Partnership News

New Kumi Hospital

Compassionate Fund

saves Okuku’s life

(Page 8)

100 families

affected by flooding

are helped

209 people trained

in disaster risk

management

Church leadership

development in

action

Plus….

Issue 59, Winter 2015

The sights and sounds of the past two weeks will stay with me for many years. My first trip to Teso (in fact, my first trip to Africa!), was filled will experiences that have shaped my thinking about the world and my understanding about how God has called us to impact our world for Him.

I have seen children in rags and water being collected from road-side puddles, but I’ve also seen teenagers educated and businesses started. I have seen how people live with poverty, and how they aspire to rise from the cycle of dependency. I have seen joy and peace in the middle of despairing situations. I now have first-hand examples of what it really means to know that the ‘joy of the Lord is our strength’: people who will remain strong in Christ despite difficult circumstances.

And, right at the heart of all this I have seen the love of God and the work of the church in action. I have come away from Teso feeling very privileged to be part of the world-wide family of God, who support each other in our times of trouble. Many of you reading this will have given to the projects that I have now seen. You, too, are part of this world-wide family. You are making a difference!

I have heard it said that ‘you can take a man out of Africa, but you cannot take Africa out of a man’. The people of Teso are now part of my experience. I have had the privilege of sharing just a few days with them, but they are now part of who I am. They have left an impact on me that will continue. And, I pray that we, as TDT, will continue to have a lasting impact in Teso as we give and support them as part of the global Church of Christ!

James

Flood Relief Page 5

PAG Pastor Training

Page 19 Community Disaster Management

Page 10 Kumi Hospital Compassionate Fund

Page 8

PLUS NEWS & UPDATES

From the editor In this edition

In October flooding hit the Amuria area of Teso, affecting about 30,000 people. Months of heavy rain left crops ruined and over 300 homes have been damaged. One of the initial reports from our

partners stated…

This water logging has resulted in health problems amongst the communities. Notably dysentery and fever is on rise due contaminated water sources and excessive cold conditions. The major threat is food insecurity as most crops grown in these areas have been destroyed by water logging. Many houses have fallen down, and not their owners have no shelters which have caused hardship .

When we heard about this TDT immediately began to work with our partners to provide emergency

relief. An appeal for £6500 was launched. TDT sent an initial £2000 from our emergency reserves fund, and a further £3000 in November from a grant made by the Souter Foundation

Pentecostal Assemblies of God (Katakwi) organised the assessment of individual needs and used the finance to distribute tarpaulins, food and water-purifying tablets. We were able to support over 200 families by giving them a dry place to sleep or dry-out crops, safe water and emergency food. Below is a very short extract from their report following the distribution:

The tarpaulins are being used by the community for drying remaining crop. At night they put on the wet floor before making the beds. Water purifiers are used for ensuring clean drinking water since most water sources and spring wells have been contaminated.

We want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Souter and all the individuals who gave to this.

Flood Relief

A water logged garden

of potatoes and ground

nuts. The owner

standing is wondering

what next in life.

Flood relief being distributed

3

Revival Time Ministries run literacy classes, skills training and micro-credit programmes in Wera and Abarilela as a holistic approach to the gospel. The aims of these projects are to address the issue of poverty and its related components of illiteracy, lack of opportunities and lack of entrepreneurship skills.

TDT has been financing these projects, which includes the salary

for the project leader (Sylvia Anyango), rent for the training venues, training materials and transport.

The funding has enabled:

61 people to borrow money for agricultural activities

45 women currently learning tailoring skills

87 literacy classes operating in the area

362 goats being used to

increase livestock numbers.

Community Projects

4

St Peter’s Church, Ruddington, has been partnering with the Ngora Parents’ School in Teso for many years. The school was set-up as a day-school, to provide the best value education in the area and avoid unnecessary boarding costs being met by local families. The school has become so popular in recent years that children have been walking many miles from outlying villages each day. To help with this the school decided to allow some students to board. St Peter’s Church, with the support of TDT and a grant by the British and Foreign Schools Society, began an ambitious project to erect purpose built sleeping accommodation for the girls and work commenced in August and should be completed very soon!

New School Dormitory

Sylvia

Water

New Wells in 2014

During 2014 the PAG Soroti and PAG Kumi have been building wells at Kodike, Ariet, Omirion, Akuya, Kachorombo and Kasilo. Another well was also started but hit hard rock during the excavation process, making the site unviable.

The process of building a well is very much a community activity. To create a spirit of ownership

they are expected to provide locally available materials such as sand, bricks and hard-core. They also allocate a piece of land where the well is to be located.

