“The Chilli Children’s Project” or “The 5 Finger Project” Presentation by Evas Nahabwe to the first meeting of the Diocesan Management Committee October 2012 The Project was started by Miss Pat Gilmer way back in 1992. By then it was called ``PAPSCA’’ (Programme for Alleviation of Poverty and Social costs of Adjustment) Today it is called N.K.D/RUKUNGIRI GROWERS ORPHANS AND DISABLED CHILDREN’S PROJECT. LOCATION & BOUNDARIES She had a great VISION The Project’s Head Offices is at North Kigezi Diocese Rukungiri – South Western Uganda. The Project’s Activities or Programme covers 4 main Districts. (The former Kigezi) - Kisoro District. - Kabale District. - Kanungu District. - Rukungiri District. PROJECT BACKGROUND& BRIEF HISTORY The Project was started as an initiative by the Diocese to try and strengthen the safety net of the extended family. Years 1992 – 1995, many orphans were out of school because of inadequate funds in the extended family. Later funds were sought and found to fund a major physical registration exercise of all orphans of the Districts (Rukungiri as a whole… with Kanungu District) as it were. The primary school fees for orphans who were registered were paid by the Project, as well as tuition for double orphans who were in secondary schools (1992 – 1995). At the end of 3 years programme for the initiative could not be aided instead an income generating component was added with the help of an additional grant to facilitate chilli growing for the export market. The chilli would provide incomes to foster parents to meet basic needs such as Scholastic materials for orphans. During the orphan physical registration exercises many children were observed to have disabilities of various types; some of which could be corrected by surgery, others had untreated medical problems and others Deaf, Visual problems and Learning disabilities. Miss Patricia Gilmer, the Project Manager and Administrator at that time sought of funds to facilitate this survey. Since then to date, children with physical disabilities are being assisted by the above Project. Today the Project is called “N.K.D/RUKUNGIRI GROWERS ORPHANS & DISABLED CHILDREN’S PROJECT. Praise GOD so much for the great Vision through PAT !!! INTRODUCTION It gives me much pleasure and privilege to warmly welcome you all to this 1st Annual General Meeting of the appointed Project Committee Members. We (the Project) would like to give Glory to the Almighty God for making it possible for us to meet for the very first time. Praise God once again, because out of a thousand heads of people you are the right ones he choose for the Project!... A big welcome to each one of you and be blessed. We have much hope in you as we both serve God’s people… in this context, the vulnerable children. Again in a special way I would like to thank Our Bishop for having spared or offered his time off his tight schedules to be part of the 1st Management Committee; Bishop we thank you and Maama Eva Tugume we are proud of both. As a ``Project’’ you have been there for us before when the project did not have a full Committee members. PROJECT STAFF These include the Staff at the Head Office (N.K.D/Rukungiri Growers Orphans & Disabled Children’s Project) and their names and positions are indicated below. 1. Mr Tumutende Warren – Head of Chilli section, Field Extension Officer, Rujumbura /Project Senior Driver 2. Mr Mwesigwa John. - Chilli Field Extension Officer, Rubabo / Newly trained Project driver. 3. Mr David Kanyonyozi – Chilli Extension Officer Kanungu District. /Nyakibale Lower primary deaf unit responsibilities &, trained in deaf sign language 4. Mr Nelson Mugabi – full in charge of Project data filing and responsible for Accounts records working hand in hand with the Project Consultant – Miss Patricia Gilmer and the Trust Treasurer in the U.K. 5.Mr Jones Byaruhanga – Project Physiotherapist assistant &Club Foot (Posenti Method) clinics in Rukungiri and Kanungu Districts. 6.Miss Atukunda Generous - Project Secretary. 7.Mrs Evas Nahabwe – Project Manager & Project Occupational Therapist, fully responsible for the Learning Life Skills Clinics in Rukungiri and Kanungu Districts. PROJECT STAFF OUTSIDE MAIN OFFICE. N.K.D STAFF AT KISIIZI HOSPITAL REHABILITATION UNIT. 1- Miss Karungi Jeninah – Cook. 2- Mr Abraham Bashenkana - Cook 3- Miss Loyce Kwarikunda– Matron – N.K.D Rehabilitation Unit. PROJECT STAFF IN RUKUNGIRI (Outside main office) 1- Miss Hope Ninsiima – Cook/ Matron at Nyakibale Deaf Unit School. 2- Mr Peter Karugaba – Cook at Nyakibale Deaf Unit School. 3- Miss Eunice Niwandinda – Project Hostel Matron in Rukungiri town. Project hostel for attendants in transit (to & fro) for medication PROJECT CONSULTANT: Miss Patricia Gilmer. U.K. BASED - Trustees for the Chilli Children Trust 1- Bron. Kucharski. - Treasurer. 2- Ian Thorn - Trustee. 