Am so glad to write to you in this upcoming Christmas Season. Hope you are all doing well in all that you do. It is our joy to let you know that things are fine here in Uganda and the ministry is going very great. Thank you for the continued support you give for the work in Uganda.  Your partnership with REACH has helped to touch many Ugandan children and their families.

The students at Omega School are now doing their end of school year Exams to be completed in two weeks time. They will be having their big holiday on December 2^nd 2011; we again thank you for enabling these kids to have an opportunity for an education as it would have been not possible for the majority of them.

Christmas party is coming up and the kids are so excited. They try to come to me and ask if we are going to have it again. So it is a blessing to see children celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our P.7 Candidates finished well their P.L.E. and are now waiting for the results which are expected back in mid January 2012.  Pray that they all pass well with an A.

We have been working hard on clearing our new farm land by removing stumps and cutting bushes in preparation for next year’s planting season.   The rains have been so much which has made so hard for the drill truck to reach the spot surveyed for the well.  We expect the rain to stop early December so we should have the well drilled in January 2012.  Am sorry for these unplanned challenges.  We do not always have a lot of rain at this time of the year but this has been so strange.

I would love to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2012.

Fred Tumwebaze

 Project Update

       Omega School’s new latrines are nearing completion thanks to the generous gift of a friend of REACH.    This much needed project will help meet the needs of the ever growing student population at Omega School.

In the upcoming newsletters updates on each REACH project will be published.  The status of the campus improvements, chicken house construction, the Good Shepherd Farm, and the Omega School Ag Project will be included.   Please be encouraged to pray for each of these projects as they move towards completion.

Your partnership in prayer and financial support has helped to accomplish much in 2011.

     Expressions of joy and thanksgiving were evident on the faces of 530 students at Omega School in mid-October as they became recipients of mosquito nets.  These students were overjoyed to be numbered among the children to benefit from  this initial  distribution of mosquito nets by REACH. 

   These children were blessed by means of the generous and compassionate giving of REACH sponsors and supporters, including a single $3500 donation (designed to be provide for the initial distribution as more funds were received).   Five hundred (500) nets were purchased and the supplier gifted REACH with a 30 net bonus.  In December the remaining 58 students currently enrolled at Omega School will receive a mosquito net as more are purchased.  As funds continue to be received a quantity of nets will be purchased to have on hand as replacements for damaged or stolen nets and to meet the needs of the ever growing student population.

Mosquito nets were handed out with this reminder to the parents and guardians, “These nets are for the children, please do not take them for yourselves.”  Perhaps in the future enough funds will be provided for the purchase of nets for the entire household of the students and beyond.

As a reminder of this opportunity to help protect children from malaria, the “Mosquito Nets” line will remain in the Extra Giving section of the remittance portion of the newsletter.  Thank you for your participation in this much needed ministry to the children of Uganda.

Primary Leaving Examination

    The time has come for Primary 7 (P-7) students at Omega School to demonstrate their proficiency levels by means of the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE).  On November 2-3 a total of 52 PLE candidates from Omega will take part in this examination that will determine their readiness to move on to secondary school as they pursue their education at this next level.

The Omega candidates ask for your support through prayer as they take part in the PLE.  These students, like their counterparts here in the USA, tend to get nervous when these mandatory testing periods arrive.  Pray God’s peace on each candidate during  this stressful time.

 Christmas 2011

     November is the last month funds will be received and applied towards the 2011 Christmas Fund.  Once again, REACH will provide special gifts and an all-school meal in honor of Christ’s birth.  To date, $2643 has been received.  There is still time to exceed last year’s $4000 in gifts.  Thank you all who have given so far towards this special celebration at Omega School.

Truck Donations

     Gifts for the Omega School Ag Project truck are still being matched by a REACH supporter.  To date $2460 of the $9000 needed has been raised.  When the $9000 is raised that sum will be matched to meet the $18,000 purchase price of the needed truck.  Your prayers and gifts for this project are welcomed and appreciated.

 My name is Namulinda Aisha Tibiri with REACH number UG/393, born on 3^rd/12/2001 and now in grade three (3). I stay with my grandmother known as Nangobi Topirista in the village called Buwolero. My father and mother died when I was four (4) years old.

My parents died in a fatal motor accident when I was young, I never got chance to stay with them. My young brother, Amuza Kitiibwa was left when he is not even a year old.  On the day they got an accident Amuza was with them but fortunate enough he escaped death. I thank God he survived.

