Piecemakers Quilting Group

Piecemakers Quilting Group of Colts Neck Reformed Church in Colts Neck NJ give generously of their time and handiwork for our children in Uganda. The little dresses they sewed speak to their generous hearts and busy hands. Some went to children from St. Lawrence School, others the pastor took to sub parishes during his pastoral visits and gave them to the children who came in torn clothes.

and the children sent thank you letters to the Group

Nov 2012 Newsletter

 November 2012

Water Project & Segal Family Foundation: Perfect together and moving forward          Grant Advances Clean Water Project  A generous $24,000 grant from the Segal Family Foundation narrows the gap to bring clean water to St. Lawrence School students and patients in the new St. Frances Health Center before the approaching January dry season. The 510' well is drilled, the pump house is built, and the water tower, soaring above the school buildings, promises an exciting future without yellow jerry cans filled with dirty pond water. The pump house and empty water tower stand like beacons of hope, thirsting for clean water to flow across the mile and a half that separates them. How will this happen?  Water tower tank stands empty...waiting for water from the well! Thanks to the Segal grant, the installation of poles and wiring to electrify the water pump will begin. Digging the long trench and laying pipes to connect the pump house to the tower and installing a distribution network to the school and health center requires a remaining $90,000. Our partner schools have raised over $50,000 and combined with Merck & Co. Inc.'s $35,000 and other contributions our QuartersForWater Project has steadily progressed. To help us accomplish our new goal, we ask you to reach out and invite churches, schools, businesses and corporations to become a CALU partner. We invite you also to be a part of CALU history. $20 Buys a Yard of Pipeline. You can change the lives of an entire African community with the $20 purchase of a yard of pipeline from the 2,973 yard distance between the well and the tower. This holiday season, consider giving the gift of water with a special gift card to a family member or friend.  Whether it is 1 yard or 50 yards, each yard brings us closer to clean water for our children.                (If you have trouble downloading the card, email jsemler@changealifeuganda and she will send it to you.) Fr. Lawrence, Gabrielle Francesco, Andy Bryant, Jean Semler

QuartersForWater  Chester Community Charter School Donates to the Water Project! Students from Chester Community School located in Chester PA, an economically challenged city, are proud of how they helped students in Uganda. Having raised $1,340 in the first half of 2012, they are excited to start again with cake sales, Friday dress down day and "I changed a life" bracelets. Fr. Lawrence, during his recent visit to Chester Community School, thanked the students and personalized QuartersForWater with his stories about the school and the children's daily fetching water chores.

CashForCrafts and FundsForFarming Fr. Lawrence Thanks Rumson Country Day School for Children's Microcredit Program For the last two years, Rumson Country Day School has funded a successful micro credit program for CALU students, women and teachers. Members of the teacher's group received small loans for individual income-producing projects, as did the women craft's group. The children's program is an animal rearing project involving chickens, pigs, and goats. The child learns skills to raise and sell the animals and to keep accurate records. We can proudly report that all the children, teachers and women have paid back their loans. A new component to this partnership is the opening of individual savings accounts which could help fund the children's future educations.

Festivities and Celebration Marked CALU's 

5-Year Anniversary during Fr. Lawrence's Visit 

  

A festive and fun-filled African Picnic at Knightsbridge Farm in Middletown, NJ honored CALU's 5-year anniversary. Cotton candy, a delicious pig roast, traditional African food, a competitive Uganda vs. US soccer game (in which Father Lawrence exhibited his goalie skills), Ugandan music and dancing and an evening barn fire made for a fabulous family event. 

 

  

Siobhan Fallon Hogan, our master of ceremonies, hosted a lively auction to raise money for pigs, goats, chickens for FundsForFarming, pipes for the QuartersForWater project and children's sponsorships. Special thanks to Sophia Kho and her family for providing their horse farm, a perfect venue for our celebration. Thank you Kerry Chandler, Gaye Nicholson, Sophia Kho, and Christina and Tom Durney for making this fabulous family event happen.

Hands down, Father Lawrence's trip was a great success. In addition to the African picnic, he updated our supporters at a wonderful afternoon event hosted by Kathy & Mark Fable in Old Tappan and at a special fundraiser for QuartersForWater at the Buona Sera Restaurant in Red Bank. A warm thank you to Chris Mariani, owner of Buona Sera for his generous support and for the organizing expertise of Mary Maralla and Liz Annino.

We have so much to be thankful for.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL.

Aug 2012 Newsletter

AUGUST 2012

ChangeALife Uganda.org

CALU Staff Attends Dedication 
of Completed, Furnished Health Center in Migyera   

Over 200 residents of Migyera, dressed in their finest, took seats under two large tents shading them from the afternoon sun to witness the formal dedication of their new St. Francis Health Center in Migyera, Uganda on Wednesday, July 4.

