Sanyu Babies’ Home Quarterly Newsletter – Issue 28– July – September 2015 IN THIS ISSUE Letter from the Chairman Letter from the Director Run for the Innocent Children Hello’s & Goodbye’s Baptism The arrival of Mercy Malaika Meet Johanna Volunteer Report Volunteer Opportunities Sponsor A Child Donations Needed How to Donate Donors this quarter LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Whenever I look in the faces of these gems I get filled with joy and gratitude. Look at the one on the left she is so self- assured – how can the world let her down! The boy seems so ready to take on the world and win. May God help us to give them the opportunities they require? I take this opportunity to thank all of you who participated in the Marathon run for Sanyu Babies Home rehabilitation and support. We targeted raising UGX 450 million. In the event we had a wonderful time and raised UGX 104 million - so far. We trust that God will, through you, perform amazing miracles and will provide all the resources required to transform the home into the best children’s home ever. Your continued and generous contribution and support are great inspiration to us. We are committed as ever to never let God’s banner at Sanyu Babies Home burn out. May God bless you always. - Rev. Prof. Sam Luboga – Board Chairman Sanyu Babies’ Home, P.O. Box 14162, Mengo, Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 414 274 032 Mobile+256 712 370 950/ +256 705 681 603 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sanyubabies.com “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9) LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR It’s a great honor to present to you the 28th issue of the Sanyu Babies’ Home Newsletter. God has continued to be so good to the Sanyu family and we praise Him for using each one of you in an amazing way to bless us. Though it’s nearly impossible for me to count all our blessings over the last few months, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who generously contributed and participated in the 2015 Sanyu Babies’ Home Rehabilitation run. The event successfully took place on the 8th day of August, 2015. We are forever grateful to you our dear friends. The last quarter has been a period of encouragement and a busy one. Praise the Lord for continual health for the Sanyu family despite the challenge of mumps among the children. We continue to look towards the future with great optimism about the future of our Home. I now have the pleasure to present to you some of the testimonies and updates of what has been going on here at Sanyu. I hope you enjoy reading all the way to the end. Barbara Nankya Mutagubya – Director RUN FOR THE INNOCENT CHILDREN 5km race participants being flagged off Sanyu Babies’ Home, P.O. Box 14162, Mengo, Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 414 274 032 Mobile+256 712 370 950/ +256 705 681 603 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sanyubabies.com “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9) In an effort to raise funds for the rehabilitation of Sanyu Babies’ Home, a marathon run through the Bishop’s appeal fund was held on 8th August, 2015. The theme for the day was “Run for the Innocent Children”. This is one of the unforgettable marathons which captured the hearts and minds of the nation. People up and down the country embraced the magic of giving back and used many inspiring ways to join in and support the innocent children. 2,345 people registered to participate in the 10 km run and the 5 km run; while others participated by walking around the cathedral gardens, Mengo hospital and Sanyu Babies’ Home. Participants praying before the start of the race Bishop flagging off 10km race participants The event was not only a fund raiser but also a team building exercise for all participants, who showed their solidarity through their kind personal contributions. The run was flagged off by the Bishop of Namirembe Diocese the Rt. Rev. Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira at 7:00am after the participants had been taken through some light aerobic exercises. The participants were welcomed back by the Sanyu children who made musical presentations together with the mamas and the volunteers. Sanyu Babies’ Home, P.O. Box 14162, Mengo, Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 414 274 032 Mobile+256 712 370 950/ +256 705 681 603 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sanyubabies.com “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9) Sanyu children, mamas and volunteers on stage performing We thank all the corporate companies, schools, civil society bodies, religious institutions and all individuals for your generous contributions as well as participation in the marathon. In a special way, we thank MOVIT for the 1,500 marathon t-shirts, 2,000 bandanas, and a cash contribution; Events Ware House for the stage, sound, timer/clock, and marathon rout mapping; Fountain Supplies for the 200 marathon registration books; Namugongo water and Rwenzori water for the drinking water; Vision Group, Central Broad Casting Services (CBS), Salt FM, Impact FM and Namirembe FM for the Publicity and Advertisements; Uganda Police for the security and traffic control, Uganda Red Cross Society and Mengo Senior School students (scouts) for the marathon volunteers; Mengo Hospital, Galilee Community General Hospital, St. Johns Ambulance, International Air Ambulance (IAA), Boda boda 2010, City Medical and Case Hospital for the ambulances and medical staff that offered first aid. Without your support, the marathon would not have been a success. 104,488,820 Ugx was raised. We honorably remember and appreciate the marathon organizing committee which was chaired by John Fred Kazibwe. We therefore say “Ebenezer- Thus far the Lord has helped us”. The walking participants’ flag off Sanyu Babies’ Home, P.O. Box 14162, Mengo, Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 414 274 032 Mobile+256 712 370 950/ +256 705 681 603 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sanyubabies.com “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9) HELLOS AND GOODBYES In the past three months, we have received 8 children, 4 have been re-united with their families, and 1 transferred. Admissions: Diana Nassolo (1 month old) Arrived on 30th June 2015; She was wrapped in a blanket and abandoned by an unknown person near a pit latrine in Nansana. Patrick Agaba (3 days old) Arrived on 14th July 2015; He lost his mother shortly after delivery in Mulago Hospital. Enoch Ariho (2 days old) Arrived on 16th July 2015; He was abandoned by an unknown person around a garbage area in Rakai District. Daniel Muwanguzi (2.5 months old) Arrived on 20th July 2015; He was rescued by residents from his lunatic mother in Wandegeya Kampala. Tendo (6 months old) Arrived on 18th August 2015; She was rescued by the mob in Kampala New Taxi Park from a seemingly lunatic man also suspected to have kidnapped her. Abigail Kiconco (7 months old) Arrived on 21st August 2015; She was rescued by a police officer of Wakaliga Police Post from a fighting couple that attempted to strangle her. Patience Nabukeera (6 days old) Arrived on 9th September 2015; She was a result of rape of a teenage mother by a stranger! Mercy Malaika Nvanungi (11months old) Arrived on 25th September, 2015; She was rescued by Police from a good Samaritan who was caring for her but using her as a tourist attraction, after her mother tried to strangle her because she was born with half arms. Reunions: Diana Nassolo (7th July 2015) Tendo (19th August 2015) Agnes Gift Nakamate (20th August 2015) Abigail Kiconco (24th August 2015) Transferred: Patrick Agaba (27th July 2015) He was transferred to Watoto because it was discovered he had siblings there. Sanyu Babies’ Home, P.O. Box 14162, Mengo, Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 414 274 032 Mobile+256 712 370 950/ +256 705 681 603 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sanyubabies.com “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9) Baptisms at Sanyu On 17th September 2015, we were privileged and greatly honored to have Rev. Patrick Jameson Ssemanda come and baptize 12 babies at Sanyu. We are so thankful to the Reverend for having come in our home to baptize the children. The babies that were baptized: Joshua Ssevume Christian Byaruhanga Joram Tumushabe Elvis Ssegawa Paul Twesigye Marie Bakhita Nabbanja Francis Wamala Nicole Mercy Nakitende Erinah Nagawa Enoch Ariho Daniel Muwanguzi Patience Nabukeera FEATURE: The Arrival of Mercy Malaika Born with half arms, Mercy’s story was a fight for survival right from her birth. At 1 day old, her mother tried to strangle her to death when she realized that Mercy has special needs. Luckily enough, a Good Samaritan rescued the baby but the mother disappeared. For the past 11 months, Mercy has been under the care of the Good Samaritan who was struggling financially and hence decided to use her as a tourist attraction to raise funds to care for her family. On Friday 25th September 2015, the Njeru Division Police – Buikwe District rescued her and brought her to Sanyu Babies’ Home for care and protection.