3- Paul Wilson - Trustee 4- Sue Woods - Trustee Co-ordinator. Trustee members ............... holding a meeting, well done. PROJECT PARTNERS KISIIZI HOSPITAL – Kabale: for Surgical camps & other children’s medical care throughout the year. There will be 2012 October- November Orthopaedic Surgical Camp from 26/10/2012 – 2nd November 2012. Children will be arriving on Friday 26th Oct. and operations begin on Monday 29th Oct- Friday 2rd Nov. During the camp week, all the main office staff goes except the project Photos taken from CoRSU calendar 2012 secretary. CORSU HOSPITAL –Kampala- Kisubi Entebbe Road N.K.D G.O.D’s Children with Disabilities who cannot be operated upon at Kisiizi Hospital are referred there (CORSU.) Orthopaedic and plastic surgical operations are done at CORSU; some other cases - Urology currently on special arrangement are being assessed from Corsu. Baby photos taken from CoRSU calendar 2012 MULAGO REFERRAL HOSPITAL – KAMPALA Children with: - Cancer , Ear, Nose & Throat, Spine deformities, Colostomy patients are referred to Mulago Hospital for medication and operations. - Heart / cardiac patients are diagnosed at the Uganda Heart Institute Mulago - Through Chain of Hope with Mulago UHI –Kato Aggrey had his Cardiac surgery from Denmark. Spine cases After Before CURE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL UGANDA – MBALE EASTERN UGANDA The hospital is in the Eastern part of Uganda. It works on Children with Neurology problems, these include: each operation is from 750,000/= - Hydrocephalus. - Brain Tumours - Spina bifidas. KATALEMWA CHESHIRE HOME FOR DISABILITIES - GAYAZA ROAD KAMAPALA. The Project links up with Katalemwa Cheshire home for disabilities for special appliances orders. These are wheel chairs and tri-cycles and raised shoes. At present there is an order for the wheel chairs. For Alex, Isaac & Abdu Sponsored by Mission Direct Medical team (2012). These are yet to be picked. MBARARA – “OURS” Project for Rehabilitation Services. This is located a few metres before Ruharo Cathedral Church. After every 3 months period N.K.D Project sends there children for the Western Region Follow up Programme by the CURE – Children’s hospital, Mbale programme. Most recent was held on 3rd/October/2012. Next will be on 5th December 2012. MBARARA RUHARO – EYE CENTRE Children who are sponsored (of recent by Mission Direct) go for assessment and further investigations; otherwise the Project does not support much children with eye problems especially where surgery is recommended. This is because the funds which come in do not meet all the children’s need and thus genuine priority is given. MISSION DIRECT. Mission Direct… indeed, they have a mission. They have supported the Chilli Children’s project back at Home in the UK where some of them on return they become trustee members for Chilli Children Trust or well-wishers. Here in Rukungiri they have done tremendous work as it was mentioned earlier at some stages. They have a full programme with the 5 finger Project activities during their visiting period. AMAZINGLY, this year they have started an AMAZING project at Kitazigurukwa by building the unit for children with special needs, one classroom was completed and plans are under way that next year it should open officially with effect from first term. We (The project) return the glory to God for this ministry. All that mission direct is doing, we cannot put it on paper… may the Almighty God bless each one of them. New classroom RONDAVELS HOTEL IN RUNKUGIRI Mission Direct visitors reside at Rondavels Hotel. They have some game activities with the deaf pupils of Nyakibale lower primary school every Thursday afternoon during their visit; they play together and share a lot with the deaf children. Thank you Rev. & Mrs Tumusiime, for the love you have too towards these children. PROJECT FINANCIAL ADVISOR: Since September 2005 to date the Rt. Rev Bishop Patrick Tugume has been there for the whole Project. Thank you Bishop Patrick for your endless great support and advice. In fact, to some of you this is to inform that “he has been the Project Committee Member on his own!!. Praise God for he has made it and all efforts appreciated Reference: News Letter Spring time 2012……………… Change is a fact, the Bishop prayed for New Committee to take over him. True the Project needed a Committee and We praise God for leading our Bishop to appoint each one of you to serve in this Special Ministry of vulnerable children… it is most touching a project in reality I am sure you will enjoy it’s activities. NORTH KIGEZI DIOCESE All church Leaders under North Kigezi Diocese have spread the good News to their respective communities about the Project’s ministries of supporting and improving the living conditions of the vulnerable children. These church Leaders are our ambassadors; praise God for their ministry on behalf of the Project. Keep on, keeping on THE NEIGHBOURING DISTRICTS & COMMUNITIES There is good atmosphere in the Districts & communities where the Project’s programme covers; the prior 3 mentioned Districts (Kisoro, Kabale & Kanungu) and Rukungiri communities.