them.

SOLAR INSTALLATION
As Miryante Community Center we have a structure which is acting as a store and also as the security guard’s accommodation. We have managed to install a solar panel which was donated by one of the Rotarians in the Ohio last year in December. The site looks more organized even in the night. This has also been one way of keeping the site secure. A qualified electrician was employed to do installing in the house and he did it well and the photo below can show more evident.

SPORTS AND GAMES
Children always play different games whenever they meet together. They play games like soccer, puzzles, cards etc. They feel good whenever they are playing, and this also helps them bond and create friendships.

HEALTH
Most of the children are doing well health wise. We had a few children with jiggers, but these cases were treated. Children with chronic illnesses go for hospital checkups and are supervised while taking their medication. Otherwise all is going on well in the children’s lives.

STORY TELLING
Children were reading stories using storybooks. They always enjoy this activity because they always want to know what will happen next. They brainstorm based on what they have heard and this helps them to learn. Such moments create happiness for them and it also teaches them to be attentive during class times while they are at school.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Some women were provided with items like food and books for the children. Other women received counseling on how to live in stable homes free of violence. The women are also counseled on caring for their children.

FARMING AND GARDENING
Currently it’s the dry season and crops are being harvested. Children harvested beans at the center, although the yields were not high because it has been a very short season. The vegetables are still growing and are always irrigated. The water source is also good and water is always pumped to the tank.

MONTHLY FOOD SUPPORT
Children were given bags of maize flour. Food is always delivered to the children in foster care on a monthly basis. They are always happy and thankful whenever they receive the food. Thank you for the support you provide because it allows us to continue these food donations.

ST. GYAVIRA PROJECT

FOOD ISSUING
We are over joyed and humbled for the continuous support you render to us. The food donations have enabled our children to stay healthy, especially since all of these children have chronic medical conditions. May God always bless you for feeding them.

ISSUING OF GOATS
We are so grateful to our donors for the efforts put in and we appreciate them for the endless gratitude towards our lovely children. Two of our children received goats this month and both foster families was very happy. These goats will help them with supplementary income and are easy to graze since they don’t need a lot of space. Below are photos:

SPORTS AND GAMES
Building new confidence and skills in our children not only helps in healthy development, but also helps to enhance their emotional strength. Since they come from different backgrounds letting children together encourages brotherhood, learning from one another and also networking which helps in development and building confidence within them.

AGRICULTURE
Agriculture plays a major and significant role in our economy. Training and teaching children garden work helps to nuture and empower them as future entrepreneurs since they gain skills as they grow. When food is available and in steady supply, it creates confidence and fights poverty in our community.

 

Teaching children how to develop a personal relationship with God helps them to grow spiritually and also to understand the will of God in their lives, forgiveness, and that no one makes perfect choices in life.

April Newsletter 2022

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Hello all! This is to appreciate you all for your continuous support for Miryante Community Centre. Again, I thank you all for your contributions and commitment towards supporting our program. We are glad to inform you that we were given a van in-kind from Maryland, USA. This will help incredibly to improve the transportation of our kids with diverse mobility issues and our vulnerable women.

              

PROGRAM UPDATES

CENTRE DAYS
We are happy to let you know that our children are grateful and humbled for the love, care and support shown to them. The social workers always organise special days to meet them and they get a chance to develop a counselling relationship. Children are happy to learn new activities taught by the social workers i.e. they color pictures, were taught how to write letters to their sponsors and also learned how to pray. Breakfast and lunch are served to all of our kids when they visit the community centre. They also read story books, looked at photo albums with magazines, shared candy, and engaged in singing and dancing. They always feel excited whenever they meet with friends in the community.

EDUCATION
Our children are visited in schools where they were given uniforms and all school fees were paid. They also did their end of term exams whereby most performed well and their reports were filed and kept by the social workers. They went on school break and currently are being encouraged to study for next term and complete their homework packages. The social workers gave out scholastic materials for next term. We greatly appreciate our dear donors for the support you give us and please know that they are motivated to achieve their career dreams.

GAMES AND SPORTS
Our children participate in different games and sports activities during centre days. They play games like football, round games, tag and war, cards, board games e.g. draft and jingle. They really find joy in playing together.