It was hard time for us after the death of our parents, we moved from place to place seeking comfort and begging money from people. The reason was that we were seeking ways of survival, just because we had no immediate alternative. By then the only choice left was to beg.  Our grandmother was and she is old, she was not able to work for our survival.

During our days on streets God brought a Good Samaritan who picked us and started taking care of us, unfortunately he had not enough to prolong his help to us. It was in 2007, we went to church with him, message was preached and it moved my grandmother, brother Amuza, and me to take Christ as our personal savior.

Later, we were introduced to Rescue African Children (REACH) through Rev. Fred Tumwebaze. When I joined REACH, I got chance to start school at Omega School. When at School I was informed that, I got sponsors. I thank them for they have brought a lot of joy and peace to my heart. I now have hope for the future. I call them my parents because they have provided to me most of the necessities at school and some at home.

I bought a goat from some of the funds sent to me by my sponsors. The goats reproduced and were sold. After being sold a healthy calf was bought and it is growing very well. In the nearby future it will as well reproduce. We will be drinking some milk and sell some for a little income for our household.

May God bless my sponsors for all they have done to help, and may God bless all other sponsors who love children so much through REACH.

 Christmas 2011

     October and November are the last two months funds will be received and applied to the 2011 Christmas Fund.  Once again, REACH will

provide special gifts for each child at Omega School as well as provide a special meal to help celebrate the birth of Christ.

Last year’s celebration was a tremendous success due to the generous giving of REACH sponsors and supporters. Your extra gift will help bless the lives of our Ugandan children.

A Reminder or Two

•  An extra gift of $7 will provide a child with a mosquito net  which will provide protection from malaria

• Your gift for the Omega Ag Project truck and trailer are still being matched by a REACH supporter.

Did you know that just seven ( 7 ) dollars can potentially save a life?

Sounds impossible?  Far reaching? Or just not so? …… Yet, it is true!  A donation of $7.00 to the REACH mosquito net fund will provide a child with a pre-treated mosquito net which will help protect everyone sleeping under the net from the life threatening mosquito bite that carries malaria.

Malaria facts the World Health Organization 

Malaria is spread by the bite of an Anopheles mosquito.  The mosquito transfers the malaria parasite, Plasmodium, from person to person.  People get very sick with high fevers, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, chills and flu-like illness.  Especially in children, the disease can worsen rapidly, causing coma and death.

About 3.3 billion people – half of the world’s population – are at risk of malaria. Every year, this leads to about 250 million malaria cases and nearly one million deaths. People living in the poorest countries are the most vulnerable.

Malaria is an especially serious problem in Africa, where one in every five (20%) childhood deaths is due to the effects of the disease. An African child has on average between 1.6 and 5.4 episodes of malaria fever each year. And every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria. Malaria kills more African children than any other disease.

In community-wide trials in several African settings, insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs) have been shown to reduce all-cause mortality by about 20%. Their use has repeatedly been shown to reduce severe disease and mortality due to malaria in endemic regions.

Our goal is to raise funds to purchase pre-treated mosquito nets for all 565 children that attend Omega School.  This will not only help the children that attend the school but also any siblings that may also sleep under the net.

Yes, you can potentially save a life for $7.00 and make a difference for the children at Omega School.

Please consider adding an additional donation toward the mosquito net fund this month.  Invite your family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to support this project. Together we can make a difference.

Omega School Ag Project

A well-drilling rig has arrived on the newly acquired land indicating that drilling will soon commence. Pray that all goes well as this project gets underway.

Also, remember that matching funds continue to be offered for the purchase of a truck ($18,000 total cost) and trailer needed for the Omega School Agriculture Farm.  After a truck is secured, funds will be raised to purchase a trailer ($8,000 total cost) that will be utilized to transport supplies and tools, serve as an aid in the harvesting process, and help transport the harvest to storage and market.

     Much excitement was generated last month as the report from Uganda stated that negotiations for a 52 acre parcel of land were underway.  It is a joy to report  that these negotiations have ended without the land being purchased.

     Pastor Fred Tumwebaze states, “The person who was to sell us the 52 acres changed his mind at the last minute and said he would only sell 25 instead, but God had something better for us out there. I asked friends to pray and now our prayer has been answered in a better way.”

