CMS Ireland Feed

Prayer Request: 02 June 2012

2012-05-17T14:30:41Z

DR CONGO, Kindu Diocese:
Pray for the Christians in the Diocese of Kindu that they may
remain faithful to God during this period of continued uncertainty and
insecurity following the outcome of the recent elections. Also pray for
the ongoing development work of the Church in Kindu, especially the
education and health programmes.

Prayer Request: 01 June 2012

2012-05-17T14:29:11Z

DR CONGO
Pray for Eastern DR Congo where rebel incursions again threaten
the peace of the area. May God give wisdom and love to the Congolese
leaders as they pray and advocate for peace.

Prayer Request: 31 May 2012

2012-03-21T12:35:05Z

St John’s Seminary, Kitwe: Pray for the appointment of a new Principal at the Seminary. Pray that the students may know God’s call on their lives and that they may experience His leading as they grow in their faith and prepare for ordination.

Prayer Request: 30 May 2012

2012-03-21T12:34:57Z

St John’s Seminary, Kitwe: Please pray for the Dean of Studies at St John’s Seminary, Rev Berry Muchemwa, as he facilitates courses and lectures.

Prayer Request: 29 May 2012

2012-03-21T12:34:25Z

ZAMBIA, Diocese of Northern Zambia: Pray for the missions to the refugee camp over the next four months. Pray for engagement with specific parishes by the Northern Zambia Diocesan Evangelism Team. Pray too for the diocese’s Community Outreach programmes which will have an emphasis on health and women’s empowerment.

Cathedral Cycle raises money for Ipalo Team

2012-05-28T00:00:00Z

Last weekend Brian Acheson and Ronny Martin, parishioners from St. Columba’s, Knock, undertook a Cathedral Cycle Marathon across Northern Ireland to assist with the fundraising.

Their marathon began at Down Cathedral early on Saturday morning and their first stop was at St. Columba’s where they were met by parishioners and the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Right Rev. Harold Miller. After refreshments provided by the Diocesan President of The Mothers’ Union, Roberta Rogers, the cyclists departed for St. Anne’s Cathedral, Lisburn Cathedral, Dromore Cathedral, Armagh Cathedral and finally to Clogher Cathedral where they were joined by their wives Alison Acheson and Jayne Martin.

Early on Sunday morning Brian and Ronny left Clogher and travelled to Enniskillen Cathedral, where they were warmly welcomed to join the congregation for the service. They were joined by the Rector of St. Columba’s, Knock, The Rev. John Auchmuty, who gave a short address about the forthcoming Zambia trip. After the service, the final stage of the marathon cycle took Brian and Ronny to Derry Cathedral, bringing their total journey to 180 miles and eight cathedrals.

Speaking after the completion of the journey, Rev. Auchmuty said:

“In my Address at last year’s Easter Vestry, I spoke about my hopes to explore the feasibility of providing parishioners with an opportunity to serve God overseas. I am delighted that those hopes will shortly become a reality. This marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the life and ministry of our parish.

“They are a strong team with many diverse gifts and talents, which I experienced for myself when I visited them recently in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute in Dublin for a training weekend facilitated by David Gough, CMS Ireland’s Partnership Co-Ordinator. It is very encouraging to see the team members receiving such strong financial and prayerful support from the parish and the community and I wish to convey my grateful thanks and appreciation to the Deans and the cathedral congregations for their support throughout the cycle marathon.”

Anyone wishing to contribute towards this marathon fundraising effort should contact the CMS Ireland office or St Columba’s.

Prayer Request: 28 May 2012

2012-03-21T12:33:48Z

SOUTH SUDAN, Maridi Diocese: Pray for the new Diocesan Youth Coordinator, Captain Wilson Junior, that God will guide and bless him in his work with the young people in Maridi Diocese

Prayer Request: 27 May 2012

2012-03-21T12:33:34Z

SOUTH SUDAN, Maridi Diocese: Thank God for the three health workers who have joined the staff at Bethsaida Clinic after their training in Uganda. Pray that God will bless them and their work.

