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College Students Leave for the Village

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Early (eeeaaarrrrrly) this coming Sunday morning (12:01 am, to be exact), a team of college students and their leaders will begin their trek over to the ROWAN village in Uganda.

Remember when we posted about a Hepatitis outbreak in our community? Several of you stepped up to help – THANK YOU. You helped get the ball rolling and made a serious dent in protecting our community from this disease!

In addition, around that same time, the team members going on this trip were trying to figure out what their project would be while in Uganda. Some of the team members are excited returners whereas other will be in Uganda for their very first time. When asked if they would be willing to help cover the cost of testing, vaccinating, and providing medication for those who’ve been infected, their response was that they would be happy to help… that they see this as “a life or death situation.” In addition, they shared on their fundraising page that they see this as:

“a HUGE opportunity to potentially save hundreds of lives. Hepatitis B has spread through the region, and there is no organization besides ROWAN who will test, treat and vaccinate the community.”

Here’s where we’re at as of right now:
–  So far, through Christian Union, this incredible team of students has rallied together to raise $4,000.
–  Solibad, our partner who previously helped us build wells in the village to give our people access to clean, sustainable water, generously donated $1,000 to help with testing and vaccinating.
–  We still need $1,000 more to cover the rest the costs to get the rest of our incredible ROWAN orphans and widows covered so that they will be safe, healthy, and fearless.
Would you consider stepping in to help these students complete their fundraising for this life-or-death project?

FOLLOW THIS LINK
to help the Christian Union students from schools like Penn, Harvard, Columbia and Cornell meet their fundraising goal and to ensure that our community NEVER has to live in fear of this terrible virus ever again.

 
More about Christian Union:
Christian Union seeks a spiritually vibrant nation marked by Christian values permeating every corner of society. They develop and connect transformative Christian leaders, focusing specifically on developing Christian leaders at some of America’s most influential universities.
More about Solibad:
Solibad exists “to bring together the badminton community to collect funds in order to help projects involving children in different parts of the planet. We are keen on helping small scale projects initiated by locals or by ourselves. We take action seriously but with humility and without being condescending, by using the time and resources donated by individuals or groups willing to join our cause. We ask everyone to put their skills, enthusiasm, financial help and/or his time for the causes and projects that we support.” Follow this link to learn more about Solibad!
A HUGE thank you to Christian Union and Solibad, organizations made up of some of the most compassionate and generous folks on the planet. Thank you for stepping into the gap for our orphans and widows, for seeing them, and for making a difference.

Hepatitis Outbreak – Please Help!

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DONATE HERE

The Mayo Clinic describes Hepatitis B as “a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). For some people, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, meaning it lasts more than six months. Having chronic hepatitis B increases your risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis — a condition that permanently scars the liver.”

We need to test and vaccinate all ROWAN members immediately, as this is highly contagious and is going around the village. One family is already infected, and we want to stop this before it spreads!

Vaccinations for Ugandans, which happen normally in government facilities, include tuberculosis, diphtheria, polio, tetanus, and whooping cough. The Hepatitis vaccine wasn’t added until recently, so many of our adults are especially at risk because they weren’t immunized as children.
We desperately need to test all and treat those who may have it within the month.
Please join us in praying for our village for complete healing as well as relief from some of these awful symptoms! According to the Mayo Clinic, people with Hepatitis B experience very uncomfortable symptoms, including:
– abdominal pain               – joint pain               – loss of appetite               – nausea and vomiting
– dark urine              – fever              – weakness and fatigue              – jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)

DONATE HERE

It will cost $15-16 per person to have everyone tested and vaccinated for Hepatitis B. So, for our village of 400 people, we must raise a little over $6,000.
We implore you to share this need with your friends as well as to consider partnering with us yourself in order to prevent the further spread of this ugly virus. Our community is especially at risk since many of our members suffer from HIV/AIDS and already have a compromised immune system.

DONATE HERE

R&R for ROWAN Staff

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Recently, the ROWAN community decided to start 2018 off right:

together.

The local ROWAN Staff Members work tirelessly throughout the year to help others, ensure needs are met, and to fill in any gaps when something needs to get done.

They are the hands and feet on the ground with those who grieve, grow, and overcome. Without engaging in healthy self care practices, this life of service can become burdensome. However, we take great care—with a proactive rather than reactive approach—to ensure that our staff is equipped and cared for physically, emotionally, and spiritually, so that they can continue to serve selflessly while maintaining their best and healthiest lives.

Over the course of three nights away from the village, our primary goal was to empower and encourage local staff.

