July 30, 2010
"Africa is no place for perfectionists." --Peter Georges
Dear Friends,
We received the following handwritten letter in Uganda. We present it below, unedited.
Dear Sir,
REF: APOLICATION FOR BEING ASSISTED
I here by ask you kindly to include me in your programme of assisting un able children. I am called Nanyanzi aged 20 years. I stopped schooling in the year 202 because of lack of school fees. my parents died of Aids. I am a total orphan with out close relatives. I hope my request will be put under your consideration.
yours faithfully
Nanyanzi
Nanyanzi had not attended school regularly since she dropped out of sixth grade eight years ago. Both parents were dead and now she was staying with the widow of her late father's brother and three other children. They slept on a dirt floor. She was walking three hours each way to attend a school near our office because she heard it was cheap. Classmates at the school told her about us. She came to the office wearing a thin cotton dress and slip-on shoes that looked as if they would not survive many more days of three-hour walks.
We were touched both by her plight and her determination to continue in primary school at the age of twenty. We found a school near her home that was willing to take her in 5th grade. (Ugandan schools do not allow for skipping grades or advanced placement based on age or results.) We provided a uniform, a pair of shoes, and all her school supplies. Mission accomplished?
Shortly after enrolling, Nanyanzi confessed to our associate Agnes that she had periodic spells when she became emotionally unstable and could not or would not attend classes. Her symptoms indicated a psychiatric disorder but the local hospital was unable to deal with it. We decided to see how things progressed during 1st term and make a determination afterward. We recently received her report card, and she performed quite well in spite of irregular attendance.
During our eight years working in Uganda, we've learned to accept both joy and heartbreak, success and disappointment. We try not to anticipate more than one trimester ahead. We don't know how Nanyanzi's story will end, but we're committed to give her every opportunity to succeed.
Thank you for your support and and your prayers.
Peter & Sharon
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"We are rich only through what we give, and poor only through what we refuse." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
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What We Do
The St. Nicholas Uganda Children's Fund supports over 220 orphans and vulnerable children in primary and secondary school, and in vocational education & training. We pay school fees and provide uniforms, shoes, socks, school supplies, daily lunch, and medical care. With your help, we can make a real difference in their young lives.
Help Us Help the Children
We welcome donations of any amount. You can also help by organizing a fund-raising event in your church, school, office, Sunday School, or organization on behalf of the children of Uganda. Fliers and information sheets are available for downloading on the web site.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Donations to help support our children can be sent to the St. Nicholas Uganda Children's Fund, P.O. Box 285, Chardon, OH 44024-0285, or you can donate on-line via PayPal. To find out more about the Children's Fund, visit www.ugandachildrensfund.org or contact us atinfo@ugandachildrensfund.org .
The St. Nicholas Uganda Children's Fund provides for the education, health, and welfare of Ugandan children, teens, and young adults. We are a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization eligible to receive tax deductible contributions.
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