Dear friends
Kids of Africa’s continues to live in quarantine – as does the whole of Uganda. Even if our kids miss a lot: they are neither alone nor desperate. After ten weeks, they learn what counts. They discover new treasures every day – most of them within themselves. Others through the experience of practical community. This will strengthen them on their way to becoming adults.Uganda needs young people like these – they can believe in themselves. After ten weeks, they learn what counts. They discover new treasures every day – most of them within themselves. Others through the experience of practical community. This will strengthen them on their way to becoming adults.Uganda needs young people like them – people who believe in themselves, in others and in community. A short report.
Isolated, but not alone
The newsletters you received in the last weeks are also expected and studied by our protégés in Uganda every Friday.Director Tage attaches them to a door, where they are immediately commented on by a bunch of children. In a way, they form a window to the world – whereby the children then imagine who the readers in Europe might be? How they live, what they like, eat, dress, what they laugh at or what moves them? Such mind games are important. Because thanks to them we develop a sense of the world, the community and the individual. Young people mature around such memories.
In the picture, two of the many bearers of hope, Joan (13) and Henrietta (14), read our last newsletter. Let us introduce them briefly: blessed with wit, charm, and a clear mind, Joan and Henrietta will undoubtedly one day be valuable supporters of their future families and communities. Who knows who will be the lucky ones to one day lean on them?
We, for sure, believe in them – just as we believe in all our protégés!
Planning – a deceptively simple secret of success
Do you know the saying? “Well-intended doesn’t always mean well-done.” By way of experience, we know it all too well. That’s why planning and organization are so important to us. For this pedagogical reason, we encourage our kids to organise sports tournaments themselves. Because it is an experience for life.
Here you can see our mother Jocelyne in the committed planning using pen, paper and calculator in collaboration with director Dorte.
Let me introduce Mother Jocelyne. This woman has heart and power! She is a free spirit – you can see that in her ten protégés. She has lived in the children’s village for seventeen years – and is not a bit tired. Many thanks to her – and also to all the other dedicated mothers and aunties!
Moments of happiness
Pictures often say more than words. Last week, the weather was friendly again for the first time. The torrential rainfalls decreased, nature flourished and our kids made the best of it. Happiness has many faces!
Time for a good talk
What is the value of a good, trusting conversation? It’s invaluable. Brenda (14) is one of our many protégés who sometimes has a thousand questions. How good, she always finds an open ear and a trusted partner in Director Dorte!
Shared work is good work
The common work in farm and household has become second nature to our village in the last weeks of the common quarantine.
Sports and games keep mind and soul healthy and happy
A bonfire, a time to relax and enjoy
Oh what joy! This week the garden was finally dry again and at the end of such days there is no greater pleasure than the ritual campfire, lots of bread dough (do you see the two dough buckets in the foreground of the picture?), exciting stories and maybe some drums or a guitar. These are the moments of happiness that our protégés will carry a life in their hearts. We believe in that as well.
Old shorts, new shorts
Jeremiah, Collins and Ian had torn their shorts. Director Dorte sewed them and lo and behold: old becomes new!
Shortly afterwards, protégé Medi also complained of a hole in his trousers. Half an hour later it was mended :-).
We all wish you a nice Whitsun weekend and greet you very warmly!
Yours,
Burkhard Varnholt