Monday, October 29, 2012

My friend Bill Tulloch visits my daughters in Uganda...

 I did spend some time with Clare, Diana and nine of your daughters.  Everyone sends their love and thanks for your gifts.  Several of your daughters are now "girl-guides" (scouts) and they helped out with the large crowd during Sunday's 25th Jubilee celebration.  They looked proud in their uniforms.  They've come a long way from their nights on the streets!  I also had a chance to visit them in their home, very nice, just not much furniture yet.  Still, a solid floor, dry, electricity, a good roof and a private walled in backyard, not bad by Bwayiise standards.  We also got a chance to visit your daughter Miriam at the teaching school where she lives and studies.  She is very concerned about tuition money for next term.  But then again, as you might expect, I heard about money needs from most everyone.

Thanks Bill for the update from Uganda. If anyone is interested in helping Miriam with m her college education contact me and I will work it out with you

.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

A new addition to the House of Jjajja Don in Kampala


Dear Don!
I received a call in the morning on  Tuesday 17th, July 2012 from the House of the Girls that Fiona Namugerwa had delivered a kicking lively baby boy! Both the boy and the mother are fine. Thanks for your prayers, please!

Gerald

Street Ministry


Sometimes ministry starts after the official ministry ends…..

Last night, after four of us completed the street ministry for St Aloysius, a man approached me with a funny request. I walked through a park we had just been in and he came to me with his hand out and took mine. He said, “What I really want is a hat.” He looked at mine and smiled. I said, “After having just given you two sandwiches, five packets of crackers and a bottle of water, what you really wants it my hat?” He said, “I really need a hat.” I took off my hat and said to him,” This hat has travelled the world with me. You want my hat? Really?” He said, “I really need a hat.” I said, “The pin that is on this hat was given to me as a gift at my ordination 17 years ago. Really, you want my hat.” He said it would truly be a blessing to have a hat. I placed the hat on his head and said, “Then let God give you this blessing. But don’t let me find this in a dumpster or discarded in an alley. You wear that hat.” He promised that he would.

I walked two blocks and passed through another park and was approached by a man I have known now for about a year. He asked how I was doing and started to walk with me. He thanked me for having worked to get him some items for his apartment. However, he needed something else—a rug. I told him who to see someone in the morning and we could work on the rug. He asked where I was headed and said he would walk with me as my body guard! I smiled and said he was welcome to tag along. We talked about our younger years and the deaths of our fathers. He lost his dad at age 16 and I lost mine at age 17. He is 56 years old and I am 57—much to his surprise I am older than him. He told me he would be 57 next week on his birthday and I told him I had just turned 57 the week before. We were both born in July. I said to him, “See we are very much alike. “ He smiled at that. As we walked across the boulevard a man called out to me, “Hey I know you. You’re the guy who hands out the sandwiches.” I said, “Yes I am and I just finished. In fact the guy sitting next to you just a got a bottle of water from me two blocks over.” The man lifted his bottle and said, “Thanks for that by the way.” We chatted for a bit and then I walked on.

My body guard said to me as we approached the little store by the carport. Deacon could you help me out with something in the store? I said, “How long have you known me? Have you ever known me to carry money on me?” He smiled and looked me square in the eyes and said, “A man has to try doesn’t he?” We both laughed and he said, “I’ll see you at mass on Sunday!” I told him I would look forward to seeing him there.

I wonder where the real ministry took place tonight. Was it with the backpack with all the supplies or was it with the men a met along the way walking home? I guess I’ll let God decide on this one.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Future Plans and Costs for My Daughters


