Celebrating the African Child, As School Begins

Hello There',
Here in Uganda, we began our second term studies last week, and as i write, all Village of Hope Children are in School in their respective levels with all scholastic s paid... Many thanks to God for using his people endeavoring to see children having a bright future.
All children are happy to be back to school and promise to perform better than last term,'We thank God for the good health while in Holidays and pray for the same this term.


About CHILDREN still, every 16/ June of each year, we celebrate the Day of the African Child in commemoration of children who died in Soweto South Africa who were advocating for their rights. For Jinja District, Uganda Hope Builders International was chosen to be on the organizing committee and arrange for presentations at Help International Project in Walukuba Masese. We accepted to be and of course organized our Children for presentations in forme of songs and poem relating to the year's Theme: Protecting the Rights of Children  A call For Action to ALL.
The occasion was graced by a number of dignitaries from Local Government like the LC5 Chairperson, who heads Jinja District, the Mayor ,R D C(Office of the President) and many others,..A big number of Children from Schools and NGOs' with a band leading the procession.
Our children's presentations were very impressive with the help of Jinja Christian School's Teachers Rachael and Jessica, in the training, we managed to present the best poem related to the theme.  Also our Hope Builders and After School Club Uniforms were admired by many,!!!

That was our day yesterday and made it to the village at 3;00PM with Joy...........Thanks to every Hope Builder
Ivan.................See Celebrations in PICS down

voh children to School, community ones no

ready for new term

arrival for DAC celebrations

In Action

Voh children watching other presenters

Procession into the celeb point

presenters showing their skills

still in action with a poem

we say protect children's rights

this is to certify we attended

It's Village of Hope

To all our beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, kind greetings from Village of Hope.
We continue to pray for you all and your families, we are praying for every activity geared to avail support to the  vulnerable, we have been praying for this year's Go the Extra Mile Walk since we had about it, and today we're to have an Over Night prayer meeting of all village of Hope staff and children specifically for Saturday's event. We believe the whole walk will be a success, we pray for good healthy,weather and targeted finishing for all the participants.

Back at V.O.H, we've had a good time, Children are well and its end of Term 1 Examinations time though some have completed, already enjoying their holidays... We thank God for the good care and pray for excellence in the exams.
Our mothers are also well and this time are more enthusiastic to serve the Lord ,more united, and happy to be part of Hope Builders. Mama Juliet is also getting along with the mothers' responsibilities in House 2 and we believe she'll be able to handle.
The management team is thankful for the support extended to enable them perform their duties and it's seeing a remarkable change in the Village's looks in the Houses, Children and the entire Home stead as a whole. With now a total of 13 houses, we've moved an extra mile in bringing Hope to the Vulnerable a midst challenges BUT the Lord has been and still on our side.
 The Village looks more beautiful with more Green cover, trees and flowers growing well, bringing a more conducive environment for everyone..........Thanks to everyone who makes sure that this happens.
We continue to pray for every Hope Builder for God's richest blessings........Ivan

another paper after lunch!!

ready for last first term days

another weekend to enjoy

football is better than watching screen

one day to have our holidays

we do our cores together

Mama Juliet and Brenda getting lunch ready

netball court getting neater

more greener than before

Joan,Winnie's grand at voh

beautiful flowery runway

v.o.h's view at the Great Stone

Easter Then Trinity Team at V.O.H

It was full of jovial celebrations here at Village of Hope during the Easter season, when we remember a King dying for his own servants, so that they can have eternal life.... Glory and Honor be to God.
We used Easter holiday sharing with mothers, Juliet, with the Children who also watched the whole Bible movie which left them meditating upon God's unending love for the people who respect him.
Of course there were lots of food and drinks in a cool musical environment as the kids enjoyed the tasty delicacies prepared by their mothers and some older Children,; It was all good and every one went back to School refreshed...Great thanks to everyone who made this possible.



After the Easter festivities, we were blessed to host Trinity Grammar School Team of 19 members from Australia on 30-03-16 led by Tom Matt and Vanessa, and we've had an absolutely  amazing time with these guys i must say..
On the first day , me and Robert shared with them about Hope Builders work and all its projects plus briefing them on how their visits are going to be in the various projects. In the afternoon, we went to Hope community High School for a soccer game which narrowly didn't go well in  favor of our visitors..;.
Next  day at V.O.H, team members were moved around the village getting a glance on how everything is running and they were amazed by the good work of Hope Builders of giving Hope to tomorrow's leaders,they did some painting of Houses' windows and doors.
The Team also payed a visit to Home of Hope and Youth Support Uganda, and were touched by the findings there......... , caring for children with multiple disabilities at H.O.H, and empowering young women plus skilling them at YSU 'this sounded so good to them .
On Sunday it was church in the morning at abundant church till noon ,after lunch it was interaction time with the children and mothers at the village with a soccer game between Trinity boys and and the Village's Hard Team after which we were given a handful of balls which our team was so thankful to.
Trinity Team had to leave to Rwanda yesterday and they promised to come back  probably next year...........We'll miss you Trinity , thanks for spending some good time with us.......... Ivan

From Village of Hope.........