    Although this first parcel was lost, a better parcel was found, an answer to prayer.  Pastor Fred reports he is “so glad to update you on the Land Issue, thank you so much for praying. The Lord has surprised us with a good and bigger land for Omega School Agriculture Farm. We now own close to 70 acres of land located about 69 km (approximately 43 mi.) from Buwenge.”

    Currently, the land is being farmed and has a crop of corn that will be harvested in a matter of weeks, and a crop of sweet potatoes due to be harvested in 2-3 months.  These crops will remain the property of the former owner, but REACH will contract the drilling of a well in the next few weeks and then build the house for the workers.  

     Pastor Fred prays that “the Lord may provide a truck for the farm work and transportation of workers and students and that all goes well with the development of this project.” 

 Greater Distance, Greater Need 

     With the greater distance between Omega School in Buwenge and the new 70 acre parcel, the challenge of transporting the tractor, supplies, workers, and Omega students to and from the Farm has become greater.  Please give prayerful consideration to sending an extra gift to help with the purchase of a truck ($18,000 total cost) to aid in this great endeavor. 

     Remember that matching funds continue to be offered for the purchase of a truck and trailer needed for the Omega School Agriculture Farm.  After a truck is secured, funds will be raised to purchase a trailer ($8,000 total cost) that will be utilized to transport supplies and tools, serve as an aid in the harvesting process, and transport the harvest to storage and market.

As previously reported REACH has been focused on raising $25,000 to purchase 50 acres of land for the Omega School Agriculture Project.  As Pastor Fred traveled across America he shared with many individuals, groups, businesses, and churches that a friend of REACH offered to match gifts for special needs when 50% of the funds were secured.  The response by REACH supporters and sponsors has been overwhelming.

“During my trip here I have been sharing the need for us to buy our own land so that we do not continue to suffer the pain that comes from landlords,” states Pastor Fred.  “I am so happy to say that the response has been very great. Now the needs for the farm have been met!”

Funds will be transferred to Uganda in June that will cover the cost of the acreage ($25,000), water well ($8,000), and building ($8,000) to house workers and supplies.  Pray for the Lord’s

help to identify and secure the “right” parcel of land for this project.  “REACH could be planting corn on its own land in the second season of this very year,” states Pastor Fred with a thankful heart for all that God has done.  “Thank you all for your partnership in praying and giving.”

Matching Funds

“You gotta have a dream. If you don’t have a dream, how you gonna make a dream come true?”  -   Oscar Hammerstein II  (South Pacific).  Obtaining its own land for the Omega School Agriculture Project may have seemed quite ambitious to some for an organization the size of Rescue African Children.  However, as stated earlier, the $25,000 goal has been met in a very short period of time due to the promise of matching funds.

The “dreaming” continues as does the offer of matching funds.  REACH desires to purchase a truck and a trailer for work on the project.  Pastor Fred explains, “The truck is needed for transporting workers to the farm from Buwenge as the farm will be 40km away. It will also be used to move corn to Buwenge from the farm and take kids to the farm to learn how to plant and how to take care of animals. The cost for the Truck is $18000 – 50% will be matched so we are raising $9000.  The trailer is needed for moving the tractor and other things in and out of the farm. The cost of the Trailer is $8000, but we are raising now $4000—50%.”

Let’s dream together and then make the dream come true as we pray and trust God  for His provision. Consider sending an extra gift to help with the purchase of these two farm needs.  Together, with God’s direction, great things are being accomplished in Uganda.

Season One—Looking Good

After losing the lease on the 50 acres of land utilized last year, REACH was able to secure a lease on a 32 acre parcel for the 1st planting season of 2011.  Maize (corn) has been planted and workers are weeding.  “Maize is doing well and we hope for a good harvest since there is enough rain for this season in Uganda,” reports Pastor Fred.  “It will be good to have our own land so we can keep getting good crops to feed the 556 children at Omega a complete meal. “

I am Musoke, Bright, and I was born on 28^th/02/1998. My father died when I was still young and I never got chance to see him. My mother is still living, but not staying with me.  I do live with my grandmother in a family of seven people.

I remember in the month of February 2006, when I was in Primary 2.  It was the time I got introduced to the REACH sponsorship program. My aging grandmother was struggling to get money from what she grows for the 7 people at home and finding school fees and other school materials for me. Always her garden’s production is determined by good weather, when drought struck the country, it means scarcity and famine for our home. 