 
Dear Don!
Greetings from the House of Jjajja Don at St Kizito!
i) Below are the estimated costs of some (used) tailoring sewing machines plus their accessories found in Kampala that can be bought to establish the girls’ workshop or industry:
1.       Sweater / Socks sewing machine (1) at Ug. Shs. 300,000/=
2.       Over-lock machine                          (1)                     350,000/=
3.       Baby-lock machine                          (1)                     450,000/=
4.       Machine straight & zigzag              (1)                     250,000/=
5.       Button-presser                                 (1)                     200,000/=
6.       Buttons (each size)                                                      25,000/=
7.       Tables for manual machines 80,000/@x(4)          320,000/=
8.       Motor                                                (1)                        30,000/=
9.       Scissors                                    3,500/=@x(4)              14,000/=
10.   Threads - Tweads (packets):3,000/=@x(10)            30,000/=
11.   Materials (boxes)                20,000/=@x(10)           200,000/=
12.   Oil                                             1,500/=@x(6)                 9,000/=
13.   Mirrors                                   50,000/=@x(2)            100,000/=
14.   Models                                      5,000/=@x(10)          100,000/=
15.   Tape measures                        5,000/=@x(4)               20,000/=
16.   Electric iron (for stiffening / starch)                            80,000/=
17.   Stools / chairs                        25,000/=@x(4)             100,000/=                                  
18.   Charts                                       2,500/=@x(4)                10,000/=
19.   Pins                                                                                      5,000/=
20.   Zippers                                                                              20,000/=
21.   Chalk                                                                                    5,000/=    
Total estimated amount for Tailoring Workshop:          2,699,000/= (an equivalent US $ 1,125, when 1US $ is equivalent to Ug.Shs. 2400/=).
ii) The original agreement for the house of the girls was signed on 16 September 2011, with the funds you had sent last year 2011. Part of the money was paid for house rent (12 months), which will expire on 16 September 2012. The same funds were used make some house-repairs, to buy mattresses, bedding, and other house requirements, as the girls had nothing on them, as I had informed you earlier on; plus their upkeep as I have been updating you now and again.
The best time for the next payment would be August 2012. Note: the Landlord had wanted us this time to raise the house rent to Ug. Shs. 700,000/= monthly, (i.e. Ug. Shs. 8,400,000/= an equivalent of Us $ 3,500), without basic utilities: power i.e. electricity and water payments, which I found to be a lot of money, yet the locality is good with nice security for the girls. I shall have to sit with him and discuss for a bargain. I shall let you know the developments in due course, please.
May God bless you!
Yours,
Gerald.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

A Lost Daughter is Found



Dear Don!
We are back from our Annual Priestly Retreat! It was a nice moment of prayer and reflection!
Some good news from the House of Jjajja Don. One of the girl’s (Jackie Nabbumba), who had disappeared from the home, a few weeks after acquiring their home, back to the streets of Bwayiise – Kawempe last year 2011, re-surfaced to the girl’s on Tuesday, June 5, 2012. She decided to stay put in the Home with the rest. She told me on 22 June 2012, that even her little sister, Juliet Nakku would like to come back. Perhaps she is still shy. I am eagerly waiting for that moment to take place.
The monies you wired were credited to KCSC account 05 June 2012.
- The girls had made some 30 packets of candles and have been able to sell some 12 packets.
- I hope, I shall be in position to forward to you the costs of Sewing machines and their accessories, to be able to set up a tailoring workshop for these girls as well and to engage them in some other money generating work. There is enough space in their Home for this exercise and the girls expressed their interest in it.
My heart felt regards to all who offer their support for a difference in love and service!
May God bless you!
Gerald


Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Can You Help My Daughters in Uganda?

Hullo Don!

To be precise, the daughters need at least US $ 100 per a week for their feeding, and since this is festive season, perhaps some US $ 200.

If we are to move by quarters, it should be:

1 week x US $ 100 x 4 (weeks for a month) x 3 months = US 1,200, i.e. April to June 2012.

Mind you, these are girls with some special needs, e.g. sanitary pads, pants, lotions, etc...

-Fionna and Juliet are expectant mothers within a month's or two months time,

with some special diety.

-Some medical bills especially the little Steve and Shakira (about US $ 50)

-Water and electricity bills

-Regina Ntabadde has registered for Universal Secondery Education in Senior 1;

-Eve Namuli has registered for Universal Primary Education in Primary 7.

All in all, the Daughters for the next 3 months might need some US $ 2500, i.e. April - June 2012.

At least the accountability is available.

God bless!

Gerald

If you are able to help you may send a check made out to St Aloysius with "Uganda" on the memo line to 1234 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226.

Thanks, Don