Prayer Request: 26 May 2012

2012-03-21T12:33:24Z

SOUTH SUDAN, Maridi Diocese: Please pray for the families who have returned to Maridi from North Sudan. Pray that they will easily adjust and cope with local life in Maridi, and in the new South Sudan.

Prayer Request: 25 May 2012

2012-03-21T12:32:30Z

IRELAND, CMS Ireland Staff: Pray for Parish Development Worker Andy McCormick as he works out of the Dublin office and connects with rectors, supporters and parishes throughout the south of Ireland. Give thanks for the relationships Andy has developed in the Dublin area and the new contacts he has made in the Diocese of Cork.

Prayer Request: 24 May 2012

2012-03-21T12:32:22Z

IRELAND, CMS Ireland Staff: Pray for Partnership Coordinator David Gough as he concentrates on developing Link Relationships between parishes in Ireland and Global Partners in DR Congo, Egypt, South Sudan, and Zambia. Pray too for David’s work in helping prepare a number of META teams for visits later this year.

Our Blog is now live!

2012-05-24T00:00:00Z

At the end of July, 10 parishioners from St. Columba’s Parish Church, Knock, Belfast are heading out to Northern Diocese in Zambia for a 2-week Mission Experience Team Abroad. This blog will be home to all sorts of info and photos from the team.

Below is an interview which appeared recently in our parish magazine explaining something about the trip.

The Editor Interviews … The Curate about the Zambia 2012 Trip

Much has been written in The Columban in recent editions about the forthcoming trip to
Zambia. In this Edition, the Editor interviews Team Leader Robert Ferris about the Mission
Team and what it is hoping to achieve, what the team will be doing and how preparations
are going.

Ed: Robert, take us back to the beginning and tell us how the idea of a team to Zambia
developed.

RF: The idea of a team was first mooted in the Rector’s Easter Vestry address in 2011 and a sub-group of Vestry formed which met and looked at lots of locations, projects and partner organisations. A report was formed and a vestry decision was made to look further into the prospect of Zambia. We then contacted Church Mission Society Ireland (CMSI)who were extremely supportive of the idea of an all-age team from our parish. I was very keen to renew links with Zambia which is a location which as of late has not hosted teams from Ireland since my last team in 2007.

Ed: So the decision to go ahead was made – what was the process from then to now?

RF: Right from the beginning we contacted the Bishop of Northern Zambia, Archbishop
Albert Chama – who originally gave me an invitation to come back any time – and he was delighted to issue an invition to St. Columba’s parishioners to come along … we have been on a creative journey – in the Autumn we publicised an open meeting to which we invited parishioners, CMSI and myself presented the idea of the team, handed out application forms and arranged interviews. Since then the team which was selected by CMSI has been on trainning regime which includes topics such as – Cultural Awareness, Songs, Dramas, talks, language, health issues, child protection, games, learning about the geography of Zambia, the church in Africa and loads of other things.

Ed: How is the team coming together?

RF: We have an absolutely fabulous teams – with great complimentary skills and gifts … I am looking forward to seeing what this team will accomplish in the two weeks we are out in Zambia but also what they will accomplish when we get home.

Ed: What will the team be doing when you get to Zambia?

RF: This team is very much about developing the foundations of a relationship with
the Diocese of Northen Zambia. Whilst in Zambia we will be very busy – we will be
meeting people in churches, helping out at the Educational Facility which the Archbishop is developing which includes Primary, secondary and adult education. We will be in classrooms, out visiting homes in townships around Kitwe, we will be visiting development projects, hopefully assisting in some manual work as we see how people live in Zambia and how the community are lifting themselves out of poverty. We will be experiencing first hand the issues of living in one of the poorest nations in the world.

Ed: A lot is planned on the trip … what do you hope this trip will achieve?