Our PAG partners who are leading these water projects comment….. In a special way we would like to thank TDT for their continuous love and support to the people of Teso in providing safe and clean water. We trust that the hand of the Almighty God will rest upon all of you ever! As a church, we continue to pray with our Partners in TDT, UK that God will use the least of pounds that they give generously to touch and save the lives of the community members through the provision of safe and clean water!

Akuya well being constructed

Ariet Well Kodike Well

5

Kumi Hospital Compassionate Fund

Kumi Hospital is a not-for-profit hospital with 300 beds, 7 doctors, 76 nurses and midwives and 4 main operating theatres. It serves about 1 million people within a 50km radius.

Only about 30% of the population have any disposable income to pay for even the cheapest care provided at Kumi. Rather, they will seek treatment from traditional healers. It is estimated that at least four people die every month at Kumi Hospital because they cannot afford a treatment. One member of staff commented that “A child should not die just because they break their arm.”

The compassionate fund was set up to enable the hospital to treat the poor – allocating an average of £12.50 per patient. This small amount is enough to provide emergency treatment and save lives.

TDT is passionate about making this project sustainable through developing a network of people in the UK who will give to this regularly, becoming Kumi Compassionate Partners. Donations , small our large, can be made by standing order or cheque – remember just £12.50 will enable the hospital to provide emergency treatment and save lives! Please email info@teso.org.uk for more information about how to get involved.

Happy family when they are told that the young boy can receive free treatment from the Compassionate Fund

Operation at Kumi Hospital being funded by the Compassionate Fund

6

How the Compassionate Fund saved a life…

Okuku John Michael is a 6 month old baby boy from Oseera Aduuka Ongino. While being fed breakfast by his mother, Okuku choked on his rice and fish and inhaled some of the food into his lungs, including a fish bone.

Okuku began coughing and had serious breathing difficulties. He was rushed to Kumi Hospital and given treatment which stabilised him for an hour. His condition then worsened and the doctor referred him to Mbale Hospital (55km away) to see the ENT surgeon. He was driven immediately to Mbale using the Kumi Hospital vehicle and the fishbone was removed from his

lung. Okuku is now fully recovered.

The Kumi Hospital Compassionate Fund paid 15,000 UGX consultation fees and 86,000 UGX transport fees, £25 in total, and guaranteed the surgeon’s fee. Okuku’s parents sold their cow and paid the 300,000 UGX surgeon’s fee at the government Mbale Regional Hospital, the cost of an emergency procedure.

The Kumi Hospital Compassionate Fund impressed that petty cash reserve was immediately available to both fund and guarantee the emergency transport and treatment. Okuku would have died without this cash being available.

7

Community Skills

Background to Project for Akuoro Skills Strengthening (PASS)

A PAG Kumi Project for Skills Strengthening (PASS) is being implemented in Akuoro Parish, Bukedea Sub County, with support from Teso Development Trust (TDT) UK.

The prevailing needs of this area include

Periodic floods, prolonged drought and climate changes that has long increased the vulnerability and the needs of the population. The impact of these challenges has continued to affect the development of the area and for the previous two years, the people have not had any reasonable crop harvest due to the prolonged drought conditions. This has left the communities in a situation of hopelessness and in dire need for support.

The people in the area have limited knowledge and skills on modern farming practices and environmental conservation. As a result, some of the locally available resources like land, wetlands and natural forest cover (thickets) have been cleared for settlement, cultivation and as sources for fuel wood for cooking. These have all combined to contribute drastically

to soil degradation, low crop yields, low household incomes and unreliable weather patterns. The population also has limited skills on mobilisation and management of savings, group dynamics, diversification of agriculture, market information analysis and Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR).

Aim of the PASS Project

The aim of the project is to improve and strengthen the skills of the community members on modern agricultural practices, group dynamics, Village Savings and Loan Associations, enterprise/IGA development and community managed disaster risk reduction. This is done through mobilising 180 community members into 6 Self Help Groups and providing revolving funds to support Income Generating Activities.

Training session on Disaster Risk

Reduction

8

Progress of the PASS Project

So far the PASS Project has:

6 Self Help Groups established and covering all the villages of Akuoro Parish, with 152 active participants.

209 participants (142 females and 67 males) trained on Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR), Group dynamics, record keeping, Income Generating Activities (IGAs), enterprise development and VSLA in May, 2014.

The participants in the Self Help Groups have already came up with a Hazard mitigation and prevention action plan that they promised to fulfill with immediate effect. They said this would help them mitigate the socio-economic factors such as drought, floods, over reliance on rain fed subsistence agriculture and low levels of incomes in the households among other factors. This has resulted in improved farming methods, people using more energy efficient stoves, tree planting and a number of small businesses being started (e.g. chicken rearing).