Under a third tent sat dignitaries from state and regional government, Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Paul S. Semogerere, and ChangeALife Uganda's Rev. Lawrence Kitzito Kimbowa, guests, and members of the U.S. ChangeALife Uganda team. 

Speakers, including a representative of the local townsfolk, praised and thanked the commitment and generosity of their "American friends" who helped to complete construction of the clinic and provide funds to equip and staff it. The newly improved clinic now provides infant and family wellness care, and soon, maternal health services. The clinic staff treated 300 patients on the days immediately preceding opening day.  

The CALU Team included President Semler, Vice President David Thelen, Health Care team Karen Hinckley, MBA, Susan Peacock, R.N., Evelyn Wells, M.D. and Lito Fune, M.D., both of Jersey Shore Medical Center, and Rosemary Carroll, member of the CALU Board of Directors

Speaking on behalf of CALU and its many supporters in New Jersey, President Jean Semler said, "We are honored to have the opportunity to work with the people of Migyera to improve the quality of care you receive. We came today to celebrate with you the opening of the new St. Francis Health Center, and also to see what else is needed to enable the clinic staff to provide more comprehensive health care services. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with you and the staff to make this a premier health center."

 
The festive celebration included a medley of lively native dances by the children of St. Lawrence School and a buffet dinner for attendees.  

Dr Wells listens to a fetal heartbeat

Drs. Wells and Fune worked a full day treating patients alongside clinic Medical Director Dr. Ronald Lubega. Early laboratory tests of 98 patients revealed 20 cases of malaria and 10 of typhoid. Of 198 patients tested for HIV, 15 were HIV+ including two children. Since then, the number has grown to 86 HIV+ patients and other health problems have been identified.

Dr Lubega and Nurse Martha visit with a mother recovering from malaria

Friends of CALU were inspired to provide funds needed for the clinic after the unnecessary and tragic death last year of 

Christopher Bakwana, a child who contracted malaria, a preventable and treatable disease. The boy did not have access to a nearby clinic

Unlike Christopher, this young boy is treated for malaria

   







 "Now children in Migyera will have access to quality health care," said Jean Semler. "Our wonderful new facility is here to prevent deaths of other children 
from malaria."

MoneyForMedicine

Health Center Qualifies as AIDS/HIV Treatment Clinic

Beginning August 16, the new St. Francis Health Center in Migyera will become part of the Ministry of Health as it begins treatment programs for the 86 patients who tested positive for HIV.

In correspondence to Rev. Lawrence K. Kimbowa of CALU, Pheona Busingye of Mildmay Uganda, a national program  providing comprehensive care for patients with HIV and AIDS-related health problems, said Mildmay will start an outreach station at St. Francis Health Center this month, and it also has begun the process to accredit the Center as an antiretroviral medication site. Mildmay Uganda recommends a team comprised of a physician, nurse counselor and data management supervisor to manage the HIV clinic. Mildmay Uganda will provide HIV treatment drugs free of charge to the patients as well as testing kits for the health center.

Jean and Dave began the CALU journey in 2007 with the idea of providing medical care to those who need it. The dedication of the health center made that idea a reality.

Money For Medicine

CALU Pledges Completion of Women's Care Unit

While the new St. Francis Health Center is providing child and family wellness services, the maternity rooms remain unfinished.

 

"We are determined to provide the equipment needed for the antenatal, delivery and recovery rooms as soon as possible," said Jean Semler, CALU President. "Women's health, particularly pre-natal and obstetrics, is vital to our health care program."  

Items needed include: Doppler fetalscope; large sink for the delivery room; incubator with UV light; safety goggles; nine IV stands for beds in delivery, recovery, antenatal rooms; three mobile GYN lamps; GYN exam beds with stirrups; waterproof covers for beds; side cupboards for each bed; two autoclave sterilizers plus two additional drums; antenatal scale; blood pressure pump and cuff; bedpans, kidney shaped basins, gloves, masks and other supplies.

Summer Religious Ed Students Get Involved!

For the fourth summer, religious education classes at St. Pius Church in Old Tappan, NJ raised money to sponsor a CALU student. Because of three classes' fundraising efforts, Erineo Kawooya will attend school again this year. Erineo and the students write to each other, sharing stories of school, home and interests. The Old Tappan students enjoy receiving Erineo's letters, which are always filled with pictures and descriptions of his school accomplishments. Thank you, St. Pius Summer CCD!