RF: I have big dreams for this trip – I would hope that this will be a spark for something really exciting – Firstly for the Zambian’s we meet – I hope that our team will bring with them enthusiasm and be able to share what we have (in terms of our gifts, talents, finance… any anything else we have) with our partners in Zambia. I also hope that this enthusiasm will be sustained when we get home and share our story and that this relationship will develop long into the future. I am hoping in the next month to develop a team at home who will be able to help sustain this Zambian partnership for years to come.

I have big dreams for team members as well – I hope that as we experience all that we
will experience in Zambia that the issues we meet will be discussed and that all will get a sense of the global problems and have a positive experience as to how we can make a difference to people on the other side of the world as well as the idea that how we use our resources can impact on individuals lives. I also hope that this experience of the global church will have impact in all of our lives.

Ed: Finally, What else needs to be done before the team get on to the plane?

RF: Ian, there is so much… We have visas to get, forms to fill in, more trainning to complete, tee-shirts and hoodies to design, prayer news to write, songs to practice, games to learn, lessons to plan in the midst of this we are still fundraising – but all of this is very much on target – if anyone would like to help in any way please do not hesitate to contact me at the curatage or any of the team and I am sure we all would be very appreciative of the support.

Grace

2012-05-03T00:00:00Z

It was at a wedding at St Philips, a small parish church in Arua, when I got a phone call from home telling me that my mum had said it was time to return to the Netherlands. Flight arrangements were made immediately and two weeks later she left her life on earth. That was in 2008.

Yesterday, I was again at St Philips, this time for a service to give thanks for the life of Sister Grace. Her heavenly Father had called her home too.

The church was full – Sister Grace was a senior nurse at the local hospital and was well respected. She meant a lot for people around her and especially for mothers with HIV/AIDS. Her life was a testimony of her relationship with Jesus Christ and now a comfort for those who mourned her loss but shared her faith.

The burial was today in the village. It took the whole day. The hospital had arranged for transport to go the funeral site. Women sang hymns during the bus ride to get there. There are so many funerals here in Arua that you hear it all the time: pick-ups, lorries full of people singing on their way to a funeral, and one does not give it much thought. This time it felt different being one of them and I could sense the comfort of singing together.

At arrival the waiting started. Plenty of time to think. The bus went to and fro to get everyone gathered and finally the service started.

During the ceremony I recognised so many familiar faces; hospital staff, clergy, children of Sister Grace, her oldest sister. Memories were flooding back, from the time that Sister Grace was still undergoing chemotherapy in Kampala (something she did not take for granted as most Ugandans will not be able to afford the costs). Sister Grace was then telling about her childhood, her family, her training and work as a nurse, hardship and blessings. She shared her faith and we had a very special time when also her oldest sister joined in for prayer. By then she still had the hope of spending some more time with her loved ones here but realised that the end could be very hard. Bringing it all before the Lord in prayer was a tremendous comfort for all three of us. It still is.

Many mothers from the project, attending the funeral, were sobbing their hearts out. Sister Grace would come to the hospital every day, whether she was on duty or not, to see to the HIV mothers that delivered that day or night. To give the new born babies all the chances she could give, to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child. Her life with us has not been a lost life. So many people shared that Sister Grace has been a shining example of God’s love for the world. Her service here on earth has ended and she is called Home.

It made me realise once more that whatever we can now do in Christ’s name has value for ever.

Not a fan

2012-04-27T00:00:00Z

I’m not a fan

My job is to assume that everything at the Hospital will at some point stop working. I need to have a plan for when that happens. Most people think my ‘everything will break’ outlook is very pessimistic. But Noah didn’t wait for the rain to start before building the Ark.

In the same way, the only thing we can be sure of is that one day our body will stop working. We need to have a plan. Many people plan to wait until the last minute before turning to God. I think that’s because people see following Jesus as a waste of life. Unfortunately, some Christians don’t help to dispel this idea.

A few years ago we decided to do what the Bible actually says. We decided to actually follow Jesus. He led us into an adventure. This new life has had many struggles and difficulties but it is also a great privilege to serve God here in this way. God has been with us and protected us from day one and we can see Him working. God doesn’t promise an easy life – Jesus told us, “In the world you will have trouble”. Then He added, “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

We believe we are in God’s will and that’s where life comes alive – that’s where we discover what we were made for and what our true purpose is.

