A life well-lived

In a country with an average life expectancy of 63-years, we are so thankful to have known and loved Ajuma all the way up to the beautiful age of 80.

She passed away last month in her home town of Nakafunyu Village, located in the Bugiri District of Eastern Uganda.

At the time of her passing, she had two loving sponsors who supported her all the way to the end.

Although heart failure was the immediate cause of her death, the long term cause was her battle with HIV/Aids.

ROWAN was able to supply her with anti-retroviral treatment (the standard for HIV treatment), and we were heartbroken to find out she had become terminally ill. She received excellent palliative care in the days leading up to her last breath. The medical workers had done their best  in managing her condition although their efforts ended in vain. Ajuma passed away in her family home, surrounded by loved ones:  5 adult children (2 girls and 3 boys).

They were devastated to lose their mother, an incredible woman and huge part of our community. Uganda-based ROWAN staff said,

“Ajuma will be remembered as a faithful woman who loved the Lord. She should be an inspiration and legacy for those whom she loved and related with.”

Her funeral was filled with friends, family, mourners, and ROWAN staff who contributed to the food to share with everyone as they poured out their memories, tears, and stories.

As we at ROWAN mourn the loss of our dear friend and jajja (grandma), we celebrate the time we had with her. It was a joy to help her through her medical needs and spreading hope in the name of Jesus! Thank you especially to Ajuma’s sponsors, for your love and support for her. You loved her tangibly on the ground, providing real care and support. You have been so committed and she was thankful for you every day.

KELSEY’S BIRTHDAY WISH

As ROWAN Co-founder Kelsey Hargadine’s 40th birthday approaches, she’s spent some time reflecting on what she wants her birthday to be about this year.

It would be her dream come true to see 40 new sponsors join the ROWAN family —  a family of people making a difference from where they’re at with what they’ve got.

There are so many widows & orphans needing a sponsor, now more than ever. When you sponsor an orphan in Uganda, you provide for them 6 essential ways that no person should go without.

Look through our sponsorship page!

Whose story stands out to you?

Whose sweet smile gets stuck in your heart and mind?

Who will you help?

And who can you invite to join you in making a difference in this world?

The children were home the first week of June so we organized a holiday program with food, dancing, health checks, and FUN!

The boy with two plates of rice said “I can’t remember the last time I had rice.” Well, we made sure he got two helpings!

Rahim is a 12-year-old orphan who has 7 siblings and 3 relatives making 12 in the household. All being raised by his mother who works to feed them and take care of other basic needs by working as a laborer in other’s gardens. They live in a house with a leaky roof and weak walls. His mother does not always make enough for food and he goes to school hungry and tired. He wants to attend school and they do not always have enough for the school fees. Yet in his own words, this is his hope, “But all my trust is in Lord who made me and I keep comforting myself to be strong so that I can study hard for a successful future such that I can get a good job to support my family.”

A sponsorship by you will change this young boy’s life.

To sponsor, click below!

Zaina is a 13-year-old orphan in a family of 10 being raised by a struggling mother who works their own garden before going out to find work in other gardens to provide money for the family. She gets little money for the work, so Zaina goes to school hungry, which she says leaves her stressed and dozing in school, making learning hard. When they cannot buy new books for school she finds it hard to stay motivated in her learning.  Her favorite foods are potatoes and beans; her favorite color, “I love white because it resembles milk!”

When their home became a hazard, ROWAN stepped in to build them a new one. Zaina wants you to know that she is happy about the new house.

Let’s help support Zaina when her mother is unable to!

Hello, I am Annette Nelson and I am excited to be a part of the ROWAN family. Orphans and Widows have always been on my heart and I am glad to be able to help in my way. I have been hired to do some of the office work for Kelsey to free her up to promote ROWAN’s work. So you may hear from me from time to time. I look forward to getting to know the other members of this family and helping minister to others. If you need anything reach out to me atadmin@loverowan.com

This month we celebrate all the work ROWAN is doing in the Hope Clinic and Maternity Center! 

In the course of the Hope Clinic’s continued services, there are a few items we would like to highlight with the use of the clinic. 

• 1196 patients were treated for various conditions 
• 1136 children were provided with deworming tablets as a measure aimed at digestive health improvement.
• New employees were hired as senior staff with the intention of reinforcing service delivery at the medical facility.
  • Sarah Akello was employed for service as a clinical officer besides being entrusted with the leadership of the medical center. 
  • Jeremiah Nkayimbi was recruited to serve as a radiographer.
• The new radiographer enabled the revival of ultrasound machine services which have been strategic in boosting medical intervention processes involving some patients. The resumption of scanning operations has enhanced public interest and raised the demand for healthcare services by various patients in Mawanga and the surrounding communities. At least 46 cases have benefited from scanning services since ultra-scan services resumed last November.

Join us as we thank and Praise the Lord for all that has been provided and the service He has entrusted to us. To be a part of this amazing work, give by clicking on the link below.

Kelsey Hargadine Calls You to DREAM on the Isn’t It Lovely Podcast

ROWAN’s co-founder recently joined podcast hosts Rachel Gage and Tracy Kirby on an episode of Isn’t It Lovely entitled “Isn’t It Lovely to Protect Your ‘Yes’?”

Throughout the episode, Kelsey talks dreams, callings, and risk on an episode you can’t miss! We love this quote:

“No, not everyone is called to Africa, but everyone has an Africa in their life.”

Kelsey discusses practical steps to listen and eliminate the noise and distractions in our lives and how, in doing so, we are intentional in what we let into our minds and clear the way to be actively hearing from God. She reminds listeners that there are dreams that they have from God that they were designed and created to say “YES!” to.

Here’s what to do next to uncover your zealous yes:

· Listen on Spotify or on Apple Music

· Read the blog from Isn’t It Lovely about this episode

If you listened to the episode, tell us in the comments what spoke to your heart the most!