December 2, 2007 by scot.

Boy shot trying to feed his brothers and sisters and I am to blame I am reprinting this from Spotlight on Orphans Extra.

Mr. Richard was a church elder in a local Seventh-day Adventist Church. He and his wife were blessed with seven children. He contracted the AIDS virus
through a blood transfusion way back in 1996. Then he unknowingly infected his
wife. They both died in March, just around the time Esther, Vicki and Steve visited us here in Africa. Mr. Richard left behind seven children.
The local church tried to support the family but due to abject poverty in Africa they could not continue with the support. The firstborn boy, aged sixteen, came to
me and narrated his story. He wanted us to accept even two of his siblings into the Centre. At the age of sixteen he had become the sole breadwinner for his six siblings. It was too much for him. Unfortunately, we could not accept them into Hope for Children Center orphanage because of our financial capabilities.
Sadly enough, I read in one of the local newspapers just last month that the boy was shot dead by police officers in an exchange of fire during a bank robbery in Nairobi. I went to their home to confirm what I had read, thinking that the names could be similar. I met his thirteen-year-old sister who is his follower. She told me that her brother resorted to robbery in order to feed them. In fact, he was lured into it and that was his first attempt.
The boy is already buried and so in the family, the girl is now the sole breadwinner. We visited them last week while on missionary outreach with our orphans and took for them some little food. This is what she told us, which is just painful to me, “Pastor, I am very tired and hopeless, I have nowhere I can get food for our children. The future is completely dark for me. My siblings will soon die of starvation. The only option I have is to look for somebody who can marry me if he is promising to care for my siblings. It has to be soon, or else they’ll all die.”

Sixteen year old boy shot trying to feed his bothers and sisters. Now his sister will have to sell herself to feed them if no one will help. I feel responsible for this boys death because I have not done more. It only costs $30 a month to sponsor an orphan. Why didn’t I cover the $210 a month until sponsors could be found for these orphans.

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November 9, 2007 by scot.

Thanksgiving greetings from the hearts of the African orphans to your heart. How overwhelmed the orphans would be if they could for just one day see for themselves the bounty that most of us take for granted. And how overwhelmed we, the sponsors of the orphans, and we who have an interest in their well being, would be if we had to live for one day as they have had to live for most of their lives on the streets of the cities and villages in Africa! These orphans have lived without hope, and life without hope is a pitiful life indeed.

The orphans who have been blessed to have already been taken into one of the orphanages where their food and clothing and shelter are provided have been given hope–a gift of hope from someone who decided to sponsor an orphan and share their plenty with an orphan child who had nothing.

You who have sponsored one or more orphans have experienced the thrill, the joy of knowing that you have made a difference–a life and death difference–in the life of a child. Would those who have not yet had that experience, please think about it as you plan and prepare for this Thanksgiving season. Would you not like to do your part to feed the children who otherwise would go hungry? Your decision to sponsor an orphan will provide food, clothing and shelter for an orphan who would otherwise be hungry, near-naked and homeless, void of hope both for today and the future.

Sponsor an African orphan that is suffering because of poverty and enjoy a real Thanksgiving experience! Feed the children, and you will be “fed” yourself, filled with the joy of providing comfort and hope to one who has known little if any of either during their brief lives.

Blessings to you on behalf of Hearth to Hearth Ministries’ orphans and orphanages. Join volunteers in making a difference in the lives of orphans.

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August 21, 2007 by Orphans for Christ.

OCA T-shirts Project will be based on the existing Orphans for Christ in Africa (OCA) Logo. The T-shirts will be worn as the official uniform for all children and widows attending this year’s HOPE FOR KIDS Christmas Gift Celebration, in Uganda and during all official events of Orphans for Christ in Africa. The donor organization will have the option of placing the appropriate organization logo on the right Hand side of the T- shirts. The T-shirts will become a collector’s item by Orphans for Christ in Africa across Uganda and internationally and will have the potential to create revenue for the orphans.

Aims

The aims of OCA T-shirts Project are to:• Act as identification with the donor agency/Orphans for Christ in Africa partnership.
• Generate revenue for Orphans and widows within OCA programmes.
• Increase exposure of Orphans for Christ in Africa in Uganda and the sponsoring organization through sale and use of the T-shirts.

Objectives The objectives of OCAT-shirts Project are to:
• Present each child and widow attending the 2007 Hope for Kids Christmas Celebrations and all official OCA events with a tangible record of the event.
• Distribute additional T-Shirts throughout Uganda through sales to the attendees of the events
• Increase revenue for Orphans for Christ in Africa to support needy children.