If you think Christianity equals a boring life – well, it can be pretty dull if we don’t fully surrender our lives to God. If we really follow Jesus we will discover real life.

One reason for turning to God is to get a ticket to Heaven, to avoid Hell. That’s why many people wait until their time here is nearly up. Personally, I would like to think I would choose to follow Jesus even if there was no after-life. Even if life ended completely when my blood stops pumping I would like to think I would still aim to live for God. Thankfully this isn’t the case but it’s something to think about.

Recently some friends visited us from Derrylin Parish. They left a book for us to read; ‘Not a fan’ by Kyle Idleman. I am now reading it for the second time. This book asks the crucial question: Are you a follower of Jesus or just a fan? Here’s an extract:

“The dictionary defines a fan as ‘an enthusiastic admirer’. Fans want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires sacrifice. Fans may be fine with repeating a prayer, attending church on the weekend, and slapping a Jesus fish of the back of the car. But is that really the extent of the relationship Jesus wants?

“Jesus was never interested in having admirers. It’s not fans He is looking for.”

I would challenge you to ask yourself – Am I a fan or a follower of Jesus? Don’t compare yourself with those around you. Don’t assume everything is fine because you are more ‘spiritual’ than the next guy. Ask yourself – do I know Jesus or do I just know about Him? Ask yourself – am I interested in what God can do for me or what I can do for God?

Some people will be put off by the fact that we ended up in rural Africa. Maybe you have a family and other responsibilities that prevent you from dropping everything. Well, following Jesus doesn’t mean you need to live in the jungle where there’s no Dominos Pizza. You can serve Jesus wherever you are – the needs in this world are everywhere and are growing. All God wants is for you to hand over the controls of your life to Him. Let Him show you how your life was planned. Let God show you the value of knowing Him.

“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ”. Phil 3:7-8.

Paul (not a fan)

UK break, All Nations, pastoral visit and training

2012-04-19T00:00:00Z

So much seems to be happening / about to happen that I’ve struggled to get to sleep for the last 2 nights! My head is very full. This letter is rather belated as I was on a wonderfully refreshing break over Easter in the UK (thanks to a generous friend paying my flights). I returned to Burundi on 16th with much to praise Jesus for; but with some things that are weighing heavily on my heart—particularly difficulties many friends seem to be having.

Whilst in the UK I had an interview at All Nations Christian College (see below), a meeting with iNet plus time with family, friends and a retreat. Thankfully I also had an appointment with my GP who said I had scabies! I had been itching like mad for 3 months. It was a huge relief to be diagnosed and treated. The GP had a good chuckle to herself as she said she hadn’t seen someone with scabies in years! We presume it was due to me staying in some less than salubrious guest houses for work in Burundi.

In March, I was so blessed to receive a second visit from Brockley Community Church’s leader and my good friend, Andy. It was partly pastoral, including an excellent review and planning with Onesphore and partly for Andy to give some input to Harvest, including at our retreat and with his Wellbeing course for Harvest club members in Bujumbura. Brockley’s relationship with Harvest and Burundi has been growing and this visit really cemented things whilst the Lord gave us much vision and passion for the future.

The Muramvya trauma healing training I asked you to pray for went extremely well. Onesphore and his wife Innocente, celebrated the birth of their third child, Daniel who is gorgeous.

Flame International arrived on Saturday, 21st April for 2 weeks of mission in Muyinga and Bujumbura Dioceses. Abel and a volunteer, Jean Pierre, will accompany them to Muyinga; I will stay with Cyrille and finish prep for their training in Bujumbura which we are organising: 100 church leaders for the first 3 days; then 50 leaders for the remaining 2 days’ prayer ministry workshop.