During a follow up visit after the training it was noted that the community members were very enthusiastic. They said the project

was empowering and they promised to work hard to better their lives and community. One farmer had planted and harvested over 200 pumpkins and was already generating income from the harvest. Another participant said: “I am not educated but the trainings we have received through this project have helped me improve on my standard of living”.

Way forward

PAG are now planning to organise refresher training and develop Village Savings and Loans Associations to further support Income Generating Activities. To do this they are looking for further support from TDT of around £2500.

Energy saving stove

9

You could support a family start

their own business …. Contact

us now to find out more!

Village Savings & Loans

Soroti Womens Co-operative Union Limited (SOWCUL) trains and oversees Village Savings and Loans associations in Teso. These schemes encourage members of local communities to form a group that saves into one ‘pot’ of money. From that ‘pot’ they are then able to borrow funds to help them set up ‘income-generating’ activities, such as small businesses, or other needs. TDT supported SOWCUL by sending £2453. Look at the stories on this page to see the difference it has made!

Our thanks also goes to Margaret Amongin, who is doing a wonderful job in Teso – organising and supervising 37 of these groups!

Members of Moruapesur Market with Margaret Amongin the Managing Director of SOWCUL

Egweu’s life had become very hard for him in a Teso Town. He could not afford rent and food. Before joining Moruapesur VSLA he was thinking of going back to his village to become a peasant farmer. He used his savings to open up this stall in Moruapesur market. He now sleeps in his stalls and has portioned the front is where he sells from. Egweu hopes to increase his stock as well as to buy a plot to build his shop in the near future.

Hellen Amucu used her VSLA Savings to buy 2 acres of land in her village. She is now an empowered woman because she owns land, which is usually owned by men. According to Iteso culture women do not own land because they are expected to get married. She sits with her head high because she is equal to a man.

10

UK News

Annual General Meeting

On Saturday 4th October TDT supporters and the committee gathered for our Annual General Meeting at ‘The Hermitage’ in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire. It was great to hear some inspiring reports from Martin and Elaine Harrison on the work of Kumi Hospital, and Canon & Mrs Wheatley-Price about the Kumam Bible Translation: recognising again the significant impact of TDT on the ground in Teso. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the past year.

Canon & Mrs Wheat-

ley-Price at AGM

Jim and Janet Sampson undertook a gruelling 16 mile sponsored walk along with 700 other in Romsey, raising about £630. This is going toward fitting out the new School at Takarmiam.

Bournemouth Deanery has been a longstanding and major partner with TDT for many years. They continued to develop their support for TDT recently by raising £400 for Bibles at their Mission Day in October!

It was a privilege for David Watts to represent us at St Andrew’s Church, Ilford, along with Maggie. There was great enthusiasm as David shared with the church about some of our projects. The Church has a ‘relief committee’ and gave a very generous donation to us, which was allocated to the recent flood appeal.

Thank-you to everyone who has

partnered with us by raising funds or

making personal donations! Together

we make a huge difference in Teso!

11

In Service Bible School

The In Service Bible School (IBS) is a programme run by the Pentecostal Theological College (P.T.C), Mbale, and has a vision is “to equip Christian leaders in the works of service in the different capacities within the church.” The aim of the IBS is to develop dynamic ministers who are “propelled by sound doctrines and practices , that arise from clear understanding and application of God’s word” who go on to see their communities impacted and transformed through church ministries.

The programme focusses on training pastors, evangelists and all Christian leaders who are unable to afford to go to Bible Schools. The Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) sees this training as essential to their overall vision of building viable and healthy congregations and communities.

Today the IBS training in the Katakwi area has two training centres located in Katakwi PAG Town Church and Amuria Town Church. So far 32 students from different denomination in the Katakwi area have graduated and 37 are currently enrolled.

The IBS uses a systematic approach to the study of God’s word and stresses the necessity of a “personal experience of the fullness’ of the Holy Spirit for the equipping of the ministry of God”. The year long training is delivered in 3 blocks of teaching, lasting one month each, and cover six modules at a time. The training sessions use a variety of teaching methods including lectures, group discussion, self-guided discovery and question and answers sessions. The students are required to undertake course assignments, tests and final exams on each topic.

12

An exciting element to the vision of the IBS is that each participant returns to engage their fellow church leaders in the same training: leaders training others and multiplying the process.

Upon completion of this course / training students should be able:

To demonstrate from scriptures the importance of expository teaching and preaching of the word of God.

To practically train church leaders in the basic principles and methods of teaching and preaching.

