Tag: Health Care

Meet Brenda: the new “Miracle Overseer”

Written by rowan on February 24, 2020. Posted in All. No Comments on Meet Brenda: the new “Miracle Overseer”

It’s simple. If the birth of a new human being is a miracle, and a midwife oversees the birth, then midwives should not merely be called “midwives,” but rather “Miracle Overseers.” Considering the diligent and self-sacrificial care of Brenda Musubika, ROWAN’s newest midwife, even this enhanced title of “Miracle Overseer” may not do justice!

Brenda, who is now 25-years old, graduated with her certificate in “Miracle Overseeing” (a.k.a. Midwifery) from the International Institute of Health Sciences in 2017. After graduating, she worked at the New Hope Hospital in Iganga, Uganda for a year before moving to the Joy Medical Center in Kampala, Uganda, where she served for the past two years before joining ROWAN.

Now, Brenda has come to Mawanga, alongside her husband and little girl, to look after all the new and expecting mothers in our community. This is no small task. Last year alone, over 100 babies were born under the Hope Clinic’s care! Central to her role, Brenda visits women at their homes to ensure that they can supply their babies with adequate breastmilk. When new mothers struggle to produce milk or cannot do so at all, ROWAN provides formula to prevent malnourishment.

Today, formula is a pressing need in the ROWAN community. In fact, it was just last summer that the ROWAN staff discovered Bruno, an emaciated 9-month old boy, who was living with his uncle and grandparents after his mother suddenly passed away. The family had no means of supplying breastmilk and they could not afford the price of formula. ROWAN tried to intervene in Bruno’s sickness, but the provision of formula came too late. Bruno died 2 months later as a result of the irreversible damage caused by his malnourishment …

We lost a child whose inmost being was created by God – whom God knit together in his mother’s womb. We lost a person that was fearfully and wonderfully made.

Malnourishment should no longer be the cause of this.

Will you help us make that possible?

As Brenda outreaches to the community, you can help us enable her with formula, which is rich in the irreplaceable nutrients needed by the newest members of our ROWAN family. If $50/month is all it takes to supply a newborn with formula, Bruno would have grown into a strong and healthy little boy with $600 in care for his first 12 months.

Our vision is to see that the joy of bringing a new child into the world outweighs its dangers and the sorrows of its loss. With Brenda joining our team, we are hopeful for a future in which the promises of the Lord may be realized time and time again:

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” -Psalm 127: 3

“He gives to the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!” -Psalm 113:9

Christmas Party + Ice Cream = Everything

Written by rowan on February 7, 2020. Posted in All. No Comments on Christmas Party + Ice Cream = Everything

Together we raised over $38,000

to buy a bus for ROWAN.

For ROWAN members, the new bus means everything:

no more time wasted walking countless hours to get to the Hall of Hope
time + energy reinvested in education + business
fewer safety threats along the way + more accessible healthcare
field trip + exploration opportunities

Pastor Paul made the announcement at the Christmas Party. Check out the video:

There was dancing, praying, singing, and lots of laughing. People tried ice cream for the first time ever, they thanked God, and the excitement was off the charts. See for yourself:

Remember when we fundraised for the Hall of Hope for Christmas in 2017?

Here it is: everyone gathered under one roof.

We’re praising God for how far we’ve come in the last decade
and so excited to see where he takes us in the coming decade.

Thanks for supporting ROWAN!

Honoring Tikabula’s Memory

Written by rowan on November 7, 2019. Posted in All. No Comments on Honoring Tikabula’s Memory

We just received heartbreaking news that Tikabula Kafuko passed away yesterday at 86-and-a-half years old.

She will be remembered as a world-changer who had twice as much spunk and life in her than most people have at 25. Tikabula dearly loved to dance, was known to speak boldly, and (as Pastor Paul says) you could always count on her to “make funs” (make jokes). She played an integral part of our pineapple and passion fruit gardens at ROWAN. She enjoyed tending to her small garden at her home, and the community will always remember how hard she worked. Here are some pictures of her gardening:

For the last few years of her long and beautiful life, her body struggled with arthritis and joint pain. Ultimately, she passed away of cancer in her intestines. We would like to thank Tikabula’s sponsors, Norma and Philip Tubbs, for helping make her final years her very best. She called ROWAN “family” and never missed an event. Life expectancy in Uganda is currently about 60 years old, and we are so thankful for so many years beyond that where we were able to learn from and laugh with Tikabula. We are missing her deeply but thankful to know she is resting in the Father’s arms.