ChangeALife Uganda.org  

 

May 2012 Newsletter

MAY 2012

ChangeALife Uganda.org

 

Dear Friends of CALU,

Your support continues to work miracles! Let me tell you the impact our micro-finance loans are having on one woman in our program, and upon our children who are learning animal husbandry.

Resty Birungi ran a small vegetable stall outside her home in rural Nabbingo, and sold a few items on a good day - enough to help with family expenses.

Thanks to a micro-finance loan from ChangeALife Uganda in 2011, Resty Birungi has seen her business improve. She has expanded her stall to a little shop, a short one-eighth of a mile walking distance from her home, and in it installed shelves on which to display her fresh produce. With the loan she also has been able to purchase more goods to sell which has attracted an increase in business from the community. To secure her inventory, when she closes the shop at the end of the day, she purchased wooden storage containers - something she was not able to do before.

Her income continues to grow and she is reliable in repaying her loan from CALU. She has joined two "cash round groups" - an investment system for her savings, and she plans to open a savings account in a local bank soon. Resty Birungi is married. She, her husband and six children live in a slum outside of Kampala. CALU sponsors a daughter and two sons in Nabbingo: Nakayiza Kevin (daughter) sponsored by J&J Baby team, Guija Richard sponsored by Shelly Masterson. The summer CCD Program of St. Pius Church in Old Tappan sponsors Kawooya Erineo and helped the family. In 2010, the 6th grade class raised $330 for his sponsorship and $146 for the family. They plan to continue their support again this year.

Resty Birungi is one of 40 women improving their lives through CALU micro-finance loans. Some make jewelry, others weave baskets, a few will soon make bricks from vegetable compost and all are empowered with a sense of accomplishment Over 200 residents of Migyera, dressed in their finest, took seats under two large tents shading them from the afternoon sun to witness the formal dedication of their new St. Francis Health Center in Migyera, Uganda on Wednesday, July 4.

Rumson Contry Day School 

In 2011, ChangeALife Uganda entered a new phase of its partnership with Rumson Country Day School through The Microfinance Loan Project. With a generous grant of $1,500. by RCDS, the ChangeALife Foundation in Uganda was able to distribute loans ranging from $13 to $90. to students, teachers, and parents within the ChangeALife community. Women, children, and teachers were empowered by their successes while earning income to donate and reinvest in the project, provide basic needs for families, and very importantly, to educate children.

While the women are learning new skills and trades, 16 of our CALU children are learning to be successful farmers by raising animals for market through our loan program.They have taken goats, chickens, rabbits or pigs to raise, breed, and expand their business. They sell animals, first to repay their loans, then for income. Like their mothers, the children develop self-confidence and learn practical skills to advance their opportunities for work and self-sufficiency after they graduate from school.

Let me introduce you to some of them:        

Nakamya Elizabeth raised a goat that recently gave birth to one male kid. She plans to sell the kid to repay her loan. Her mama goat is expecting again so Elizabeth is learning that care of her goat means income.  

Namagembe Doreen, who is now in Primary Seven, was pleased her female pig produced eight healthy, lively piglets. She plans to sell one piglet to cover her loan. The sow is expecting another litter so Doreen's business is growing. She plans to be a commercial farmer.  

Namuli Elizabeth, who is in Primary Five, turned her two hens and one cock into 11 chicks. She is building a coop for her brood and, with the sale of chicks and eggs, will soon pay back her loan.  

Agaba Brian, who is in Primary Seven, welcomed two male kids form his goat and hopes to sell one kid soon to repay his loan. He loves farming, daring the scorching sun to ensure his goats are fed. 

  

Sonko Brian, now in Primary Six, constructed a large crate to house his kids as his goat herd grows. He is proud of his accomplishment and will soon pay back his loan.  

Sengozi Moses, a Primary Seven student, opted for three rabbits which have delivered seven "bunnies" so far. Moses sees a large market for rabbits, and with a short gestation period, his supply will grow quickly and he will repay his loan in no time.

Lukwago John, who is in Primary Five at St. Jude Kakooge, is pleased his sow will soon deliver piglets.

Thank you so much for your generous support of all of CALU's programs which makes our mirco-finance projects possible. We invite you to send a donation today. Your added gift, beyond tuition sponsorship, puts income generating skills into the hands of our parents and children and truly changes lives in Uganda. 