Costs
The T-shirts can be produced in various sizes of small, medium, large and extra large, and xxx large sizes, for both children and adults. The T-shirts will be made out of 100% cotton materials, having Orphans for Christ in Africa Logo on the left hand side and the donor agency logo (if need be) on the right-hand side, with the inscription, “My Dad is Father to the fatherless”, on the back. The T-shirts can be in Gray, Navy Blue, Orange, White or Green non-shading colors. Producing this kind of T-shirt is cheaper and cost effective, especially when large quantities are required.

Cost for production of 1,000 pieces of 100% cotton T-shirts in USA, UK, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, and other places has yet to be obtained. It may well be more cost effective to produce the T-shirts locally in Uganda, in which case the donor may have the option of either providing funding or may like to investigate the costs for production on their own. The cost of producing one (1) 100% cotton Tee Shirt in Uganda is approximately US$7. Funding assistance is required to help OCA achieve this goal.

I’m writing to invite you to consider supporting us in this effort, by either providing T-shirts in-kind or funding for making the T-shirts locally in Uganda, or both. The T-shirts will be given as part of the ‘Christmas Gifts’ to each of the orphaned children, youth and widows attending OCA’s 2007 Hope for Kids Christmas Gift Party Celebration. Financial gifts will help purchase the T-shirts locally in Uganda, which we believe is cheaper than shipping the T-shirts in-kind.

Financial donations for this project can be made by mail or wire transfer. Checks should be made payable to: “Orphans for Christ in Africa Ltd” and mailed to our mailing address: P.O. Box 28454 KAMPALA UGANDA. To donate by wire transfer, please e-mail: anthony@orphansforchrist.com, for details. Financial support meant specifically for this project should be wired to OCA, by October 30, 2007.

All in-kind donations should be marked “Donations for Humanitarian Aid” and mailed (preferably) BY AIRMAIL, DHL, FEDEX or similar courier service, to our mailing address: P. O. Box 28454, Kampala Uganda, to the attention of Mr. Anthony Onyango Yakobo, Director, Orphans for Christ in Africa. Telephone: +256 782 691 159.

We will be grateful when we receive your positive response.

Sincerely,

Anthony Onyango Yakobo
Executive Director
Orphans for Christ in Africa (OCA)
P.O. Box 28454
Kampala Uganda.
Telephone: +256 782 691 159.
E-mail: anthony@orphansforchrist.com

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August 21, 2007 by Orphans for Christ.

One way you can support Orphans and disadvantaged children in Uganda is by donating goods and items in-kind. These goods can be donated used or new. Below please find List of items that could be donated:

Bibles:
· Bibles, Children’s Bibles, story books, coloring books, Sunday School Materials from BCIM (Bible Club Movement International), Christian Music CDs, Video tapes and VCDs, DVDs, Children’s Christmas Gift Boxes, childcare and children’s ministry training materials, etc.

School Supplies:· School bags, children’s reading books, pens, pencils, crayons, rulers, erasers, glue, writing paper, coloring paper, exercise books, children’s Bibles, story books, computer books, CD-ROMs, children’s school chairs, flash-cards, ABC distributing (Arts & Crafts), etc.

Clothing:
· Warm weather clothing of all kinds and sizes for children ranging from baby -17 years: school uniforms, shoes, skirts, blouses, dresses, shirts, shorts, pants, leather shoes, sports shoes, socks and stockings, t-shirts, towels, curtains, etc, and for adults as well.

Beddings:
· Light blankets, twin bed sheets, pillowcases, towels, soap, lotions, ointments, tooth brush and tooth paste, etc.

Games and Sports Equipment:
· Soccer balls, volley balls, basket balls, table tennis, netballs, sports shoes, outdoor sports wear, badminton, balloons, First AID Kits, etc.

Office Supplies and Furniture:
· Computer Paper (A4 size white and/or colored), card papers, files, envelops of all sizes, Paper Punk, Guillotines, Binders, empty CDs, flash discs, diskettes, bookshelves, office desks, chairs, filling cabinets, computer software, color printers, LaserJet ‘4’ Printer cartridges, etc.

Equipment: · PowerPoint Projector, Used Computers & Laptops, Diesel Generators, overhead projectors, CD Duplicators, used cell phones (card phones –should be un-locked so that it can be used with any network), etc.

Musical Instruments:
· Acoustic/electric and bass guitars, piano keyboards, sound boards, amplifiers, microphones, microphone stands, loudspeakers, trumpets, saxophones, violin, acoustic/electric drum set, (Band Equipment), etc.