EASTER CELEBRATIONS
Since our children are under foster care, they were given gifts like clothes, knotted hand bags, shoes etc.. They were extremely happy and thankful to receive them. They went to church for prayers from their respective homes to rejoice the day of the risen King Jesus Christ. A party was organized for them. They danced, played and had a large meal thanks to the donation from Ghirmay Abraham. We were also able to hire a music system for dancing. It was a nice moment for them to interact and be together. We greatly appreciate the donations given to our dear children that made their day colorful.

HEALTH
Children are doing well health wise, they are always visited in homes to check on how they are doing as well as ensuring the sanitation and hygiene is proper where they stay. Our social workers follow up on health issues and children who are required to take chronic medication are encouraged to take their tablets regularly and also to take enough fluids and nutritious food. Pre-visits are made in hospitals for the children given appointments.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
April was a month where we had one of our children celebrate her birthday. This was Cleophas’ birthday where she was surprised by her dear sponsor. Her friends joined her to celebrate with her on her special day and it was a colourful and joyous moment.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Women were mobilized in different communities to attend meetings that will collectively benefit their children in the future. Women got a chance of being trained by a representative from family and child protection unit office who taught them how to nurture their children in a proper way, support the talents, education, and professional careers of their children, and how to resolve family conflicts in order to be the best guardians/mothers for their children.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE SITE
The construction for the Miryante Community Centre site is going on smoothly despite increased prices of materials, especially cement. However, the pit latrine is complete which was the only remaining project to be finished for our Rotary Club grant. The doors and windows were installed, the bathrooms were levelled and cemented. Supervision by the administrator is always done and all activities are going on well.

FARMING AND GARDENING
Currently we are in a rainy season which will approximately take three months. Our children planted their gardens where they first planted nursery beds and after two weeks they transplanted them to the main garden. Some of the crops that were planted were spinach, eggplants, vegetables and beans. The social workers taught them how to water the crops using watering cans, mulch, and create holes during planting. They were all eager to learn and practice what they were taught. We do believe by the end of the season they will be happy to eat their harvest.

MONTHLY FOOD SUPPORT
Children are always supported with food in their respective homes. They appreciated the kind of humanity that is shown to them on a monthly basis. The social workers ensure each child is visited and given food. We are very thankful for the support granted to our dear children.

BUYENDE PROJECT/ MIRYANTE COMMUNITY CENTRE EAST

Our children in the East greet you all and hope that everyone is fine. The children are also fine and appreciate the endless support from their beloved donors. They received their first term holidays at the beginning of April and they are hoping to start their second term studies in early May. Please take a look on some of the activities we carried out on our centre days throughout the month of April.

HAIR TRIMMING
Good hygiene is one of the best ways to protect our children from various diseases and also improve the quality of their lives in the community. Schools also encourage keeping children’s hair short to avoid the inconveniences of combing. Below are some of the photos showing the organization's barber Mr.Kimuli Fred trimming the hair of our children and how beautiful and neat they looked after.

ISSUING OF FOOD AND GOATS
We issue food to every child on our centre days. The organization ensures constant supply of food so as to fight starvation among our children and to make sure none of our children goes on an empty stomach.

RECEIVING OF GOATS
Following the organization's slogan of helping one child and family at a time. The organization came up with a policy of goat rearing where a goat is given to each family. This is done to help families in providing supplementary income. (Secondary income with minimum investment) Goats provide milk to help them boost their immunity and if taken care of well, they can multiply. We take this opportunity to thank our donors for the support towards this goat project.

AGRICULTURE
The month of April was holiday time for the children, our social workers encourage parents to teach children how to dig in order to utilize their ideally while on holidays, engaging them in activities that enhance their wellbeing is important in nurturing them. Agriculture is one of the key activities practiced in our society and also the primary source of stable food supply in the community.

STORY TELLING
Stories help to develop a child’s imagination by introducing new ideas into their world. It encourages children to realise that they can and should imagine anything they want. Story telling also introduces new vocabulary to children, boosts their reading and listening skills and pronunciations.

COLORING AND PLAYING.
Coloring can be incorporated into art. Getting children to color helps to nurture them into artists and also helps them to relax their minds because they get to meet their friends and it is interesting.

 

 

Click here for the emailed newsletter - Miryante Newsletter April 2022