Sincerely, 
Jean Semler

President 

P.S. You may make a contribution on-line by clicking onto our secure site...Make a contribution on our secure site at ChangeALife Uganda.org

Mar 2012 Newsletter

 

 March 2012

ChangeALife Uganda.org

 

Students Becoming Citizens of the World Through Community Service

Birthday Gifts Become Gifts of Health Birthdays are always special but this was extra special for twins Tess and Sam Chandler, because of their turning 14 on Jan 14. Tess and Sam are also extraordinary young people who are not only conscious of the needs others, but made their birthday party a call to action. In lieu of birthday gifts for themselves, they asked for donations to ChangeALife Uganda's health care project. The gifts, totaling $5,278 will prevent sickness and death from malaria and other illnesses because families will have access to medical care at the new Migyera Health Center. Tess and Sam, your generous spirit inspires us all.

"Chic Marathon" Helps Girls in Uganda "Chic Marathon" helps girls in Uganda. Mrs. Murdock's art experience students from Rumson Country Day School join students at St. Lawrence School in Uganda in a collaborative microfinance program. The Ugandan students made the beautiful beaded jewelry from recycled paper and the RCDS students sold it. Their marathon plus sales at the book fair raised $2,016. The profit supports the arts program, a new classroom and sponsorship of a needy St. Lawrence School student. A new adventure awaits the students from both schools this term with their participation in a special UN program called the 20/20 Challenge that focuses on educational sharing. The lives of our students are changing which is the mission of CALU.

Eleni Scurletis' Community Service Award Fights Poverty7th Grader Eleni Scurletis, who attended the American Community School of Athens in 2011 and is now back at Rumson Country Day School, was recognized for her commitment to service by winning the 2011 NESA (Near East South East Asia) HAAS/HANSEN Student Award. One of three students chosen from 30 participating schools, Eleni received an award of $500 and was invited to present on "How to Inspire Students to Perform Community Service" at a conference for 600 teachers in Bangkok, Thailand. She donated $100 to ChangeALife Uganda and to four of her other favorite charities. Thank you Eleni for your generous heart. Eleni holds a letter from Josephine Nakaayi who is sponsored by the Scurletis family.

Students Bake for QuartersForWater  

Old Mill School students Madison Rubin, Emily Kauffman and Jessica Brehm are determined to help students at St. Lawrence School get clean water. Their delicious brownies, chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate weekend sale raised $52.97 in just 2 hours.




Not to be out done by their friends, other Old Mill School students were also committed to the QuartersforWater project. Celia Tave, Riley Rademacher, Jordan Chece and Carly Chece held a successful bake sale at their last soccer game raising $63. by selling their homemade baked goods and drinks!  A big thanks to Old Mill School students!

 

Feb 2012 Newsletter

FEBRUARY  2012

ChangeALife Uganda.org

Gushing Water Ends Jerry Cans

Filled with Pond Water

Can you imagine the joy and excitement at the St. Lawrence School as the news traveled from student to student and teacher to teacher that clean water was gushing from the first QuartersForWater drilling site a half mile from the school. No more jerry cans filled with pond water! A real reason for rejoicing! Not only is the water sufficient for the school and health center's current needs, but for its projected growth. Because of you continuing support CALU achieved what no one else had been able to do in Migyera as evidenced by the shallow wells now broken and dry.     In 2010, QuartersForWater funds enabled CALU to purchase 1 water tank for the health center, 4 water tanks for the St. Lawrence School, and gutters on the roof to collect the rain. The success of this system is purely dependent upon the annual rainfall in the region. While this has greatly improved the quality of life at the school, this system is unreliable as a long-term solution.    Private donations, a grant from Merck & Co. Inc., and the leadership of educators in teaching students to understand their role in addressing global challenges in today's world enabled us to take the next steps toward a permanent solution: drilling a deep well. After an extensive hydrological survey, we drilled a 510' deep well in November 2011. The excitement of finding a plentiful supply of water for the school and health center in this semi-arid land is hard to contain. It is amazing that water was found on the first try. All of us, students, parents and those who contributed to Quarters for Water can celebrate with our CALU staff and students in Uganda the great success of this project.   Next Phase  Fr. Lawrence recently reported on our next steps: "What we need is to get water from the drilled hole to a main tower and then distribute it. This sounds simple, but it is something that requires a design based on a topographical survey to know the make up of the land from the well to the school, how the pipe will be laid to avoid various obstacles and eliminate future damage to the water pipe line. From this survey, we shall know the exact costs involved."    During 2012, our focus is to raise funds to complete the project: a permanent well, pump, water tank, and pipeline system. This will allow the school to have access to a sustainable water source. You can celebrate the United Nations World Water Day on March 22nd by going to our website and making a donation to QuartersForWater and help give clean water to our children.  To learn more, click QuartersForWater to view our video. Click here and choose "bulleted list" of ideas in the 3rd paragraph to help you lead this initiative at your school or in your community and call CALU President, Jean Semler for additional information. Thank you in advance for your leadership and participation. Your leadership affords all of us the opportunity to become active global citizens.

