Uganda Summer Trip August 2011

Details: Published on Sunday, 31 July 2011 16:58

It is hard to believe that Charlene left us 9 months ago. Although she is no longer with us in person and oh how we miss her physical presence – she remains with us in her vision and in the work of Charlene’s Project. So much has happened since she quietly slipped into the arms of Jesus. Little did we know then that what she had started in Uganda would keep her close to us and constantly in our conversation and plans.

Next week on Thursday 4^th August as a family we travel as part of a team of 19 to Uganda for what will be a momentous and emotional trip. We will see for ourselves the new Hidden Treasure School, built through the money she raised. We will meet for the first time the new teachers and many of the 220 children who have started the new school and are getting an education as a result of Charlene’s vision and faith. We will see for ourselves the well that Charlene commissioned bringing life giving water into the heart of that local community. We will see a community that is being transformed as a result of the incredible support Charlene received from so many who are receiving this letter. I know we will shed tears of sadness in Uganda that Charlene did not live long enough to see the impact her life had there, but we know she is receiving her reward in heaven as a result of her simple trust in the Lord Jesus. At Hidden Treasure we will see Charlene around us in the children that she has touched and in the community that she will be remembered in. I know we will feel close to her as we share in the joys and sorrows of our journey.

Wednesday 10^th August will be a very special day as officially we open Hidden Treasure Primary School. The future is bright and we are so thankful to have had the privilege of sharing in Charlene’s vision and in continuing her legacy through Charlene’s Project.

Charlene Barr During this trip:

A container sent ahead will be opened which contains books, art/craft, sporting equipment and many of the necessary supplies for the school – I can’t wait to see the faces of the beautiful children and adults in that community
Wiring will be put in place and a generator that is in the container will be connected to give electricity to the school
Teachers will work alongside the Ugandan teachers in numeracy, literacy, arts/crafts and sports over the time of the visit
A Kids Club will be run every morning for the 220 children and other children in the community
A medical clinic will be offered for 1 day on site for the children and local community of over 4,000 people
Food and clothes will be distributed
50 children are already sponsored through Charlene’s Project by folk back home – we hope to identify with the Hidden Treasure management committee another 50 children for sponsorship
Old friendships will be renewed and new friendship formed as we look together at the next step in Charlene’s Project – the forming of the project as an international NGO in Uganda and trying to meet the needs of children who are most vulnerable or orphaned in the local community. Charlene coined the phrase – “creating better futures” to link with Charlene Barr and Cystic Fibrosis. It remains as the desire of our heart to continue what she has begun and to make a difference through the project she started.

Thanks for journeying with us and for your support

Janice and Dickie