In September, 2014 we made arrangements to purchase a house as a permanent residence for the girls living in the House of Jjajja Don under the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Diakonos Don Foundation (DIDOFO) in Uganda. A purchase price of $61,244 was negotiated with a down payment of $28,532 with the balance of $32,712 to be paid over a three year period.

In November, we sent the funds for the down payment on the house. When the DIDOFO representatives approached the seller, he changed the terms of the agreement so no purchase agreement was signed. In the meantime, another house was located that would meet our needs. The owner wanted $57,170 for the house and property. He was willing to accept a down payment of $28,532 with the balance to be paid in six months. The lower purchase price saved us $4,074. The DIDOFO Board accepted these terms and a purchase agreement was signed on December 2, 2014 for the house. Now the girls will be able to move into a new permanent home in January, 2015. It is a three year dream that is finally coming true!

Funds had been supplied to pay rent for the entire year on the current location. The DIDOFO Board notified the owner the rental agreement would be terminated on December 31, 2014. The balance of the rental funds will be used to make improvements on the new house.

So many of you have been instrumental in keeping the house open and functioning along with helping make the permanent house possible. Thanks to all of you and the support you have offered.

The entire endeavor has been a learning experience for me and the DIDOFO Board members in Uganda. We look forward to being able to build a long term residence and training school for these young women rescued from the commercial sex industry. The Board is working to develop a working plan for the house and a reasonable budget to implement the plan.

The challenge for me and the Board members of Bridging International Communities is to raise another $28,532 in the next six months to finalize the purchase of the new house. We currently have $7,044 towards that goal. We look forward to the challenge of finding the balance of $21,490 and will keep you all up-to-date on our success in assisting the House of Jjajja Don and its residents!

Peace and all good, Deacon Don Leach

A New House for the Girls--any way you think you can help out?

Dear Don,

I tried on Friday, 07th February 2014 to raise you on phone, immediately after meeting the owner of the new proposed DIDIFO Home, of the forwarded pictures. It was not easy, any way!

We came up with the following:

1. The home is enclosed (perimeter wall)

2. The premises have 3 structures:

               a) A big house with 3 bedrooms

               b) A guest house

               c) A boys quarter

3. After negotiations, the selling price: Ug. Shs. 180,000,000 an equivalent of Us $ 75,000 (when 1 Us $ is equivalent to Ug. Sh. 2,400/=).

Terms of payment:

70% i.e. Us $ 52,500 (Ug. Shs. 126,000,000/=) on date of signing the agreement with his Lawyers.

30% i.e. Us. $ 22,500 (Ug. Shs. 54,000,000/=) after a grace period of two months (2 months), after signing the agreement.

N.B.:

The house will of course need some renovations, and there are still some tenants, who are still occupying it.

Among a number of premises visited, this has come out to be the most spacious, and reasonable. Others are too small and yet more expensive for the cause.

No one around here is ready to accept payments after a long period of time, as we had thought before i.e. paying in 3 installments for a period of 3 years, while paying Us $ 20,000 for example, please!

I don't know now what to do, as wait to hear from you! There are a number of some other interested buyers around, I have been informed!

God bless!

Financial and Informational Update on the House of Jjajja Don

Dear Don,

Heartfelt greetings from Rehabilitation Home! Below are some financial updates

Balance as par 15^th January 2014:                         Ug. Shs. 22,726,303/=

24^th Jan. 2014: Instructors’ salaries:

 1. Flavia (Sewing): Ug. Shs.300,000/=

 2. Maria (Spinning)             300,000/=

 3. Hadhijah (Baby spinning)300,000/=

School Supplies:

 1) Eve Namuli                           150,000/=

 2) Regina Nantabadde            150,000/=

               Shoes                           30,000/=

 3) Juliet Nakku                           150,000/=

Spinning machines repairs                                   120,000/=

Sewing machines: lubricants                                 10,000/=

Spinning threads (EMMACO School order)      480,000/=

Transport to Kyebando VCT                                   42,000/=

Sanitary pads                                                                52,000/=

House supplies                                                         367,800/=

Facilitation: Ms. Dorothy Kateregga                   30,000/=

                 Gerald (Fuel)                                       70,000/=

                 Gerald                                                    50,000/=

                 Diana                                                      20,000/=

Facilitation: New Premises search: Ms Dorothy 30,000/=

                  Gerald (Gas) 70,000/=

                  Gerald                          50,000/=

                New premises photos                             30,000/=

Total Expenditure:                          Ug. Shs.     2,801,800/=

Balance as par 25^th January 2014:              Ug. Shs. 19,924,503/=

N.B.:

1. Emmanuel College (EMMACO), where Clare had her Ordinary level education in Kazo, placed in their order for 50 school sweaters before the beginning of 1^st Term academic year 2014. Some girls are busy knitting them, which is very much encouraging.

2. The learners will report for their 1^st Term academic year 2014 on 2^nd February 2014.

3. We are busy searching for new premises as the present land lord (Hadghi Ahammad Ntambara) seems reluctant to sell off his estates. We have visited a number of houses around Kawempe (St Kizito Bwayiise) in the company of Brokers. The bargaining price is around Ug. Shs. 200,000,000/= (Us $ 83,500 when 1 Us $ is equivalent to Ug. Shs. 2,400/=).

4. Allow me to forward to you some pictures of one of the houses that has consumed our interest for the cause. We have not yet met the owner of these premises though.

Thanks for all your efforts to support the needy future generation of our nation!

God bless!  

Gerald.

(January 29^th, 2014)