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From the Director’s Pen |
Dear Friends,
Blessings to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Am so happy to bring to you Uganda greetings and to report that I returned home safe after a ten week visit to the USA from April 16 to June 29, 2009. I was so glad to see my family.
My trip went well starting in California, then to Texas, Arkansas and New York. I would love to reach my thanks to all the friends and churches that hosted me homes and churches that allowed me to speak. To all those that helped to coordinate for me in each state please receive my humble thanks and may the Lord bless your hard work that was shown.
Over 50 kids were sponsored and 3 pastors on this trip. One church in Texas sponsored ten kids. Donations for the completion of the School library and the kitchen were received and we are continuing with building work and hope to be ready at the end of September 2009. Many thanks go to the families and companies that have helped to this day to have the building of this great library for Omega School completed.
During the trip I shared about the need to have a tractor bought for Omega School Agriculture Farm so that we are able to start growing our own food to feed the kids with a better meal. Now they only feed on one cup of porridge a day. $8,000 was raised; we are now remaining with a balance of $16,000 to meet the goal. I reach my thanks to every one that has given to this need and I still call on more people to help so that together we can get this need taken care of. A gift of any amount is highly appreciated.
I introduced REACH in USA in 2004 on my first visit, many people got involved by becoming sponsors of children and the challenge I faced was to have donations tax deductible, but God worked it out through Bridgeport Christian Fellowship that voted to sponsor REACH with their Tax free number which makes all donations to REACH tax deductible. Am so happy to report that REACH is now incorporated in the State of California and soon we will have our own Tax Free number!
Officially, I humbly introduce the following officials: Pastor Rodney L. George has been appointed to serve as the Director of Operations for REACH USA, David Fast for Financial Records, Dana Eagan for Public Relations, Becky Schriber as the Mission Coordinator, Emily Rickard for Newsletter Publication, Sandy Eagan for Website.
New Omega School Library(left) and computer lab (right)
It has become necessary to make a few changes in REACH policies in regards to extra monetary gifts. We have been encouraging sponsors to give their sponsored children extra gifts for birthdays, Christmas, and Easter, but not all sponsors are able to send extra Christmas or Easter gifts. The few kids that get gifts for Christmas are happy but the majority are unhappy. We are now introducing a general fund for Christmas so that all kids share the funds instead of only a few kids, and this will create joy amongst all kids. The Uganda office will decide what to buy for all children each year depending on how much funds would have come in. Christmas money gifts for individual children will not be accepted this year. All sponsors are encouraged to give to the general fund to serve all kids. Birthday money will not be shared. Money gifts for Easter are no longer allowed. Sponsors that donated in advance for Christmas 2009 or Easter 2010 will be contacted by Pastor Rodney regarding the gifts.
Thank you so much the love you have for your Ugandan children and we appreciate your continued support to the needs of REACH and Omega School. My prayers are with you in all that you do.
Yours in Christ,
Fred Tumwebaze Director and Founder of Rescue African Children Jinja, Uganda–Africa