Study break at All Nations Christian College from Sept till June ‘13

I love working in Burundi and seeing God move here, but on a personal level living here has been for me both the best and hardest of times. Last year, whilst on retreat, I asked the Lord if I should continue in Burundi ‘til I could cope no longer or leave in summer ‘12—after 3.5 yrs— but potentially regret it. Thankfully God is more creative and I felt Him remind me that after Simon G’s first 3 yrs in Burundi, his mentors recommended he went to All Nations Christian College (www.allnations.ac.uk) for refreshment and input. God gave me Is 43:18-19, saying this was His plan for me at All Nations.

iNet, Brockley, Harvest and I prayed and discussed for 6 months until we felt confirmation of what God was saying. I have now been accepted to do a diploma there from Sept. in theology and intercultural studies. I will continue to support my colleagues in Burundi via skype etc. and will visit after Easter next yr. A British missionary family will rent my house in Buj. for the year. I plan to return to live in Burundi in Aug. ‘13. Please pray for this.

Prayer points:

- Praise for excellent Easter break in UK and place at All Nations.

- Pray I do all I need to during these next 2 months in Burundi, have much energy and good times people.

- God’s wisdom as to what to do with my car (which has broken down again and doesn’t seem worth repairing) plus my transport needs for next 2 months.

Where's my rib?

2012-04-17T00:00:00Z

Where’s my Rib?

Maybe some of you reading this have heard that statement before? But I assume most of you are like me who learnt it for the first time a few months ago. Referring to how God took a rib of Adams and made his perfect partner, Eve, from it, the question is essentially asking who your perfect partner is.

This was the title of a weekend event we were involved with at the Nurse Training School at Kiwoko. The school has around 160 students studying to be nurses or laboratory assistants. They are aged between 18 and 25 and are from all over Uganda. Last year we ran a week long mission for them and gave them the opportunity each evening to ask any question they wanted. The majority of the questions were on issues of relationships and so our team decided this year we needed to focus on this subject.

On the Friday evening we opened with the introduction of how God had created man and women to be in relationship together and the ideal of marriage. On Saturday we had a day of seminars dealing with the issues that sin brought into relationships. One seminar was Sexual Purity and Sexual Sin, the second was Dating and Courtship, and the final was choosing a Partner. On the Saturday night we focused on forgiveness and hope and making positive decisions for the future. It was really encouraging to see how much the students engaged in the seminars and confirmed for us how vital it was that these topics were being dealt with.

It may seem like these students were too old to be only hearing these issues from a Christian perspective now; wasn’t it too late? However we discovered from the Ugandan staff we were working alongside how the church here would often give strict instructions regarding rules before marriage but no help and advice. So these students would know what they shouldn’t do but not why they shouldn’t or any of the benefits in following these commandments. It is our hope that many students discovered this weekend the beauty of finding the partner that God intended for them and waiting for them.

Back in Bangor

2012-04-13T00:00:00Z

It is a surreal experience to be able to see with fresh eyes what was once everyday viewing – an experience that will no doubt disappear within a few weeks.

(Sorry for the slightly disjointed and random nature of my thoughts and observations – perhaps this reflects our state of mind at the moment).

It is rather tame to be driving along roads with no potholes or clouds of red dust hitting the windscreen as you follow the vehicles in front. Traffic here (for the most part) is orderly and congenial; traffic lights work and road maintenance is not dangerous to pedestrians or traffic. We’ve even been in cars with no handbrakes or keys and instead they tell you when to change gear, so that emissions are reduced – amazing! (perhaps?)

Where is everyone, I ask myself. Our street appears to be completely deserted; somehow neighbours can magic themselves into their vehicles and leave without being seen. No masses of pedestrians going to markets or school kids heading to the local primary and secondary schools. Compared to Kiwoko, it’s like the set from a futuristic, post-holocaust movie with apparently, no people remaining.

It is so quiet. No chattering between neighbours, builders or farmers during the day or noisy all-night prayer meetings nearby with loud psedo-tuneful keyboard playing competing with the local beat of the village disco on weekend nights.

