Good morning!
Happy first week of October. October means fall is here! For you that may mean the air is turning cool, the leaves are changing to golden and glowing as they ready for the winter, and warm flavors and cozy food are making their appearance again. For us in Uganda, October means one word: r a i n.
Or better yet – MUD. We are praying and expectantly awaiting the days of drizzle – enough to nourish and grow our food already planted in the soil.
I arrived in Uganda on the last Sunday of August after two months of being stateside. My time in the U.S. was abundant. My warmest regards to each of you who eagerly listened to my stories and testimonies, offered big hugs and sincere prayers, extended warm meals, walked with, and loved me so tangibly during my stay. And to those which loved me at a distance – the nearness of your thoughts and prayers remained with me throughout my time in the place where my roots grew, and even now, where fruit is grown.
I recognize my delay in updating you all, but I come now with many exciting updates! Truly the Lord hears our prayers and considers us in mighty and gracious ways.
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In July a group of young girls in the community, daughters and granddaughters of the women in our women’s crafting group, insisted for a place to gather and learn tailoring.
Last year, during the first wave of the COVID-19 lockdown, many young girls in the community became pregnant or were given into early marriage. This year, as a result of the second country-wide lockdown, many young girls will fail to return to and finish school for a range of reasons including age, accessibility, and household responsibility. These girls, along with their mothers, grandmothers, and caretakers, recognized the importance of a meeting space where they could continue their education in pursuit of a trade that aligns with their long-term goals while also preventing avoidable challenges.
Since July, Father to the Fatherless has opened a space for these girls to gather, learn, encourage, and create. Not only are they learning hard skills such as tailoring and weaving; hairdressing and computers; and cooking and baking, but they are participating in daily prayer, devotionals, and counseling to encourage their overall health and wellbeing physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
During the same time, F2F acquired a two-acre plot of land in a nearby village with two unfinished structures. In August, the buildings were completed, and the property was established as a vocational training school to serve a vast parameter of young boys and girls. The vocational school will be a vital tool in equipping this next generation for a better future while actively combating the disorder and chaos COVID-19 has caused in education throughout rural Uganda.
Currently we are nearing 200 girls registered in the project and are preparing the vocational school with furniture, classroom structures, and learning materials. The vocational school will officially open in January, at which point the group for young girls and women’s crafting group will merge under one roof while also extending to young boys in the surrounding communities. The vocations offered will include tailoring, hairdressing, culinary arts, weaving, jewelry making, welding, computers and information technology, small business management, and engineering.
As we continue preparing the vocational school space, the girls currently registered and attending daily classes will remain for the next three months learning the trades of their choice and come January, they will test and graduate with a certificate of excellence in their skill.
In September, we were blessed with the capacity to purchase the first ten sewing machines.
As we have engaged these girls in teaching and counseling, we have come to hear the struggles they face daily. Nearly all of them expressed the hardship they face during their periods – their inability to purchase pads during their menstruation forces them to cut their clothes to use as an alternative. In response, we designated a counseling session to teach about women's menstrual cycles and reproductive health and distribute reusable women’s hygiene pads created and donated by Days for Girls.
While the young girls have come daily to learn, the women’s crafting group has continued meeting twice a week. We have continued in weaving traditional baskets and mats, weaving bags and beads, and have expanded to various types of crafts created with yarn. Since July, six women have remained wholly committed to the group – to learn new skills and encourage one another. During September, I was able to visit each of them at their homes and hear their testimonies, share in their dreams, and imagine creative ways forward toward their long-term goals. There are few words to describe the testimonies given and the transformation seen.
To read their stories and stay more up to date on the daily activities of my life in Uganda, follow my Instagram @nmhloveuganda and my blog Loving the Little Children of the World.
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Our hope as we move forward is not only for these girls, women, and rising generation to learn skills and trades for the betterment of their futures and overall wellbeing, but to empower sustainable change in the community for generations to come. We are praying for wisdom and understanding as we prepare a foundation for what is to come; we are seeking an eternal perspective for we know this is not the work of our own hands and not for our own glory.
I was shaken awake this morning as I read the words of our Lord,
O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
And as if I had never read those words before or ever considered their application in my life, they soaked my soul this quiet Tuesday morning. It truly is all fleeting and futile if not a service offered unto the Lord for His glory. I hope these words awaken you - He is using you, as broken bread and poured out wine, in eternal and unseen ways. It is a scandalous thought: man to be used by God, but He is doing great and mighty works in the lives of His people. He is redeeming all of creation.
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Words are never enough to express the gratitude I have for each of you. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your love in seen and unseen ways. Thank you for walking alongside me as I walk alongside others in Uganda. Thank you for graciously giving and contributing to God's work here in Uganda and at Father to the Fatherless.
May the One who sees your sacrifice and outpouring of love reward you abundantly.
With gratitude & hugs,
Maama Colo
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