If you ever had the privilege of meeting Tikabula, we would love to hear and share your stories and memories to honor her legacy.

Changing Bruno’s Story

Written by rowan on August 9, 2019. Posted in All. No Comments on Changing Bruno’s Story

Our summer team had the privilege of visiting many homes this last May and got to hug, hold and love on many different children and families. Many families in Eastern Uganda have taken in other children because of loved ones who have passed away. A home might contain grandparents who have become parents to their grandchildren, aunts and uncles who have taken in their nieces and nephews after parents have passed away, or older brothers and sisters who become the parents to their own siblings.

One of the homes that the team had the chance to visit, was the home of Bruno. At the time, he was 9 months old and had lost his mom suddenly so his uncle and grandparents took him in to care for him. They could not afford to buy formula to feed him and give his body what it needed. He was given black tea, because that was all they could offer him. After the team visited him, they soon realized that he needed more and they decided to help him. They gathered some money to purchase formula for little Bruno and were able to find two amazing sponsors to help him and his caregivers.

Unfortunately for Bruno, his body just couldn’t gain the strength it needed to overcome this obstacle. He passed away at 11 months of age.

This news shook many people who had the opportunity to meet sweet little Bruno and also many others who simply heard about it. But his story will bring other babies in the same situation some hope. A friend of the ROWAN family has begun the process of starting a non profit called Formula ONE. This organization will raise funds to help other babies like Bruno who have lost their mothers and have no way to get the nourishment their little bodies need to grow. These funds will purchase formula for families that need it but can’t afford to purchase it themselves.

In the meantime, if this story tugs at your heartstrings like it did to mine, please consider giving now to help a baby who needs more than black tea to nourish his body. Let’s not allow another baby like Bruno to suffer because of something out of his control. You can give to our baby formula campaign where $50 will provide a young baby with formula for one month. The ROWAN clinic will purchase the formula and then will train the caregivers on how to care for the little ones who need it.

Bruno will now become the voice for Formula ONE and will bring hope to so many, giving many other precious babies a chance to change their own story.

What are people saying about ROWAN?

Written by rowan on July 3, 2019. Posted in All. No Comments on What are people saying about ROWAN?

If you’re anything like me, you occasionally or more than occasionally like to research things based on online reviews. I’ve made a lot of decisions based on said reviews: what books to read, what movies to watch, which restaurants to try and which vacuum to purchase! Practically every public figure and organization receives reviews. At ROWAN, we learn a lot about ourselves by listening to those who interact and spend time with us; they have good insight into who we are.

It is exciting to share with you that the reviews are in, and ROWAN is a top-rated non-profit organization!

Listen to what this ROWAN donor has to say:

“ROWAN has truly impacted our hearts and minds through sponsorship and Christmas giving. To be able to correspond with our sponsor children online and through mail is such a blessing. I truly feel like I am part of their journey. I can rest easy knowing the funds we donate are used for exactly what is intended. The clear communication between ROWAN and their supporters allows us to not only completely trust their vision but to be proud of what is being done.”

Brandon, an Ivy-League graduate, shares this powerful story about ROWAN:

“This is an utterly amazing organization that builds up leaders in the communities it operates within. I have never come across a group that more fluidly engages local leaders, donors, and teams from around the world in a partnership that values and maximizes the skills that each individual brings to the table. I volunteered with ROWAN in the summer of 2014 and met a group of Ugandan men and women who care very passionately about their community, especially widows and those suffering from HIV/Aids. They made it a priority to not only coordinate the administration of necessary medication, but also bring impactful change into the lives of individuals in the village by teaching them skills that they could use to build a business and thrive. Treating every person with respect and a implementing a tangible, long-term plan for success are hallmarks of this organization and things that really set ROWAN apart from other organizations I have worked with in the past. I would recommend ROWAN to anyone if they are seeking to donate or volunteer for a group with an impeccable track record who is changing the lives of hundreds of people and growing at an impressive rate. From the top down, I want to stress the character and integrity of the men and women who are a part of ROWAN and the life-changing work they are doing.”