We focused on building them up spiritually and as well as with practical skills to help them succeed—involving anything from how to write formal reports to learning more effective communication strategies. We had training that increased their passion for our pillars of focus: education, medical treatment, entrepreneurship, and emergencies—all with the spiritual element to remind them of the bigger reason and core purpose of what they do! Our staff especially enjoyed participating in team bonding activities as well as receiving individual encouragement as they prepare for the big year ahead. Board Member David Wafula commented on the retreat, sharing that his most pressing goal for this sacred time was to “minister HOPE!” How precious and powerful it is that this rest and restoration happens best in the context of community. Our prayer for all of our readers, sponsors, donors, and followers is that you, too, find time to rest and be refreshed within a community that reminds you of your infinite worth, dignity, and purpose.
Please keep our local staff in your prayers this year!

Government Update – What the Amendment Means to Ugandans

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At 73 years old, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was only two years away from the constitutional age limit to serve as president. However, he just signed into law a new amendment, which abolishes the age limit, thereby allowing him to extend his presidency.

Since the beginning of his presidency, Uganda has seen many notable improvements. In addition to greater relative stability, his leadership has allowed for increased economic growth decreased HIV/AIDS, as much of his programming has prioritized education and prevention of the disease.

President Museveni came to power through a coup in 1986, and under his government, the democracy was born in 1996. Under the constitution of the new government, presidential term limits were set at two terms of five years each. However, at the start of his second term in office in 2001, strides were taken to do away with the two-term limit, which would allow Museveni to re-run for the presidential election in 2006. These efforts were successful, and Museveni won yet another election by a landslide, repeating his victories in 2011 and 2016.
During his current term, the threat to President Museveni’s power was no longer term limits, but rather the age limit set in the constitution, declaring that citizens under the age of 35 or over the age of 75 cannot hold the presidential office. This would disqualify the 73-year-old president from further re-election. So, on December 27, 2017, he passed a law, amending the constitution to abolish the age cap.
Although President Museveni’s efforts and programs have greatly improved Uganda, he has been Uganda’s only president. His refusal to relinquish his power for a second time highlights a major concern for many Ugandans, as Uganda has never seen a peaceful transfer of power since declaring its independence from Great Britain.
To learn more, follow this link to read an article published by Al Jazeera, a major global news organization, concerning this new development in Ugandan government. According to MP Robert Kyagulanyi (better known by fans of his musical career as “Bobi Wine”), the age amendment and implicit extension of Museveni’s power indicate bigger issues beneath the surface. Among these problems, Kyagulanyi mentions that over 85% of the Ugandan population is under 35 years old, but that most cabinet ministers are over 70; he sees this imbalance as a foundational for a government that is disconnected from the people it serves. Kyagulanyi also indicates that the message being sent by Museveni’s extended presidency is one of exclusivity that undermines the hope, freedom, and process of democracy rather than helping to prepare the next generation to serve their country well.
 
 
*Picture is property of bbc.co.uk

Brick by Brick—Giving Tuesday with a Twist (or TWO!)

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The turkey is gone, the shopping madness has subsided (slightly?), and today, we slow down and zoom out to refocus on giving even when it hurts, empowering others when we’re out of energy, and generating hope when all we want is to take a nap

slice of great news #1:

Giving Tuesday isn’t a one day sprint for us at ROWAN… we’re marathon-ing this Giving Tuesday for a 17-day stretch, ending on December 15th. Our hope and prayer is that we will receive 1,000 bricks by then. Why? So that we can START BUILDING by early 2018!

Most of our tribe know that Phase Two of building the Hall of Hope, our first ever community center, is well underway and that we’ve asked you to consider donating a brick toward getting this beautiful building up and running…

slice of great news #2:

…but you may not know that you can ALSO donate a brick in someone else’s name as a gift to them this Christmas!

But wait… It gets better.

slice of great news #3:

Giving Tuesday isn’t just a “Make America Feel Better About How Much Money We Just Spent on ourselves on Black Friday and Cyber Monday” holiday anymore. In fact, this whole “Giving Tuesday” thing is about to play out in an INCREDIBLE way for our friends in Uganda, unlike anything you’ve seen before. Stay tuned to learn about the secret second twist—Giving Tuesday, UGANDA STYLE—at their CHRISTMAS PARTY!

Join us on our quest to get to 1,000 bricks!

To those of you who have already donated… Remember, this is about so much more than a building—and we couldn’t have FATHOMED doing this without you!

