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NEWS UPDATE MAY 2009
Dear Supporter,
Thank you again for your continued support – here are some snippets of news for you.
NEWS FROM KENYA:
- Glyn & Jane Davies are still trying to build a wall around a plot of land that has been given to them for their school project. Land grabbers have tried to sell the land illegally and are resisting them. The legal system has judged in favour of Glyn & Jane. Implementation of the judgement is taking time but please pray for a quick resolution of this matter.
- Education for Life, the charity run by Glyn & Jane in Mombasa is doing a great job. I visited earlier in the year. The school has 118 children in nursery, over 300 in primary and almost 200 in secondary. Every day a dedicated team works to feed around 700 children.
NEWS FROM ALBANIA:
- There is a lot of activity going on at the LightForce Centre in Ishull Lezhe. We unsuccessfully tried to sell the property to generate funds and relocate our base in Albania. In the meantime we have acquired funds to run both Centres. Two months of industrious activity will make the Centre ready for a summer programme of children’s & youth camps. Painters are busy, our 120 meters long riverside fence has been reconstructed after removing it for a government project to dredge and widen the river to stop flooding in winter. Our playing field is being ploughed and grassed. Further work will continue throughout next winter and a new activity camp programme will launch in 2010.
- A property has been secured in the mountains in Lura where LightForce began its work in Albania in 1993. This facility will also be developed for 2010 to provide for children, youth & family camps. A sustainable development project for the Lura region is also planned.
- Rachel Wilson is running four weeks of summer camps for children and young people at the LightForce Centre this summer. This will be a significant month that will contribute to the social, educational, physical and spiritual needs of those who attend. We need lots of sponsors for the children. Other groups will also use the Centre.
NEWS FROM INDIA:
- Our partners at New India Church of God continue to provide informal education and food for street children in Mumbai six days a week. They have just laid the foundation stone for a rehabilitation centre to cater for street children, prostitutes and drug addicts. Mobile Evangelistic Teams still work to present the gospel in areas that have never been reached before. New churches continue to be established in these areas. In Orissa houses are being built for refugees who lost everything in the violence in India last year.
- Jacob Williams and his team in Chennai continue to provide housing, food, education and vocational training for around 170 children. Under the leadership of Joe Williams IGM has been able to bring rapid response to a number of emergency situations in India. George will visit the Chennai projects in June and explore a new partnership with a group in Andre Pradesh.
NEWS FROM UGANDA:
- In the past three years LightForce has been able to renovate or build 50 health units in three districts (Lira, Dokolo & Oyam) in northern Uganda. This has included the provision of housing for 100 health workers, provision of equipment and buffer stocks of drugs for the health units. Funding has come from the Government of Belgium and Unicef.
- This year, with your help, we have funded 29 children with physical & mental challenges to go to school. Without this support these children would not get an education.
- In partnership with six health units we are funding a project to ensure pregnant mums can have a safe delivery. For less than £2/baby we can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by having the mothers deliver in a proper health unit. We have committed to 1200 babies in the next few months.
- Becky Harrison ran projects for 4 years for children in IDP camps & then for those with Special Needs. The projects finished at the end of 2008 and Becky has now returned to work in the UK. She will continue to be a part of the LightForce team looking after our school sponsorship programme and visiting to assist with future special needs projects. Thanks Becky.
- Tim Miles (Emergency Medical Practitioner) has just returned from Uganda where he has been monitoring health centres. Public Health Care has improved in the areas where we have been working during the last three years.
- Gotojwang Primary School. Originally funded by Charlton House Catering, we built & continue to support this remote school. It has over 228 primary children. We pay salaries & provide resources.
- We have supplied equipment to all 28 day nurseries in Aromo Sub County.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS 2009 & 2010:
- Albania – development of new adventure centre projects. 2009: Work team October 17-31st (2wks) Also 1wk: 17th-24th or 24th–31st October. 2010: 4th -18th April (2 wks) Also 1wk: 4th–11th or 11th-18th.
- Albania Summer Activity Programme volunteers: to supervise & develop local staff running activities: horse riding, climbing, mountain biking, archery, mountain walking, swimming, child friendly space, children’s camps, BBQ etc. Great gap Year Opportunity. 2010: May-Sept. 1wk-5mth
- Uganda – monitoring of Health Units & staff training. October 2009, February, June & October 2010. We need medical professionals to bring their expertise & contribute to developing health service delivery at 32 health units in northern Uganda.
MOBILE PHONES & LAPTOP COMPUTERS:
- We can turn your old laptop computer & mobile phone into cash – even if not working. Please send them to: LightForce International, Christian Centre, Oldbrook, Milton Keynes. MK6 2TG.
PROJECTS NEEDING SUPPORT – SEE FLYERS FOR DETAILS:
- Children’s Camps. We need support for children’s camps in Albania – will you help us?
- Safe Delivery. We have committed to finance delivery of 1200 babies – can you help?
- School Sponsorship for Special Needs Children. Will you consider supporting a child?
Best Wishes
George R Ridley
LightForce International
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