Vehicles for Transportation:· 4WD double cabin pickup trucks, cars, vans, buses, (preferably 4 Wheel Drive). One of the main challenges here is traveling on rough roads with unreliable, overcrowded buses and taxis that serve as public transportation. It becomes especially challenging when traveling in the rural villages with almost no proper roads, and there are no buses. The only alternative means are “boda-boda” bicycles, which are not always safe. As such, OCA is in need of a reliable 4Wheel Drive Vehicle for safe travel and transportation.

Funding:
· OCA’s greatest need at the moment is financial resources to pay children’s school fees, and run programs and projects. Financial donations can be made by mail or wire transfer. Checks should be made payable to “Orphans for Christ in Africa Ltd” and mailed to our mailing address below. To make wire transfer, please e-mail Anthony, for details.

All in-kind donations should be marked “Donations with No commercial value” and mailed (preferably) BY AIRMAIL, DHL, FEDEX to our mailing address: P. O. Box 28454, Kampala Uganda, to the attention of Mr. Anthony Onyango Yakobo, Director, Orphans for Christ in Africa. Telephone: +256 782 691 159.

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August 21, 2007 by Orphans for Christ.

Dear friends:

This year marks the 2nd anniversary of Orphans for Christ in Africa (OCA) as an NGO, working with HIV/AIDS orphans, vulnerable disadvantaged children and youth, and their communities in Uganda. More than 3 million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS in this third-world country and this number is increasing everyday. Despite these tragedies, the children left behind need our support to enable them have a life of dignity and realize their full potential. At the same time, we recognize that HIV/AIDS is entirely preventable through education and awareness.

To date, Uganda remains one of the poorest countries in sub-Saharan African most affected by the AIDS Pandemic. In Uganda, where there is a staggering 3 million AIDS orphans with many new cases of HIV infection, nearly everyone in our country and city knows someone who has been affected by AIDS in some way — at home, work, school or place of worship.

At Orphans for Christ in Africa (OCA), we are dedicated to providing holistic care and support to children and youth left orphans and provide our local citizens with the information they need to help stop the spread of AIDS. As part of our continuing efforts, we are hosting 2007 HOPE FOR KIDS CHRISTMAS GIFT PARTY Celebration, for orphaned children and youth. This year’s celebration will take place in two of our Children’s Centers, namely; Kajjansi Children’s Center, in Kampala, and at New Hope Children’s Center, in Tororo, eastern Uganda. This year’s HOPE FOR KIDS Christmas Gift Party is scheduled for December 23, 2007.

Hope for Kids Christmas Gift Party Celebration is OCA’s annual end of year thanksgiving Christmas Gift Celebration for all orphaned and disadvantaged children and youth and widows who are in OCA’s childcare and support programs. The objective of the program is to enable orphaned children, disadvantaged youth and widows share in the joy and blessings of Christmas by giving them tangible Christmas gifts of clothing, shoes, beddings, blankets, scholastic materials, bicycles, toys, etc, and other in-kind presents.

OCA holds this program on December 23, of every year. A total of 200 orphans took part in last year’s Hope for Kids’ Christmas Gift Party that took place at Kajjansi Children’s Center, and each of the 200 children and youth received Christmas gifts and presents, donated by OCA supporters and friends from all over the world.

I’m writing to invite you to join with us in this effort, by providing goods and items in-kind and/or financial support towards this event. The items will be distributed as ‘Christmas Gifts’ to each of the children, youth and widows attending the Hope for Kids Christmas Gift Party Celebration, 2007. Financial gifts will help to purchase additional gift items locally in Uganda and buy refreshments for the children, youth and widows attending the Celebration.

The gifts of children’s clothing, toys, musical instruments, bicycles, beddings and school supplies donated last year for this same program was distributed to the 200 children who attended last year’s HOPE FOR KIDs Christmas Gift Celebration, at Kajjansi Children’s Center, Kampala Uganda. This year, we plan to have the Christmas Gift Celebration in two of our Children’s Centers namely; Kajjansi Children’s Center, in Kampala and New Hope Children’s Center, in Tororo district, eastern Uganda.

Items that could be donated for this program include, but are not limited to:

Children’s Christmas gift boxes, Bibles, clothing, bedding, shoes, games & sports equipment & supplies - soccer balls, volley balls, basket balls, table tennis, netballs, sports shoes, outdoor sports wear, badminton, balloons, First AID Kits, school bags, school supplies, Children’s Music CDs/DVDs, Bicycles; musical instruments - acoustic/electric and/or bass guitars, piano keyboards, sound boards, amplifiers, microphones, microphone stands, loudspeakers, trumpets, saxophones, violin, acoustic/electric drum set, (Band Equipment),etc. Goods and items meant for this year 2007 HOPE FOR KIDS Christmas program should be AIRMAILED to reach OCA offices in Kampala, by November 15, 2007.