Fears We Don’t Have To Face: Eddy’s Response to Election Violence

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How the Kenyan Re-Election Affects Our Student, Eddy

ddy (pictured above on the right) is currently finishing law school in Nairobi. During Kenya’s recent presidential re-election, which was scheduled after the annulled results from the questionable one in August, Eddy shared with us that he was feeling very nervous about the political climate and fearful about the implications of this re-election.

Despite our own tumultuous stateside election last fall, our election-related fears seem insignificant and even petty when compared with political situations elsewhere, including Kenya. As they seek to implement democracy, free and fair elections come at a price—often including inevitable violence between opposing parties, polling stations enduring attacks of various sorts, barricaded roads, and the deaths of targeted victims as well as innocent civilian bystanders.
This re-election was no exception, and the validity of Eddy’s fears has been confirmed in many heartbreaking stories since then. Despite his fears, Eddy will continue to study hard, preparing for the selfless career he’s long pursued: as a lawyer, he plans to offer his expertise as a source of hope, becoming a legal voice for the voiceless.

What can you do?

Join us in praying for Kenya and other African governments that are desperately taking strides towards stability in their courts and safety in their neighborhoods.

Join us in praying for Eddy—that he would remain brave and determined to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

Join us in praying for our other sponsored students and those yet to join our program, who also have big dreams that may take them into scary places, just like Eddy’s. In fact, if you’re interested in helping other ambitious but underprivileged kids like Eddy pursue their dreams, please follow this link to read the stories of the kiddos who are waiting for your help!

And finally, join us in praying for our world—that we would all be a bit more relentless in hope, more resilient in adversity, and more committed to compassion for one another.

Pastor Paul is coming to America – to meet YOU!

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KEEP READING FOR EVEN MORE EXCITING NEWS!

Pastor Paul is traveling all the way from Uganda to the United States to meet all of you!

As ecstatic as we are to have him here at last, our great news doesn’t stop there—

Pastor Paul’s purpose in coming is to help raise funds for … (drum-roll please) …

the first actual ROWAN building: the Hall of Hope! Most organizations build big structures and hope people show up. Instead, we’ve served thousands of people under the trees for 10 years, and it’s finally time to build a building!

Our fundraising efforts and Pastor Paul’s visit are about so much more than just a building, though. The way we serve Ugandan orphans and widows is through our programs, and ALL of our programs will be housed there— savings groups and business courses, Saturday kids’ programs, tutoring and counseling, HIV training, sewing and jewelry-making classes, and every other meeting or event imaginable will all take place in this building:

This will allow us to be even more inclusive and hospitable to those in the surrounding community, and it will also make our programs and service more effective! THANK YOU for partnering with us as we take this next step!

Colorado friends—want to meet Pastor Paul, learn more about the Hall of Hope, AND get some free ice cream?! Come hang out with us! We’ll be at Little Man Ice Cream on September 9th from 7 – 9 pm. We’d love to have you join us! Just email kelsey@loverowan.org by August 31st with your number of guests!

Not in Colorado but still eager to spend some time with Pastor Paul and hang out with the ROWAN team? CLICK HERE to access our calendar and schedule of events that outline Pastor Paul’s time here!

Ugandan Politics: One Man’s Climb from the Ghetto to Pop Music to Parliament

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As of late June, Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu was elected as the newest member of the Tenth Parliament of Uganda. He has long been known by his performing name, Bobi Wine, but before he was known as Bobi Wine, he was not well-known at all.

After transitioning from his humble beginnings in the ghetto to a career as a successful musician, Kyagulanyi has ventured into yet another unfamiliar domain: politics. Rather than seeing his musical and political careers as entirely separate entities, however, Kyagulanyi sees a significant overlap in that they constitute different ways of representing the hopes, fears, and feelings of his people, the poverty and injustice they endure, and their prayer for peace.
How can a man move so seamlessly from the ghetto to an elected position in the government?
According to Kyagulanyi, it is precisely his history of hardship that secured him a seat in Parliament. After winning 77.7% of the votes in his constituency (Kyadondo East), he reflects, “The resounding victory is a testament that the people of Kyaddondo and indeed the people of Uganda are ready for a new kind of leadership—a leadership which truly represents them.” The success of his campaign is largely due to the frustrated and employed youth whose desires Kyagulanyi represents. Young voters came en masse to the polling stations, portraying their support for and hope in their new leader. “The youth” are not a small portion of the population, either. In fact, more than 70% of Ugandans are under the age of 25, and the youth unemployment rate is about 83%.
“This is the leadership of the common people,” he said. His written pledge emphasizes his commitment to listening to the priorities of constituents and bringing these priorities to government.

His vision? “Building a better future for Uganda, which means standing up against bad governance and corruption, and concentrating on the needs of the youth.”