To emphasis the importance of spiritual leadership.

To help leaders understand that learning really involves life change.

To practically equip church leaders with “sound doctrine so as to defend the church from heresy within and outside the church”.

There are currently eight members of the teaching staff, led by the principle Rev. Eselu George William. They teach a variety of modules including an Introduction to Bible Survey, Bible doctrines, Church history, Biblical counseling, Church growth, preaching and pastoral work.

The latest report from the In Service Bible School concludes with this message: As education department we will continue praying for more blessings from above hoping that IBS will continue to grow as the Lord opens the gates of heaven and help us overcome all the challenges and uplift IBS programs as we are continuing and blessing to our Donor Teso Development Trust UK Amen.

TDT is committed to continuing our support for ministry training with both the Pentecostal Assemblies of God and the Church of Uganda. There are many church leaders in Teso who are wanting to be more fully equipped for their roles, but cannot afford the training. Could you, or your church, support the IBS or other leadership training projects to help them?

13

Team Visit 2014

14

Wow! What a trip to Teso! Andrew

& Louise Third, Christine Moyes &

James Seager flew off from

Heathrow on 26th November and

embarked on a two week whistle-

stop tour of the projects you

support. There were planning

meetings with church leaders and

development workers, visits to

projects, churches, hospitals and

shallow wells.

There’s too much to write, but here

are a few things that stick out:

The desperate need for Christian

books, especially those on

leadership, worship and African

church history. (The ‘library’ at

the Soroti Lay Readyers Centre,

had fewer books than many UK

church leaders have in their

office.)

The pool where the people of

Agama used to get their water

before a shallow well was

installed recently by TDT.

Being sung to by 100’s of children

at Peace Pentecostal School,

Kapir, in appreciation of TDT.

Seeing one young girl walk with

her new artificial legs, provided

through TDT’s Kumi Hospital

Compassionate Fund.

Get Involved

15

As always we have come away with

a list of many development projects

that need more partners to join

with us, financially. More water

projects are needed, better

education, stronger health care and

more effective agriculture. Some of

these projects cost £1000’s, some

just £200.

But, equally important, we have

learned more about the power of

encouragement. Simply being there,

to encourage, shows us all that we

are not alone in the Church. People

who are prepared to go can bring

such encouragement, and revitalise

ministries and projects. At TDT we

are looking at the possibility of

arranging short-term mission trips,

so others can be part of this. There

are opportunities to go and support

ministry training, youth & schools

work, sports ministry and health

projects.

Please keep praying and supporting!

And…. If you want to know more

about how TDT can support you or

your church in making a difference

through practical projects or short-

term missions please get in touch!

As an individual: There are always

more request for financial support

than TDT is able to meet. Requests

for help vary from relief, community

development projects, clean water,

education and Christian ministry

training. By giving a little to TDT you

can join with hundreds of others who

believe that when many give a little it

can go a long way. If you would like to

give a regular or one-off gift please

complete the ‘response sheet’

included with this news letter.

You may also like to consider

becoming a TDT local Ambassador.

We can support you in spreading the

word about TDT.

As a Church or organisation: We can

match you to a practical project that

is right for you! We are currently

looking for churches or organisations

that are interested in sponsoring the

following projects:

Village Savings And Loans

Associations, Food Security projects,

Skills Training for Orphans and

Vulnerable Children, Water Boreholes

and Wells.

Management Committee Chairman Jim Sampson 2 Homefield, Cupernham Green Romsey, Hampshire SO51 7WG 01794 514722 jimandjanet@talktalk.net Hon Treasurer Andrew Third Old Garth, 1 Moor Lane Gotham, Nottingham NG11 0LH 0115 983 1205 Anrew.home@integracommunications.co.uk

Hon Secretary Clement Dixon 64 Musters Road, Ruddington Nottinghamshire NG11 6HZ 0115 921 1565 clement.dixon@ntlworld.com Projects and Fundraising Dave Watts 24 Sandhurst Avenue, Stourbridge West Midlands DY9 0XL 01384 376494 david@drwatts.co.uk Dr Hugh Mason Catherine Emaru Florence Odeke Philip Good Dr Peter Walker Lucy Hefford Christine Moyes Dr Frank Guinness Rev Robert de Berry

Contact Us…. For more information about our projects or how you can partner with us please contact

James Seager - TDT Coordinator

01482 826731 / 07446 898149

16 Heatherwood Court, Bransholme, Hull. HU7 4JR info@teso.org.uk/ jamess.tdt@gmail.com

A Registered Charity 1005139 HMRC number XN84557

www.teso.org.uk