Tendo means “praise” in the Lugandan language. We praise God for leading us in a new initiative to help our older children reach their full potential! This step also offers an exciting opportunity to rescue more orphans!
Lulwanda's Secondary School boarding students are away most of the year. They only come home for about three months annually (on term breaks or on occasions when they are sick). This situation created what we call "the empty bed dilemma"- their beds remain empty and our capacity to care for them is unused about nine months of the year.
Lulwanda's rural setting makes it difficult to teach certain life skills that effectively prepare older children to successfully live on their own as productive Ugandan citizens. These young adults need to learn skills such as shopping in the local markets for their food and clothing, using public transportation, budgeting for their household, using bank accounts, and so on.
We are pleased to announce that we have signed a lease for a walled compound in the city of Mbale which includes 2 houses and a large outdoor area. Ten of the oldest Lulwanda children are now moving to this facility, which we have called Lulwanda Tendo. It is being painted and outfitted with furniture and household items. A Ugandan couple has been identified who will live there as houseparents.
Relocating the older children will allow us to bring 10 additional young orphans into Lulwanda Children’s Home! LCH staff are currently making visits to villages and homes of orphans identified by government officials, to verify their candidacy to move into Lulwanda. The staff are excited as they prepare for the arrival of the new children, who will join the family soon.
Generous donors have funded the start up and first year's operating costs for Tendo. We also have several people waiting to begin sponsoring the new children we will bring in to Lulwanda. Thank you!
Please join us in thanking God for His blessing on the lives of our older children through Lulwanda Tendo, while at the same time allowing us to rescue additional orphans and bring them into the Lulwanda family.
Thank you for doing your part in the Lulwanda story. Your prayers and financial support are vital in caring for the children that God has entrusted to us. God bless you.
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