The following video depicts Kyagulanyi’s heart for his people. In it, he explains:
“I grew up not wanting to associate myself with politics…. Politics meant trouble, meant death, meant division, meant all negative things. However, as I grew up, I started seeing things—I kept hoping that somebody would stand up [against injustice]. But again, I’m getting older and older, and nothing is changing. So I realized: If I want some change, I have to be that change.”
“I am not going to Parliament to fight with anybody… I am going to Parliament to represent my people. To speak exactly what is being spoken on the street. [I want to] connect the common man to the Parliament… And I want people from other constituencies to start demanding their MPs [Members of Parliament] to do the same.”
“I’m not saying I will be the solution to everything. I just want to evoke [a] spirit of involvement… for these people to own their country. To give them more confidence that they can actually stand up for what is right, and they can be supported.”

All information collected from and available here:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201707040149.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201707050148.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201707030010.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201706300191.html

You, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and a School Bus

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This sounds like the beginning of an absurd joke; instead, it’s the genesis of a dream—and you’re invited to join!

Activate your imagination for a moment:
You are an orphan. You are infected with or affected by AIDS. You are living in rural Uganda. You know that education is the key to a better life and that it will enable you to pursue your dreams. One day, you learn that someone across the world has decided to love YOU by funding your meals, paying for your medical care, and enabling your education!
Despite this opportunity, one obstacle remains: you have to walk TEN MILES to get to and from school each day.
If you’re walking at a brisk 4 mph, that’s more than 2 hours of walking. More reasonably, a 3 mph pace requires more than 3 hours spent walking.
For our students, this trek is physically draining, which minimizes the effort and focus they have left over for their studies. Furthermore, the amount of time they spend walking makes them vulnerable to kidnapping, abuse, and disease.

This is where the bus comes in.

Common sense, right? Walking this far daily is unreasonable and dangerous. So we’re going to pick our students up and drop them off. This will not only transform an hours-long journey into one that occupies only a matter of minutes—it will also keep our orphans safer and allow them to invest more energy in their academic work.

This is where Mt. Kilimanjaro comes in.

The thing about a bus is that it costs money, and the thing about money is that we needed to find a way to raise it.
We thought the tallest mountain in Africa might catch your attention, so ROWAN launched Good Summits—a campaign that enables members of the outdoor community to combine their passion for adventure with a good cause.
Over the course of 15 days, we will be traveling to Uganda, witnessing and participating in what ROWAN is doing in the villages, and conquering the highest free-standing mountain in the world in order to raise awareness and money for our students’ transportation to school.

This is where you come in.

If you’re interested in harnessing your physical energy, available resources, and hopefulness for the sake and safety of ROWAN’s orphans, we want you to join our dream! There are several ways you can get involved: of course, you can join the expedition that will involve hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro; you can donate gear for other hikers; or you can set aside some money to help purchase the bus!
The proceeds of this effort will enable ROWAN to fund safe, reliable transportation for hundreds of children pursuing an education.
If you’re interested in visiting ROWAN villages and joining the ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro, learn more HERE or go ahead and fill out an application! If you aren’t able to participate but still want to be involved, please don’t hesitate to contact Lauren at lauren@loverowan.com.
Thank you for all of your help!

From Famine to Strategic Farming

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This is a season that can get so busy amid the packed schedules, growing to-do lists and preparations for the holidays. But it is good to stop, change our perspective, and remember how we have been blessed. So much has happened in the past several months on the ground in Mawanga and surrounding communities. Our people have seen joys and triumphs, but also experienced sorrow and faced hardships.

If you recall with me, just a handful of months ago our people were struggling with a famine like we had never seen before. Families were starving, supplies were exhausted and we prayed for a miracle — that God would intervene. Funds were raised and grain was purchased to assist the many hungry mouths that needed to be fed. But we also took a step to be proactive. We wanted to plan ahead and attempt to prevent tragedies like this in the future.

So we sent one of our own, Robert, to Farming God’s Way in Kampala. The idea was to put him through training and in turn, he would come back and share all he had learned with various villages.

He set out to learn all he could about strategic farming and maintaining a sustainable way of living through farming. He started later than many of the other participants, and had to catch up on a portion of the classes.
 

But praise God, he completed the training! Robert recently graduated from Farming God’s Way and has returned to Mawanga to share his knowledge. Here he is with Pastor Paul, beaming from ear to ear…and we couldn’t be prouder. Thank YOU for supporting this venture; for trusting God to complete this work and investing in lives and communities around Eastern Uganda. We are excited to see the fruit of this labor in the coming months and years.

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