Please visit us: www.changealifeuganda.com                          or call:                                                                            Jean Semler CoFounder and President 732 899 8483 Address for Letters to Uganda: Change A Life Uganda Foundation P.O.Box 23469 Kampala, Uganda

Dec 2011 Newsletter

DECEMBER  2011

ChangeALife Uganda.org

World AIDS Day 

ChangeALife Uganda observed World AIDS Day on Dec 1, by participating in an employee awareness program at the Vaccine Division of Merck & Co. Karen Hinckley and Jean Semler, retired Merck employees, shared with employees John Kanaras, Kristie Faust and Rodney Holcomb, members of Merck's HIV marketing team, the challenges our parents encounter in trying to access treatment for HIV in Migyera and Nabbingo, Uganda. ChangeALife Uganda has already witnessed the death of three infected parents. Without treatment, more of our children will become orphans. To prevent this, ChangeALife Uganda initiated a small support program in 2010 to help parents access care.  A $500 donation annually covers medication, testing, transportation to clinic appointments and nutrition. We currently have 16 parents participating in our program. We are in need of support to continue providing health care services to these parents and, importantly, to expand the program to others. The need is great: there are 1.2 million orphans in Uganda resulting from the AIDS epidemic. Our goal is to support the health of our parents and children by providing quality HIV care. 

 

Jean Semler and Karen Hinckley with Merck employees John Kanaras, Kristie Faust and Rodney Holcomb at Merck's World AIDS Day event.

Matheny Medical and Education Center 

enjoys African Day fundraiser 

 The Matheny Medical and Education Center in Peapack, NJ, our new partner in providing resources to the disabled in Uganda, enjoyed African Day at their center. Free lunch was offered to staff across all 3 shifts and it was asked that the $2.00 lunch fee be donated to ChangeALife Uganda. So far, $461.15 has been raised which is a wonderful result from folks who earn a modest salary. As part of the festivities, the kitchen staff prepared a delicious African inspired meal. Staff of African decent dressed in their native costumes. which raised awareness. Some of the countries represented were Zimbabwe, Eithopia, Liberia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Ghana. It was very heartwarming to see the enthusiasm of the staff and an enjoyable day was had by all. 

 

Tuition For Tots-To-Teens 

Johnson & Johnson's giving spirit reaches across the globe Johnelle Whipple, a sponsor, heads up J&J Baby Marketing team. The team sponsors 6 CALU children and sent each one of them a package. As part of the sponsorship, the packages included letters written by team members, an outfit for each child, school supplies, games, and even postcards and maps of New Jersey, so the children can learn more about geography around the world and where the team is from. 

 

Namutosi Ritahin her new purple dress, surrounded by package sent from the J&J team 

New Microscope Aids Malaria Testing 

Microscopic examination of a patient's blood is the definitive test for malaria. During our July visit to Uganda, Timothy Okello, clinical officer at the Nabbingo Health Center, noted that this vital testing frequently was interrupted because electrical outages disabled the center's microscope, delaying diagnosis and patient treatment. Susan Peacock, RN, nurse at Old Mill School in Wall, New Jersey learned of this major problem and provided a solution. She donated a manual microscope owned by her late husband, Dr. Jay Peacock. This fine instrument can be used independently of interrupted power supplies. The staff and patients of the Nabbingo Health Center are very grateful for this life-saving gift. 

 

Rumson Second Graders exceed expectations 

The Second Graders of the Rumson Country Day School are the latest students at the school to support the mission of ChangeALife Uganda. Teachers Mrs. Figarola, Mrs. Amann and Ms. Valerio hosted a special assembly for the students and their parents to learn about ChangeALife Uganda projects in education, health care and micro-finance. They were most interested in the urgent effort to complete construction of a health clinic within walking distance to the St. Lawrence School in Mygera. Once equipped and staffed, the health clinic will provide needed health services to the students and their families. This will be the only health clinic in the region. The RCDS students and families set a goal of raising $400 and they have been so successful they have donated to-date, $1,400. One parent commented: "This is such a great cause and I am so pleased to know exactly where our donation will be going and to what." Ms. Valerio has been an avid supporter of ChangeALife Uganda - she joined the CALU Team visiting Mygera in 2009. The charity expects to have the clinic open its doors in January 2012.

 

The children have ended their school year and send warm thanks to their sponsors wishing each "Sekukkulu Ennungi" - Happy Christmas in Luganda. 

 

Artwork by Nakjoba Enid who is sponsored by Nancy and Wayne Shellock.