Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Update from Sylvia

Here comes the good news! 
Joan Nakidde had her hip replacement surgery at CorSU Hospital in Entebbe, Uganda, Africa on Tuesday January 28!!!!  It was delayed for a week because they didn't have her blood type (O+) and had to search for it.  However, thanks to our nurses, Lydia and Brigitte (Canadian nurse whom we all love and adore), everything worked out OK!

She will be on crutches for a while but when it heals she won't need any crutches any more!   She is entering Secondary-1 and should have a normal childhood.  Thank you all for caring about her and keeping her in your hearts and minds.

Children in school
We now have over 1,000 children in the primary school, of which 250 are orphans, and 91 orphans in secondary school (S-1 to S-6) plus three in college and one who has graduated!  :)  And all the secondary school students are in the same school so they are able to continue with their friendships that they started at the Mbiriizi Advanced Primary School.  

As always, we need sponsorship for these children ... $360/year for primary, $500/year for secondary, and $1,250/year for college.  You can easily do this by going to our website .... www.sylviaschildren.org ... and clicking on the donate now button in the top right hand corner.  

The site is safe and secure and payments can be done through PayPal.  If that isn't comfortable, just call us and we will process your credit card over the phone or you can send a check.  Just remember that investment in a child is for tuition, housing, food, clothing and health care ... best deal in the world!

Medical trip
We originally had six people signed up for the medical trip March 13 to 25 but it has now dwindled to two ... Dr. Jenna Fine and me.  And, although only two, it is important that we get over there and do as many physicals as possible and update existing records.  We will have Lydia, our school nurse, and we are trying to find a local nurse to work with us as well.

Farewell to Bruce and Brigitte
This is the saddest part of the newsletter.  Mid-March Bruce and Brigitte ... our wonderful friends and associates ... are returning to Canada permanently.  They have been so supportive and helpful we will all miss them.  The only good news?  They will be on our side of the world and much closer!

Lastly, Summer 2014 trip
In spite of snow and ice and yucky weather, it is time to think summer.  This year's trip will be June 12-24 and I need to know if you are planning on joining us!  This is the trip where we all work together ... repairing uniforms, sitting in classes, helping nurse Lydia ... it is a working trip followed by an exciting three day safari.  

The June trip is when we celebrate the orphan's birthdays (since many of them don't know their dates so we officially made June their birthday!).  Wonderful food, the kindness and loving of children, fantastic singing and dancing ... in short, a great trip.  Let me know if you are planning on coming this year.

As always, thanks for caring about these children and helping us make a difference in their lives. 

Sylvia Allen
732-946-2711
  

No comments: