Elizabeth House

We have been able to take our short term volunteers to Elizabeth House several times this spring and summer. Elizabeth House, located in Mukono, is about an hours drive from Rafiki. We first got connected here when we were looking for a home that would be a perfect fit for Mary. 
 

We love coming here to be with Mary and its a great opportunity to love on the other 30+ students that are at Elizabeth House. This is a place where children "rejected by society and often by their families, find love, care, encouragement, and a sense of identity and purpose. As these young people discover themselves and their potential, joy replaces misery and hope overcomes despair."  Their mission is "to bring hope to children with disabilities and their parents, and create a positive attitude towards them in the community." 

"These children have autism, Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, malaria, induced palsy, learning and other disabilities. Some walk, some talk and others don't do either. When they first come to Elizabeth House many do not know how to keep themselves clean, dress themselves or go to the toilet because they haven't been taught these essential life skills. In African culture, having a child with a disability can be seen as a curse and is an embarrassment. Parents use children at an insurance plan, hoping that one day when they are too old to work their children will help them financially. However disabled children are often seen as useless and are resented. Many of them are left alone in a house by themselves all day long, stuck on a couch or mat, while their parents are at work; there is little awareness of the needs and potential of disabled children. They feel isolated, lack confidence and lose many feelings of self-worth.

Our children come to Elizabeth House and here they learn to live. Here they find love, acceptance and attention. They are treated as valued individuals and learn life skills. They are fed with nutritious food and receive physiotherapy. Here we see to enable them to live to their full potential."

The laughter, the learning, the dancing, the listening and the sharing that happens during our time with Mary and these precious kids leave a beautiful image in my head - one of peace and joy. Being with these hilarious and truly beautiful kids is an incredible image of His redemption of each of us. It consistently humbles and amazes me the patience, the quiet (or loud!) joy that exudes from them! From the moment we pull into the gate, there is big smiles that great us and often tears from us and them as we are saying our goodbyes - our time with them is full and beautiful! Lots of dancing and singing, as well as a few actors demonstrating our bible stories before we sit with them for lunch. In the afternoons we do rotations, 3 or 4 stations lasting 10-15 min that are designed to encourage physical and social development including identifying colors and shapes, fine motor skills, language, and simple fun through dancing or chasing bubbles.

 

 From my first visit at Elizabeth House, one sweet girl has been on my heart. Her name is Maurine. Her constant smile grows and her eyes light up when I walk into the room, a tight hand squeeze and a "welcome back" greet me each time. Her tenacity, her patience, her grace with me and with others, her sweet laughter and bright mind leave me amazed and so thankful for her! I treasure my moments with her and am so thankful that she has the staff and environment of Elizabeth House to be growing in! 

 

Mary is doing so well, we have noticed a lot of improvement in her physically while she has been at Elizabeth House. We are so thankful for those that have chosen to sponsor Mary, because of them we are able to make sure that she receives the care at Elizabeth House that she needs! Here are some fun pictures of her from this summer! 

 

Written By : 

Kailey Jensen

Volunteer Coordinator / Admin

For more information about Elizabeth House and the great work they are doing, visit them at http://www.elizabethhouseuganda.org/!

Sanyu Babies Home

     Sanyu means “joy” in Luganda, the local language, and is located on Namirembe Hill in downtown Kampala. It started in 1929 and was the first and is the oldest Babies Home in Uganda. They care for up to 50 babies and toddlers, aging between 1 day and 4 years old, at any given time. Most of these babies are abounded and found in pit latrines, ditches, taxi parks, garbage heaps or left by the side of the road then brought by the police to Sanyu; babies are left by the gate at all hours of the day and night by families that don’t want them or feel they can’t provide for them. 

     With so many children, you can imagine there is a great need for extra hands all the time! With loads of dirty laundry to wash, buckets of laundry to hang out to dry on the lines, mountains of laundry to fold and sort, tubs full of dishes to wash, diapers to change, tears to dry, games to play, muscles to help develop, positive interactions needing to happen, feeding and bathing multiple times a day, hugs and cuddles to be given, there are unending things needing to be done.  It’s one of my favorite and hardest parts of the week, to be surrounded by so many children that desperately need clean diapers and food but more than anything, they need love and someone to care about them. There’s something about walking into a room of babies a few months old, sitting on the floor and having them crawl over to sit in your lap… Going there each week means that I get to know their names, I get to see their personalities develop, celebrate the milestones of a new tooth or taking the first steps, I get to see their smiles when they recognize me and catch them as they try to jump into my arms. I’m not a substitute for the family they don’t have, but I can hold and cuddle, I can giggle with them and wipe the tears, I can pray over them and beg the Lord to provide for them in every way…

     There is a room that the smallest babies are in, the ones that are a few days or weeks old. Sometimes there are some soft gurgles and baby noises coming out of small beds, sometimes tiny arms and legs are stretching towards the sky with baby marathons being run in the air, and sometimes it’s quiet with big brown eyes looking up at the ceiling in silent wonder. I go in and pull a sweet little one into my arms, letting the bottle cool while hungry lips are seeking and for a few minutes I can sit in the quiet at a tiny table to pray over them while rocking back and forth, offering comfort and sustenance.  As the bottle slowly empties I ask the Lord to bless them with unending grace, I pray that no matter what happens they would grow into life knowing that they are loved desperately by Him and by a woman who prayed over them once upon a time in a small, quiet room.

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I asked Jenny to share about her experience at Sanyu and this is what she said this : 

At Sanyu you will find yourself folding clothes, washing dishes, sorting beans and our personal favorite holding the babies and toddlers.  Around feeding time we all pile in the feeding room and grab a hot bowl of rice or potatoes and start feeding tiny babies to toddlers. Then after milk bottles for the small ones we change diapers and outfits and get them ready for nap time.  Sometimes you find a baby that touches your heart and you can't bare to let go so you do what your heart tells you and you hold on to that baby lavishing him or her with kisses and hugs and soft whispers in the ear.

- Jenny Moser

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Written by : Kailey Jensen  

To find out more of what they are doing, you can visit their website at http://www.sanyubabies.com/  

Meet Mary!

Meet Mary!

 Mary has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. In Uganda there is a stigma attached to children with disabilities. Many even think they are cursed or possessed by demons. Her father and mother abandoned Mary as soon as she started showing symptoms of having a disability. She was alone, hungry, filthy, and living almost 24 hours a day lying on the floor in the corner of a dark shack. Her maternal grandmother was caring for her the best way that she could. However, she had little resources and could no longer care for Mary. She asked for our assistance in taking Mary into the Rafiki Children’s Home and caring for her.

Because of her cerebral palsy, Mary has the mental capacity of a very young child. She cannot talk although she likes making noises and loves to laugh. She can walk around, go up and down stairs, and we have to catch her before she climbs on the table. She is a very active little girl….like a monkey.

She doesn’t have the fine motor skills to feed herself. But she has learned how to use a sippy cup and is gradually learning how to grab objects. She develops improved muscle strength and coordination with patience and practice.

Mary is currently being cared for at Elizabeth House. Elizabeth House is a home for children with special needs. After staying with us for a year at the Rafiki Home, we felt that Mary needed more attention and specialized therapy that we could not provide for her. She now is in a loving, Christian Children’s Home that just cares for children with various disabilities and special needs. We visit Mary many times throughout the year. Since going to Elizabeth House, she has improved in many areas. Her coordination and walking are getting better each day.

Mary is an easy-going, happy girl who enjoys just simple touch from others…..she loves hugs and being carried! She loves cupcakes, having her back rubbed, being held, and is very ticklish. Baths and cold drinking water is a couple of her least favorite things.

By : Sara Hamilton 

Director / Founder of Rafiki

 

 

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For the next few weeks we will be posting stories of all the kids here at Rafiki Africa Ministries (RAM). We want to give these kids a voice. There are more struggling kids here in Uganda than anyone is able to count. Here are the stories of 13 kids who's lives were changed by God through the work of RAM. We want to make you a part of this work, there is so much love and joy overflowing out of the Rafiki Home and we want you to experience this through these stories. We hope you can get to know the kids through these updates and we pray that you will fall in love with them just as we have. 

Be a part of the changes God continues 

to make in the lives of these kids. 

Make a difference. 

Spread the word.

 Rafiki Africa Ministries

Meet Don!

Meet Don!

Don is a brave and sweet boy, after having his teeth removed he never once complained! His one toothed smile lights up the room and his sweet laughter brings so much joy! He loves playing with toy cars – zooming and vrooming around the house and compound! He loves playing with the other children, quick to offer comfort to anyone who is in pain and coax a smile out of them. Don is a little cuddle bug, crawling up into your lap or giving big sloppy kisses. He loves listening to Aunties reading books and shading (drawing). Curious and intelligent, he is a quick learner and likes learning new things like his numbers, shapes, colors and letters from the Aunties at home!

 

History

Don’s mother died while giving birth to him. His father is disabled, having lost both arms and so was unable to care for him. Before he came to us he was living in hunger and poverty at another orphanage – it was over maximum capacity and so he had gone for days without eating. At 2 ½ years old, Don’s teeth were rooting and decaying from malnutrition – he had to have 16 of his 20 teeth pulled to prevent severe infection. He was one of over 3 million destitute, orphaned children living in the streets and slums of Uganda. But Don is NO longer one of these children because he is now part of our Rafiki Family where he receives all the love and care he needs!

Funky Facts!

Favorite things…   
Color: Green    Animal: Lion

Food: Chicken and Rice

Game: Tag      Activity: Playing with toy trucks

Volunteer Corner

The other night I was on the upstairs balcony going to my bedroom. It was dark outside and if it weren’t for his bright red Thomas the Train pajamas, little Don would have been nearly impossible to spot. I looked over the edge of the railing and whispered his name and he looked up at me suddenly with his adorable, toothless grin. He whispered back at me, “Auntie Stephan, come down and see me!”. I couldn’t resist his sweet request and I walked down the stairs and sat with him on the very bottom step in complete darkness. He sat there telling me about his day while sitting on the bottom step. I guess “sitting” isn’t the best way to describe it. Don doesn’t sit. He was most definitely chillin’- as if he were a 20 year old surfer. It was getting late and he needed to be going to bed. He wouldn’t go. Not out of stubbornness, but because he wanted to hang out with me. He told me we should stay down there all night and talk. I would have loved to stay with him longer but he’s only 4 and isn’t quite at the right age to be pulling all-nighters. With some convincing, he finally gave me a hug and a kiss and scrambled off to bed. Don is precious. I love him dearly. And I really hope that it’s a long time before I wake up and he really is a 20 year old surfer!

                                                                     By Stephanie Madrid

                                    Childcare Worker

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  For the next few weeks we will be posting stories of all the kids here at Rafiki Africa Ministries (RAM). We want to give these kids a voice. There are more struggling kids here in Uganda than anyone is able to count. Here are the stories of 13 kids who's lives were changed by God through the work of RAM. We want to make you a part of this work, there is so much love and joy overflowing out of the Rafiki Home and we want you to experience this through these stories. We hope you can get to know the kids through these updates and we pray that you will fall in love with them just as we have. 

Be a part of the changes God continues to make in the lives of these kids. 

Make a difference. 

Spread the word.

 Rafiki Africa Ministries

Meet Annet!

Meet Annet!

Annet is our girly-girl with a sweet personality – bring on the pink and pretty! She loves playing with dolls and dressing up, our fashionista lets the Aunties and other kids know if we are “looking smart (well dressed)” or not! Annet likes going to our local school, Little Rina that she attends for a few hours each morning where she is learning her ABC’s, numbers and colors. With her quick smile and sensitive heart, she loves to help the other kids and aunties with whatever arises each day - picking up the towels, putting away laundry, sweeping the floor, bringing water to sweaty kids or comforting sick or injured friends!  She is very bright and a quick learner, asking questions and curious about life! She always wants to shade (color), and just like her art work she brings joy and color to our family here!

History

Both of Annet’s parents died of HIV/AIDS and a neighbor had taken her in temporarily but was unable to care for her. She came to us severely malnourished and in desperate need of a loving family and home. She was one of over 3 million destitute, orphaned children living in the streets and slums of Uganda. But Annet is NO longer one of these children because she is now part of our Rafiki Family where she receives all the love and care she needs!

Funky Facts!
Favorite things…  

 Color: Yellow    Animal: Zebra 

Food: Chicken and Rice    Game: Tag  Activity: Dancing & drawing

Volunteer Corner

I love the way the way that Annett throws back her head when she laughs. Its like she can’t keep the joy inside, she just has to express it with her whole body. With such a sensitive heart, she’s usually the first one to laugh when something funny happens but also the first to be upset when she senses something is wrong. Sometimes I look at her and catch myself laughing and shaking my head at her silliness, she gets so much joy out of bringing joy to others! And sometimes I feel a crack in my heart when the big crocodile tears slide down her face because something has upset her…

     I love our good night ritual where she runs and jumps into my arms and then pretends to fall asleep (complete with obnoxious but very authentic snoring attempts!) and I have to carry her in and put her in her bed. She likes putting her nose right under my ear and snuggling in and then she whispers “Okwagala nnyo (I love you very much)” right before I plop her in her bed… How I treasure her whispers of love, spontaneous hugs and infectious laughter… How my heart aches over her crocodile tears or moments of being withdrawn.   

    Sometimes I forget what a testament of redemption her life is, just in her first few years. Even in the missing answers we have of her past, I can clearly see how the Lord has protected her life and heart, how He has set aside her for something important in the future. I feel so blessed that I get to see glimpses of how the Lord provides and how deeply He cares for us through Annett’s life. I'm so excited to see how He grows her into a women after His own heart!

By: Kailey Jensen 

Long Term Volunteer

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

  For the next few weeks we will be posting stories of all the kids here at Rafiki Africa Ministries (RAM). We want to give these kids a voice. There are more struggling kids here in Uganda than anyone is able to count. Here are the stories of 13 kids who's lives were changed by God through the work of RAM. We want to make you a part of this work, there is so much love and joy overflowing out of the Rafiki Home and we want you to experience this through these stories. We hope you can get to know the kids through these updates and we pray that you will fall in love with them just as we have. 

Be a part of the changes God continues to make in the lives of these kids. 

Make a difference. 

Spread the word.

 Rafiki Africa Ministries