Weather – well needless to say we feel like hibernating bears! It is freezing compared to the high temperatures that we have been living with in Uganda. The chill of the wind really bites into your bones and takes Gideon’s breath away when he steps outside. Everyone keeps commiserating with us about how we just missed some really lovely weather the week before we arrived home. I have looked forward to doing various things with Gideon like feeding the ducks at Ward Park (in Bangor), but it is soooo cold I don’t want to go out. When we open the car door to lift Gideon out and transfer him to the house he politely says, “No” and backs further into his car seat hoping to be allowed to stay in the heat of the car.

Grocery shopping is not a simple matter. Fresh bread on tap – how amazing and yummy. Fresh pasteurised milk, and numerous varieties of cheeses readily available. Negotiating self help check outs is a little unnerving for the first time again. The sheer selection of every type of food is a little overwhelming – coupons, bargains and all.

But don’t think it’s all bad –apart from warm showers, Gideon has been very impressed with buses, escalators, Hoovers, washing machines, a bath big enough to swim in and fires in the living room.

Change

2012-04-11T00:00:00Z

Dear Friends,

Conscious that not all of you receive our Link Letter, we have taken the liberty of including it here, on our blog. So here goes…

Kiwoko has seen many changes of late.

In March we moved back into the rainy season. The rains brought much relief as we had not had any since early December. The rains bring a complete change in the community with people out from early in the morning digging and planting – we pray that the rains will continue so people will reap a good crop.

The hospital has seen some significant changes too. There are many ongoing developments at the hospital including new staff housing and renovations to the paediatric ward. However it is changes in staffing that are often the most heartfelt.

After 9 years at Kiwoko we said goodbye to Alison Fletcher. Alison has overseen the development of the Physiotherapy Department at Kiwoko and more recently the HIV Department. We pray for Alison as she settles into life in the UK.

In addition Rory, Denise and Gideon have also returned home for a period of leave until September. We trust they will have a time of refreshment amongst their many visits and commitments.

Change is also on the horizon for us. We leave Kiwoko in September this year. Our future has been much in our thoughts and prayers. Ken has now gone part-time at Kiwoko – currently working 3 days per week at Kiwoko and 2 days per week in Kampala at the International Hospital. This is quite exploratory at the moment but may well lead to a full time post on leaving Kiwoko later this year. We pray that we will be faithful to God’s calling for the future.

Whilst working on the wards, Judith sees the change that Kiwoko Hospital makes in the lives and conditions of many patients. One such person is Prossy (name changed).

Prossy is a bright 11 year-old girl who, before falling sick, was doing very well making her way through primary school. She was admitted to hospital with multiple open wounds as a result of pressure sores. She has no feeling or function from the waist down, she is unable to walk, her back is unstable and she has difficulty sitting unsupported. She is suspected to have TB of the spine. Prior to Prossy’s admission it seems there had been little attention given to the care of her wounds or incontinence and at home she had just been spending the days lying on a mat, often indoors.

Despite needing continuing care, her hospital admission was nearly cut short as her mother stated they had no more money to cover her fees. The hospital agreed to cover these through the Good Samaritan Fund. This meant Prossy could remain in hospital until her wounds had properly healed – which they did.

During her time in hospital Prossy was provided with a wheelchair – far from ideal for her condition and size but at least a means of moving around having not done so for some months.

As part of her stay Prossy attended the rehab department. Through this she was able to engage in many purposeful and therapeutic activities to encourage function and enhance her quality of life and fun in the midst of her tragic reality. Hopefully with support from her mother, Prossy would carry on with some of these activities once home.

Though glad to be going home to see her friends it was not a huge surprise to learn that Prossy was sad to leave hospital. The nature of her medical condition would suggest that her long-term outlook was not great. We trust that her journey through Kiwoko Hospital made a positive change in her life.

As we write we are in the Easter season and at church we have been reading about Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. For Jesus, everything changed over the course of the next few days. From the crowds cheering him into the city as their political liberator they soon turned to condemn him to death shouting out “Crucify Him”. In those few days everything changed and has never been the same since.
Because he died we can look forward to eternal life. What an incredible message we have – a message that has changed, and continues to change, so many lives all around the world.