Financial donations can be made by mail or wire transfer. Checks should be made payable to: “Orphans for Christ in Africa Ltd” and mailed to our mailing address: P.O. Box 28454 KAMPALA UGANDA. To donate by wire transfer, please e-mail: anthony@orphansforchrist.com, for details.

All in-kind donations should be marked “Donations for Humanitarian Aid” and mailed (preferably) BY AIRMAIL, DHL, FEDEX or similar courier service, to our mailing address: P. O. Box 28454, Kampala Uganda, to the attention of Mr. Anthony Onyango Yakobo, Director, Orphans for Christ in Africa. Telephone: +256 782 691 159.

Anthony Onyango Yakobo
Executive Director
Orphans for Christ in Africa (OCA)
P.O. Box 28454
Kampala Uganda.
Telephone: +256 782 691 159.
E-mail: anthony@orphansforchrist.com

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August 6, 2007 by scot.

Below are some emails that were sent about Winnie. The orphan that is trying to save the dying girl.

Dear Maurice,

Winnie’s sponsor has asked you to do whatever you can to
save this child that Winnie is laboring over and he has agreed to cover
the expenses. I would hate to see little Winnie’s heart broken after
trying so heard. We are so very proud of these young people and I know
you are also.

Please continue to let us know of the progress of this little girl, and
the cost of caring for her.

Esther

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August 6, 2007 by scot.

Pastor Maurice wrote the following letter about the famine and the difficulty street children are having in finding food.

You (Esther and Vicki) saw how many children were coming by the gate to at least get a meal or something to take home or even have their photos taken with a hope that we will one day accept them in to the center. It is a period of starvation but good luck, we have got maize and beans from Uganda.

For the last three weeks, it was reported that several children have died of starvation especially in this Province. In Homa-Bay and Rongo towns, 37 children have died of starvation or hunger related cases. No food for them and they died. On Friday, older boys and girls went to tears when they heard about it. Most of the children we have now were also from the streets and so they know what it means to starve to death. They had once felt the pain of starvation. That is why they held a meeting.
I did not attend the meeting and they even did not want me to attend. It was a meeting for the older boys and girls aged 14 and above. They discussed and came up with a solution which they later presented to us.
They decided that they want to save the lives of some of the children in the streets, let alone those who come by the gates everyday. So, they decided that Beginning last Sabbath (Saturday), they skip a meal a day and that meal is to be given to the children dying in the streets. So we began the program on Sabbath. It is still on and will continue until August.
Most of the children who have died of starvation in the streets are aged between 3years old and seven years old. So, in this program, they are only feeding children in that age bracket. They also carry water to give them. So far, they have fed about 214 children.

I thank God that we have orphans who can feel for their fellow suffering children in the streets. God is truly teaching these children to be missionaries. I am just so much impressed. They have not forgotten the pain of where they came from. They feel touched when they hear of young children dying of starvation.
Please pray for these our children and tell all the sponsors that their children are just so wonderful in deeds. Tell them that they generosity is not only saving lives and giving hope to the hopeless, but they are also raising missionaries for God.

Yesterday, Bob’s daughter (Winfred Ajwang) decided to carry one of the children they had fed. Actually, the child is too weak and I don’t think she will survive. She had probably stayed for weeks without food or even a place to sleep. Winfred is trying to spoon-feed her but I fear for her life. she might not survive the next four or five days.  She is about three years old or four. just found in the streets and so we have no history about her. But she is likely to die. Winfred has a lot of love for children and she truly feel for this child. The child sleeps on her bed and if she wets the bed, Winfred does not mind. She is saying that she is determined to save the life of the child. She was even too weak to speak yesterday, but today in the morning, she just smiled after drinking porridge and taking pineapple juice. She can not speak yet. She is just too think and all bones.

If this child is to survive, I am sure she will need some special medical attention. I don’t really know but we just put it into prayer.

WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE OR UNDERSTANDING, GOD IS RAISING UP MISSIONARIES AT HFCC. I HAVE DONE COMPLETELY NOTHING TO MAKE THEM MISSIONARIES FOR GOD. IT IS GOD DOING IT ALONE. I THANK GOD FOR THIS. LET US PUT THEM IN PRAYER.
Thank you very much and God bless you abundantly
Maurice

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