Everything flows

Dear friends

Life is like a river, as the saying “Panta Rhei” (“Everything flows”) goes. Always in motion, sometimes turbulent. This makes the start in life all the more important. But even a bad start can be followed by good things.

Our small children’s village has been demonstrating this for twenty years. See for yourself what the start in life means for Amelia, Paul and Joseph. They show by example that every person changes the world. An Advent message. 

And I want to tell you how a school and water wells help to overcome hardship and create future prospects for pupils and the community.

Water and love: stronger than fire and rock

Water is the strongest element. It can never disappear, is persistent and adapts. It overcomes rock and fire and is a symbol of the power of life and love. In the long run, both have the last word. Isn’t that also an Advent message? 

This seed grows. Even a bad start in life can be followed by many good things

For twenty years, we have been committed to helping vulnerable children, the poorest of the poor. Those who come to us have had a bad start in life. But to ensure that this does not have the last word, we stand up for them. Because we believe in them. 

Take Amelia, for example. She made the skirt she is wearing herself. It fits perfectly. Her smile speaks volumes: she beams with pride. She would love to dance with happiness. A picture of joy. That’s what it’s all about.

But Amelia’s start in life was different. Her father abused her. Today he is in prison. Her mother died and her grandmother is destitute. Then she came to us. Today, Amelia lives with our mother Harriet. Together they form a strong family. It’s like a seed that sprouts well. 

We can see that: The future is created in families.

Joseph. He is hard-working, versatile and a ray of sunshine. He is always engaged socially, in class and when playing chess. What does he want to be when he grows up? A priest. He also wants to change the world. But he knows that it won’t happen by itself. 

We see that responsibility arises in families.

Destiny. She recently traveled to the Indian Ocean for the first time with a small group of us. The encounter with the ocean touched her deeply. How small we are compared to its vastness

We see: Magical moments shape our lives. Destiny is grateful for them.

Benjamin. He is training to become a tinsmith. See his message for yourself.

Luwero: what a fountain can change

No one lives on air and love alone. In the poor district of Luwero, we have been running a school for the children of the poorest of the poor for years. There are no jobs, no public infrastructure and no healthcare here. The daily struggle for water and firewood is making both scarcer. Recently, desertification, climate change and a steady influx of Sudanese refugees have added to this.

But cycles of poverty can be overcome. We know that. But it takes a lot of experience, patience and resources. Our school is an example. Its water fountain and meals alleviate daily hardship. But as a school, it helps people to help themselves. Practical life skills. Prospects for the future. Self-confidence. Dignity. That is a start. Many of our former students have jobs today. They don’t always succeed. But it’s worth every shilling.

But recently, immigration has brought us to our limits. Water is the most pressing issue. An additional well – two would be better – and more sanitary facilities are urgently needed. If we could build two wells, we would place one outside the school. This would prevent conflicts, alleviate hardship and initiate social development.

It’s not cheap, but it would change the lives of many people.

With warm regards and thanks, 
Always yours Burkhard Varnholt

Giving life with every drop:
our water projects in Uganda