I am now happy and in Primary 6 at Omega School. In our recent four weeks holiday I received my gift of $130 and I bought a bicycle, mattress, blanket, shirt, trouser, socks, belt and shoes. I thank my sponsor so much for the gifts sent to me. I am so happy!

And my grandmother is so happy for me. My happiness is now contagious, because your love for me is making others to be happy for me.

The bicycle I bought is now helping me to come to school everyday, carry food from the garden to home, and fetching water. My grandmother now is relieved, too, from carrying the sacks and baskets of food on her head all the time.

May God bless you abundantly!

Musoke, Bright

UG/809

In Pursuit of a Parcel

Upon his return to Uganda, Pastor Fred Tumwebaze set aside a few days to “catch his breath” and get re-acquainted with his wife, Joan, and his two sons, Jeremiah and Jonathan.  The family’s reunion was sweet and all were glad the time of separation had come to an end.  God answered the prayers for safety and fruitfulness on Fred’s 2011 USA Trip.

Another prayer answered was for the provision of land to be purchased for the Omega School Agriculture Project.  Pastor Fred was able to find a 52-acre parcel of land and has entered into negotiations to purchase the parcel.   Hopefully, next month’s newsletter will report specifics about the purchase of the parcel, leading all of  the REACH  Family to celebrate this significant accomplishment.

Matching Funds

Matching funds continue to be offered for the purchase of a truck and trailer needed for the Omega School Agriculture Project.  Please consider sending an extra gift to help with the  purchase of a truck ($18,000 total cost) needed to haul workers, supplies, and the harvested produce to and from the agriculture farm.  After a truck is secured, funds will be raised to purchase a trailer ($8,000 total cost) that will be utilized to transport supplies and aid in the harvesting process.

Thank You

Thanks go out to all who helped make Pastor’s Fred trip to the USA a huge success.  Several people were involved in the planning and promotion of Fred’s “tour”, and many served as gracious hosts providing housing, meals, and transportation during Fred’s stay.

“Thank you!” and “Welcome!” to all the new sponsors and supporters that joined the REACH Family.  Together we will touch many lives.

     My name is Namulondo, Ziria sending lovely greetings to you all. Hopefully God has protected you well and given you more blessings. As for me I am doing great and smiling especially when I received a birthday gift of $30.  I am very happy and thankful to God for the gift I got, I really feel I am loved, cared for and thought of by sponsors.

     I thank  God for giving me a sponsor since 2005 when I was in grade 4 up to now when I am in secondary level. Before me getting my sponsor I had lost hope of studying, being cared for and getting happiness, this is because I had lost my Dad who was our bread winner. This made me think that I had come to the end of the world because by then I was still young and I could see us at home living a miserable life.

     But now, I am glad for the sponsorship I get.  I am happy now and life is real moving on well.  The support has kept me at school, the gifts I buy from the money they send me have made me a nice, beautiful young lady. I am proud of my dear sponsors.  My prayers to God are to give life, blessings, protection, and bless the work of hands of all the sponsors.

     As I write now I have made 16 years and I am in senior one class. Am so much happy for the medical money of $30 they sent to me. From this I bought a mosquito net that will help protect me from malaria. I will be using the rest of the money for a medical check up so that I continue being more health. With the $30 for my birthday I bought two nice skirts, a pair of shoes and a top, blouse.  I am very much happy and appreciate all that, but unfortunately I can’t show my appreciation on this mere paper, but I assure you it is from the bottom of my heart. I wish you all the best.

Namulondo Ziria   UG/701

Pastor Fred’s Travel Update

     What do Southern California, the Eastern Sierra, the Sacramento Area, and Arkansas have in common?  That’s correct!  These are all places Fred has visited over the past several weeks.  Whether speaking to home groups, individual classes and Christian Clubs at schools, businesses, or churches,  Pastor Fred has touched the hearts of all of the people he has come in contact with. 

     With passion, Fred has shared both the Word of God and the vision for REACH to very diverse audiences.  No matter the where or who of the audience, the one constant has been the overall response for sponsorship of children and pastors, and the support of project needs. 

     Currently Pastor Fred is in Arkansas.  Please continue to pray for his safety in travels, and for the watch care over his family during this time of his family during this time of being apart.  Also pray for people to respond to God’s call to sponsorship and support of the ministry of REACH.

