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:
What is going on with the mining process? Good News to Report: The Attorney General has enforced a law that before a mining license can be issued to the mining company, they MUST show a Resettlement Action Plan (which they have yet to reveal), AND fully compensate every household affected by the mining prior to obtaining the license! This is in direct support of the Surface Land Agreement our communities signed (details in October 2023 post).
This has caused a huge standstill and frustration for the mining company, who assumed they could move forward without those actions in place. Now, we wait and see what the mining company presents in their resettlement plan Draft.
What have the Christmas funds supported this year?
The funds have secured our legal team for 2023, as well as supported large meetings with key stakeholders and leaders in the government to ensure the rights of the people are prioritized.
Our legal team is being threatened. Our founder, Pastor Paul, is being threatened. But every time I speak with them, they are not shaken. They are hopeful in God’s protection and see His miracles every day. If you would like to join our Intercessory Prayer Network, please email info@loverowan.com to sign up.
What’s the Biggest Prayer Request?
We pray we can see every woman and child sponsored to support them in this time of trial. We continue to pursue our mission and vision to see that
**Every widow a leader and Every orphan a beloved child.**
ROWAN is working with our legal team to execute a comprehensive empowerment plan that will educate all the people on their land rights, what all is included in the Surface Rights Agreement, and empower them to make their best decisions as their representatives. This will include face to face weekly meetings from now through December, radio talk shows, involving high level leaders in government with the people, and ensuring every person knows their rights as land owners.
ROWAN is purposefully not getting loud and active outside Uganda, because we know and believe that the strongest voice in this fight is the voice of the people. We give everything we can to empower them to speak up for their lives, land and freedom.
Will it be easy? Absolutely not.
Do we know the outcome will be best for our people? No we don’t.
Will we have to be displaced and lose all of our land? We don’t know.
But what we DO know, is that God is with us. And He is going to protect His people. And we as an organization Dare to Hope that our God is able. Standing with ROWAN is standing with every widow, no matter what, until the end.
What do we need? Join our prayer team. Email info@loverowan.com and ask to be added to prayer team. Weekly emails sent out on how to best pray for this threat.
As you have stood by us during this unforeseen mining crisis in our region, I wanted to give you a real-time update on what ROWAN is doing to actively protect and fight for the rights of not only our own beneficiaries, but over 2 MILLION affected by this project.
For the past month, we as ROWAN, along with the support and guidance of the local lawyers out of Kampala have guided negotiations between the mining company and the people.
What are we negotiating?
As the mining company uses their exploratory license to find minerals in our region, their next goal would be to get a signed MOU from individual land owners to obtain a mining license. Initially this MOU was found to be extremely shallow, with zero interest in the peoples’ rights and need for compensation. The mining company had a plan to divide and conquer in order to obtain such signatures.
Thankfully, through the collaborative efforts of our ROWAN staff and lawyer team, we educated the community to stand together as one. The community is now working in unity across 3 Districts!
Our lawyers are actively visiting the affected communities and educating people on their rights. They are guiding our steps and standing in the gap between the government, mining company, and the PAPs (Project Affected Persons.)
It is a long road ahead, but we are hopeful in God’s protection and provision of His children.
When you stand with ROWAN, you are not only supporting the orphans and widows in our program, but you are supporting our advocacy efforts. It is no surprise to our God that we are located at the heart of this crisis, and we have unshakeable faith that God will show us the opportunity to impact millions for His Kingdom! What an honor.
The most important thing right now is to intercede for the ministry and those on the front lines of this effort.
As you have stood by us during this unforeseen mining crisis that has entered our region, I wanted to give you a real time update on what ROWAN is doing to actively protect and fight for the rights not only our beneficiaries, but over 2 MILLION affected by this project.
For the past month, we as ROWAN, along with the support and guidance of the local lawyers out of Kampala have guided negotiations between the mining company and the people.
What are we negotiating?
As the mining company uses their exploratory license to find minerals in our region, their next goal would be to get a signed MOU from individual land owners to obtain a mining license. Initially this MOU was found to be extremely shallow, with zero interest in the peoples’ rights and need for compensation. The mining company had a plan to divide and conquer in order to obtain such signatures.
Thankfully, through the collaborative efforts of our ROWAN staff and lawyer team, we educated the community to stand together as one. The community is now working in unity across 3 Districts!
Our lawyers are actively visiting the affected communities and educating people on their rights. They are guiding our steps and standing in the gap between the government, mining company, and the PAPs (Project Affected Persons.)
It is a long road ahead, but we are hopeful in God’s protection and provision of His children.
When you stand with ROWAN, you are not only supporting the orphans and widows in our program, but you are supporting our advocacy efforts. It is no surprise to our God that we are located at the heart of this crisis, and we have unshakeable faith that God will show us the opportunity to impact millions for His Kingdom! What an honor.
The most important thing right now is to intercede for the ministry and those on the front lines of this effort.
Watch this Crucial video (about 7 minutes) to meet our lawyers and real time updates from Uganda.
3 prayer prompts for when you don’t know how to pray
Sometimes, an obstacle looms so large in your life that it’s hard to see through it or around it. Your own personal Goliath. When that happens, it can be difficult to find the words to pray. If that sounds familiar, we invite you to fall back on these 3 simple prayer requests:
1. Peace.
2. Protection.
3. Provision.
How to pray for ROWAN as we face a mining crisis in Uganda
If you haven’t heard of the mining situation that threatens the land and lives of the widows and orphans we serve in rural Uganda, catch up on the story here. With those same 3 prayer prompts in mind, we ask that you join us in praying for ROWAN:
1. Peace
ROWAN is paying for the best local lawyers to represent 70,000 people who will be displaced from mining. Pray for peace in their hearts that they are cared for and valued.
2. Protection
Please pray for Pastor Paul and his family, who face a lot of pressure, threats, and intimidation as they stand in the gap and advocate for our widows and orphans. Pray also that ROWAN as an organization would be protected so that we can continue to do God’s work in this region.
3. Provision
Join us in knocking down God’s door as we pray for provision. This is both in terms of finances as well as the right people to lead ROWAN into this season of advocacy.
When prayer leads to action
As overwhelming as this feels, we know that these widows and orphans need our steadfast support now more than ever. There will be a time when we need to fundraise specifically for lawyer fees, advocacy campaign costs, and other fees to legally protect our people. Until then, 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.
Look through our sponsorship page and get involved today!
Sometimes, an obstacle looms so large in your life that it’s hard to see through or around it.
Have you ever been there? You’re staring up at your own personal Goliath, speechless, prayerless, and breathless. If you feel that way, we invite you to fall back on these 3 simple prayer requests:
Peace
ROWAN is paying for the best local lawyers to represent 70,000 people who will be displaced from mining. Pray for peace in their hearts that they are cared for and valued.
Protection
Please pray for Pastor Paul and his family, who face a lot of pressure, threats, and intimidation as they stand in the gap and advocate for our widows and orphans. Pray also that ROWAN as an organization would be protected so that we can continue to do God’s work in this region.
Provision
Join us in knocking down God’s door as we pray for provision. This is both in terms of finances as well as the right people to lead ROWAN into this season of advocacy.
