March 2015 newsletter from Grace International Children's Foundation.
 
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Establishing sustainable loving homes for orphans in East Africa that develop children to reach their full potential.

Introducing Lulwanda Tendo!

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.  

Lulwanda Tendo
 
 Pictures from the Long School Break
New Christmas clothing. Thank you donors!
Younger girls in their new dresses.
Our guys are thankful for their new clothes
Lulwanda children, blessed to be a blessing, provide school shoes to their friends in the community through The Good Neighbor Program.
Keeping minds sharp - debate "Village Life is better than Town Life"
House Momma Agnes supervises making small doughnut-like treats
Swimming at Mt. Elgon Hotel pool
Freshmen Nabumali High School students in green: Siraji, Felix, Ivan Musambaki, and Patience Komugisha. 
Freshmen St. Paul's students in white: John, Anthony Wojjambuka, Abel, Denis, Michael, and Doreen Namasaba.


 

Secondary School News 

 
In Uganda there is a National Examination upon completion of Senior 4 (equivalent to 10th Grade) to determine if a student can continue in High School to S5 and S6. We are proud that all of our 7 candidates passed and will continue on to S5. 

Anthony Wanzala and Emma Ocaya have transferred from St. Marks College and will attend St. Mary's College in S5. They join 13 of their fellow LCH under classmates who are also at St. Mary's.  

S5 students Mercy, Doreen Kibukuna, Allen, Sylvia and Ivan Kuloba have also transferred and will attend St. Paul's College in Mbale. 

We have brought the students who used to attend St. Mark's College outside Kampala closer to home. Being close to Mbale allows the staff to visit more often and attend extra curricular activities without spending a lot of time or money traveling. The students love being closer to home - they feel very supported and not so isolated. 


Lulwanda currently has 47 students in secondary  boarding schools, 1 in a school for special needs and 60 in Lulwanda Primary School. We look forward to our new Pre-schoolers joining us soon!
Your partnership with Grace International Children's Foundation through donations and prayers is making a huge impact on the lives of many in Uganda.
Thank you. God bless you. 
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