Sometimes those who work inside an organization have the most to complain about. This is not the case at ROWAN. Listen to what Lauren has to share:

“I have been working with ROWAN for five years now, and have visited the village three times. Each time my understanding of cultures, nonprofits, and foreign aid has increased exponentially, and each visit has changed my life in a different way. The people and experiences impacted by ROWAN have greatly influenced my career path and the motivations behind it. The people in Mawanga, Uganda have even greater stories to tell, however! It has been a great joy to see the growth over the years, and to see and hear the success stories in both the children and the adults! It’s a rare nonprofit that can focus on empowering every aspect of a person’s life (again, child and adult), and ROWAN does it so well in so many pioneering ways! Pastor Paul Nyende and Kelsey Hargadine are two of the most humble and committed people I know, and their teamwork has created an incredible organization!”

I encourage you to read more reviews at greatnonprofits.org.

Would you consider joining us and sponsor an orphan or widow today? Thank you!

Tibita’s Successful Surgery

Written by rowan on March 14, 2019. Posted in All. No Comments on Tibita’s Successful Surgery

Last week one of our older students named Tibita needed a surgery to move his lipoma: a benign tumor over his left eye.

Tibita before surgery

It had been growing there for the past several years, and as you can imagine, fear grew with it. It was incredible news to hear that it was benign and simply needed to be removed. ROWAN acted fast and as of last week, this is Tibita now

Tibita after surgery

We are so thankful to be able to step in and act fast with our local clinic on the scene. Tibita has 3 more years before he completes his diploma in plumbing. He needs one more sponsor to help him reach this goal.

Would you consider sponsoring Tibita today?

ROWAN Clinic Expandsc

Written by rowan on February 11, 2019. Posted in All. No Comments on ROWAN Clinic Expandsc

ROWAN is just finishing up painting our new lab building, and soon they are headed to pick up the supplies needed to stock the lab for the new year. Currently we have one clinical officer named Patrick that runs the lab, and soon we are training our current nurse named Rachel to do the same.

Did you know we expanded our clinic with a laboratory?

Since ROWAN clinic opened in 2017, we have worked diligently to create a facility that will meet the needs of the local community. We have added a maternity ward with an ultrasound machine, and now this lab will service the entire community. ROWAN members pay .28 cents for each visit, and free lab work and ultrasounds. Non-ROWAN members pay $3.00-$10.00 per visit, depending on the need.

Each month, ROWAN covers the cost of purchasing the medicine needed to care for hundreds of people across 30 villages. As we work toward being 100% sustainable, we need your help.

Donate medicine here

Flashback – ROWAN Health Center 2009

Written by rowan on November 23, 2018. Posted in All. No Comments on Flashback – ROWAN Health Center 2009

The health center is an important part of every ROWAN members life. From the teeth to the body, preventative care is essential. Donations are a lifeline to this rural clinic & the patients that they care for.

Elijah in his own dentist chair.

Working for a Healthier Everyone

The doctors & dentists here offer important services to the women & children of ROWAN, they are forever in our prayers. It’s important to let these amazing people & the donations provided for them to do their work shine as much as possible. They are an essential part of life for many people.

Some pictures of the health center & the people who make it tick.

A Big Thanks

Thanks to the donations of our patrons, we are able to keep ROWAN women & children as healthy as possible, from the top down! If you’d like to donate to the cause, we’d love to have you as part of the family!

College Students Leave for the Village

Written by rowan on May 23, 2018. Posted in All. No Comments on College Students Leave for the Village

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!

Written by rowan on April 12, 2018. Posted in All. No Comments on Hepatitis Outbreak – Please Help!

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

Tag: Health Care