Focused Effort

     Currently, REACH is focused on raising $25,000 to purchase 50 acres of land for the Omega School Agriculture Project.  Your help with this purchase will save REACH $6000 per year in lease money. Crops grown on the land will provide food for Omega students as well as income as some of the harvests are sold locally.

       I Munaabo Ivan was born in 02^nd/02/1995 in a family of 4 children. One brother died and we remained 2 boys and 1 girl. In 2000 my father died and we stayed with our mother until now.  

     However, in grade 3 class I was introduced to my sponsors through Rescue African Children – REACH now I am in senior two in this programme. I was able to go through school without struggle. This is because I got all I needed for school.  

     I have received a lot of gifts from my sponsors in the US since they chose to be part of my life. 

     This year during my 16^th Birthday, I received a birthday gift of a bicycle and this made me extremely happy. I now will say my sponsors have painted a wide smile on my mouth.

God bless you. Good bye.

 Right on Schedule

     On March 14 Pastor Fred arrived safe and sound at LAX at his scheduled time.  To date, Pastor Fred has preached the Word in churches and made presentations on the work of REACH in homes, schools, and several youth and children’s meetings at local churches.

     Results of the first two weeks of Fred’s visit have been very fruitful and have led to an anticipation of God generating a high number of new sponsors for children and pastors.

     Fred’s update report on REACH has been well received by sponsors.  Hearts have been filled with great joy to see how God has used funds from monthly support and special project gifts to accomplish great things in the lives of the people of Uganda. 

     Prayer for Pastor Fred as he travels from place to place is greatly appreciated and will certainly lead to great things for the glory of God.  Thank you for your partnership.

 Pastor Fred’s 2011 Visit 

• March 15—March 31:  So CA
• April 1— April 6: Bridgeport/Bishop, CA
• April 7—April 17: Sacramento, CA (N CA)
• April 19— May 16: Arkansas
• May 17— May 25 Moreno Valley, CA
• May 26—June 1: New York   

Needed Prayer

     Within hours of arriving in the USA Pastor Fred received news that his 2 year old son Jeremiah was in need of an unexpected hernia-type surgery.  Faced with a sense of helplessness (9,000 miles from the situation) Fred turned to prayer for strength.  God answered in a mighty way as He granted peace for Fred and Joan, and brought Jeremiah through a successful surgery. 

     Please pray for Jeremiah’s complete recovery and join in Fred’s praise of God for His faithfulness.

Patrick Omoga

Esther Mirembe

Primary Leaving Examination Results 2010

 

      After a very long two and one-half month wait Omega School received the results of the Primary Leaving Exams (PLE) from the Uganda Examination Board.  As reported by Pastor Fred Tumwebaze, “I have to tell you the truth that our hearts have been so much on tension and eager for these results as it is our first time to have our candidates do their final exams at our own center at Omega school. Everybody was so happy for the center number 090082 that was given to our school last year with which we held a thanksgiving ceremony and celebrations.  The next thing that people were waiting to see was the performance of candidates at this new center.  I do not know how it is in the USA but here in Uganda most people are mostly interested to know how many passed in first Division so if a school comes out with none then it is considered  to be a weak school. “

      Omega School proved to be far from “weak.” The report showed that eleven candidates from Division 1 passed the PLE.  This number is significant as it demonstrates that Omega School has a very strong educational program in place.  Division 1 success lays a strong foundation for future success for students as they pursue their educational dreams.  Results also stated that 20 candidates from Division 2 passed, as did 1 candidate from Division 3.     

      In addition to the efforts of the teaching staff and the students, the increased food supply at Omega School contributed to the high level of success  on the PLE.  Hunger no longer distracts students from their learning experience.  Omega School was also able to board the candidates on campus as they prepared for the exams—again, food supply was not an issue, a true blessing for the students at Omega.

     “Many thanks go to all of you who prayed for our candidates during the examination period.,” beams Pastor Fred.  “Thanks be to God for the blessing of food that made it possible for us to have these students stay fully at School.  I would love to thank all our supporters for the financial contributions you make to the success and growth of Omega School.”

Pastor Fred’s 2011 Visit

 Pastor Fred Tumwebaze will be in the USA from 3/14—6/ 2.  The focus of this visit will be to:

• Rekindle friendships
• Establish new relationships with individuals, churches, schools, and organizations.
• Enlist 200 new sponsors
• Report on project/ministry progress/success
• Please pray for Pastor Fred’s safety and the success of this trip.  Spread the word.