To all our beloved supporters , kind greetings in the name of the King of Kings.
Village of Hope continues to be a center of Hope for ever an increasing number of  Vulnerable Children here in Uganda... Thanks to all HOPE BUILDERS, currently you cater for 113 children's Schooling needs  both residents and non residents of Village of Hope.
For Resident Children, you make sure they have Accommodation, Medical care, Food, Education, Clothing, Psycho-Social care and every thing possible for proper children's up bringing.

The 2016 Schooling term began, and every Hope Builders' Child is in School as i write this information, with all their Scholastic s needed this first term. Two of last year's candidate(senior4) children (WINNIE, JOHN), have this year joined Institutions in Hotel Management and Institutional Catering at YMCA for Winnie, and for John, he went in for Motor Vehicle Mechanics at Jinja Vocational Training Institute.
Other children went to their particular Schools in the Classes they were promoted to last year.

Still on children',we had 4 of our girls attending BAPTISM Classes at Abundant Church and they received Baptism in Lake Victoria with other church members plus one of  our Mothers (Mama Rose 1), we congratulate them for having taken the Best decision in their lives.

On the mothers' side, they are  well and going about with their responsibilities, except Mama Alice who had an eye infection and was treated. Mamas are so thankful for the support you extend to them and their Children... they always pray for you.

The Village is expanding and now we see the roofing of House 13, getting ready to receive more 8 vulnerable children and a widow or a single mother.
With the Village's farm, cow Horse calved down with a bouncing female calf and we believe the other expecting ones will do soon for increased milk production.
Farm attendant's house is now in a new look with a kitchen,bathroom and toilet  newly constructed  by the Jan Team form AUS.
Many Blessings to you ALL for making this Happen.

Jinja Christian School SENIORS

Steven in a hurry,as pre-schoolies look on

Winnie arrives at YMCA Hostel

House 13 ready for a roof

New born Calf and mother

Farm Homestead's New look

Ready for Baptism

Team 20 Day 15-16-17

Today we write the last blog for team 20.

Andrew leaves tomorrow and we leave a day later, so this will be the last of the ‘chronicles’!

Today started at 3am for some as they sat out in the living room listening to the thunder and the pounding rain.  Most of the rest of us heard it, but stayed in our beds.  Later morning saw the roads a bit wet but having been dry for so long, all the water had pretty much been soaked up or run off.

Breakfast was wisely held indoors, with some lovely pancakes and Mandazis.  Our bellies full we waited for the bus to take us to Home of Hope. We had a plan for half of us to work on a new drain so that water wouldn’t gather at the back of the home, while the rest spent time with the kids.

Some muscles were employed to dig and plenty of sweat flowed, but the drain was dug out and concreting, ricking and fitting grates could begin. By lunch tome we had done most of the work, so we were given a lunch of rice, beans and chapatti, after which we left the HopeBuilders builders to finish the task (after eating a HUGE lunch!).

We had another important task to complete.  We headed off in the bus to Bujagali falls (a spot on the Nile river), to witness and celebrate the baptism of one of our team. Ashlea decided to be baptized and we were only too happy to oblige!! J

After sharing a testimony and hearing messages from her grandparents and mum, Damain, Ashlea and Andrew got into the Nile, and Ashlea went under. As she got out, we gathered around her as a team and prayed prayers of thanks for her. 

He rest of the afternoon was spent either up at Village of Hope, or doing craft with the local kids in Suubi.

A great meal of fried chicken and chips ended out our day.

From here we have a few tasks left: An afternoon in town to collect our last minute souvenirs, our paintings and probably get a milkshake or two.

Then we have a raging farewell planned at Village of Hope roasting a pig and a goat to celebrate.  The VoH kids have been practicing all week for a performance that they have planned for us, and it sounds great!!!

Then it’s a super early start on Sunday for the airport to Kenya. Time to hunt out the local wildlife!!

It’s been a great time and we have achieved much, as well as learned a lot.

We appreciate your prayers, and support and look forward to telling many of you in our own words all we’ve experienced!!

- Andrew

Home of Hope kids are so cute!

Add caption

The digging begins..

Brick passing Uganda style

Ready to mix cement - by hand!

Digging our second trench

Good looking results

Straight as a.... well straight anyway!

Damian sharing about baptism

And under she goes!!!

Praying as a team - with local onlookers!