In the midst of whatever you are facing we pray that you would know the wonder of the Risen Lord in your life. He does change everything.

As ever, this comes with our deep gratitude for your continued support for ourselves and the work of Kiwoko Hospital.

God bless

Ken & Judith

The media value of human life

2012-03-07T00:00:00Z

Yesterday evening (6th March) Paul, our watchman, had been attending the local news and told me the horrific story that a truck had overturned not very far from where we are (10km from Arua town). This morning it turned out that the heavily overloaded lorry went through a small bridge and overturned into dam used for hydroelectric power. Already 27 deaths are confirmed, with 9 wounded, out of what was said to be 70 passengers on the lorry. Many were women returning from a market.

It is believed that the 34 missing passengers are still under the cargo from the lorry which will need to be lifted first with a heavy crane (normally not available in Arua) which probably has to come from Kampala (about 500 km from Arua).

Before I continue I hope you will pray for all the bereaved families, of which some have lost even 3 or more people from their family.

It was over a year ago that 27 people died in a bus accident in our region. I didn’t read a thing about it in the media outside Uganda. And up to now the same has happened in this case. It makes me sad to see so clearly that the value of human life here is so much lower than in many other places in the world, but it seems to be the naked truth.

School Fees

2012-03-04T00:00:00Z

“Madam, could we have our salary of January a bit earlier? The children are going back to school on Monday..”

It was Grace, our home help, during coffee time that morning when we were all enjoying our cup of hot coffee – in the dry season, mornings start off a bit cooler while the rest of the day is really hot. It’s the same every year.

In theory, education is free for kids that are going to primary government schools but in practice the parents are asked to pay money for the building fund, uniforms, writing materials, sitting exams and many other things. It is a struggle for most parents but they will do anything to get enough school fees for the first term.

Elize, our new volunteer for the coming months to do the Dutch home schooling in the afternoons, also works at a local government school and a private school during morning hours. Godfrey (watchman/gardener) and Grace were filling her in over coffee: government school classes generally consist of 100 pupils or more, with the teacher standing in front of the class and the first row of kids right there sitting at her feet on the floor. One thing will be sure, for Elize, it’ll be 3 months of very contrasting mornings and afternoons.

At the Vocational Training Center (VTC), most students have started their new course year now. Some are still getting their fees together and haven’t made it yet into the school compound. Those who did arrive are very keen to get a second chance to enroll in training. Many dropped out of the education system at an early stage and are therefore unable to attend other regular training institutions. Many young folk are just hanging out on the streets, trying to get odd jobs here and there. So, a practical training does give them a much better prospect on the job market.

Getting school fees together for a term at the VTC is a big issue for these youngsters, even though they only pay for their food so far (almost all trainees are boarding). Other costs like salaries of instructors and teaching materials are paid from different sources. The VTC is in the process of raising its percentage of self sustainability by working on local income generation for the school. It’s a slow process but is the only way forward. Raising the school fees too high will prevent too many needy students from entering the course.

“Madam, could I have payment for February and March as well please? Our landlord has problems with paying university fees for his son and demands an advance for the house we rent from him” It’s Grace again. The kids are back to school!

A CMS Ireland Team member reads the Bible during worship in Oltiasika, Kenya

2008-07-01T09:17:08Z

Kenyan Student gets to grips with the bible

2008-07-01T09:15:22Z

Rwandan women shade themselves from the sun...

2007-10-25T14:08:36Z

Mother and Child at a community clinic in Luwero

2007-10-25T14:08:32Z

A view of the Himalayas, Nepal

2007-10-25T14:08:31Z

Hand in hand - Fort Portal, Uganda

2007-10-25T14:07:55Z

Morning Worship at Kiwoko Hospital

2007-10-25T14:07:54Z

Rainbows arc over Victoria Falls in Zambia

2007-10-25T14:07:53Z

Sudanese Children peer through barbed wire in Maridi diocese, Sudan

2007-10-25T14:07:46Z

Ronan tries to catch the sunset in Zambia

2007-10-25T14:07:36Z