Persist is exploding!

Bit of an alarming headline, no?  Not to worry, though: that’s our aim for our Leadership Academy young people – we want to see them exploding in their communities in many ways, including showing kindness to those in need, and being influential to others so that they can also live a good life.

Some of our Academy members

We know that Persist has the brains and the leadership skills (and there’s no doubt she has the beauty), but did you know that she can also teach?  That’s right, she’s been helping fellow women to learn about the arts and crafts that she does.  And the cost?  Not a penny.

A hat?  Or a work of art?

Maama Trinah is a qualified social worker, but she looked for jobs, she couldn’t find any.  She tells us: “I failed to find a job, and stayed home.  As time passed by, I came to know Persist and appreciate her craft, and I asked to be trained in that field. 

Beautiful handmade jewellery

"I brought my own materials, and then she would teach me.  I now can make earrings, bags, bangles and some other jewellery that I sell to a few customers I have.  For sure, I am very thankful to that young lady for giving me these skills.”  

Maama Trinah with some of her wares

Thank you so much Persist!

Flying higher by the day!

Big news for Ivan Mujuzzi! You’ll remember that he’d successfully completed his Senior 6 year at Masaka Secondary School, and was dreaming of becoming an architect?

Ivan and Victor having finished A levels!

Well he’s moving closer and closer to the dream, having been accepted to Kyambogo University, Kampala – one of the most highly regarded places to study architecture in Uganda. Hard to hide his smile, really, and who would want him to?

All smiles!

And he’s continued to inspire us by his conduct during the vacation, not only being an honest and re-liable employee, working with another ex-White Eagle, Big Charles, in a local photo studio, but also helping faithfully with the technical sides of church, manning the projector with aplomb, and getting involved whenever he can.

Helping out in the Community

Mujuzzi told us: “I am really happy that I have been given a place to study at Kyambogo University after a long struggle. I will start studying this very month. A big thank you to the different people who have encouraged me along the way, and I promise that I am going to do my best at University, with God as my guide.” Well done Mujuzzi!

Here's how we fly high at River of Life!

Kasirivu really is the business!

If there ever was a story of turn-arounds, Ernest Kasirivu has one.  Here he is with his super-proud mother, celebrating his graduation with a certificate in business studies. 

What a triumphant day!  But life wasn’t always so rosy for Kasirivu.  Back in the day, his mum wasn’t able to look after him, so he headed to stay with some relatives.  As all-too-often happens, he was mistreated, and ended up living on the streets, with little to no hope for his future.  He had days of starving, as well as suffering a lot of abuse from the other street kids, and people around Nyendo.  And that’s when he was found by John Mukiibi, and brought to River of Life.

He tells us, “It would be wrong if I say that I am speechless, because I have a lot to say… but the problem is where to start!  I had seen a lot, and been through a lot, before I joined ROL.  As I was a young boy, it was my own family that gave me a hard time, and when I ended up on the streets, all my dreams were kind of shattered.  But that wasn’t the end of the story, and I’m so proud to have earned my certificate in business studies.  I thank River of Life for the love and care since i joined, and my dear sponsors for seeing me through.  Next stop is a diploma and I can’t wait!”

 

 

Officially a resourceful fella!

The 24^th of March 2016 marked a great occasion in the lives of two of our leadership Academy young men – and therefore for all of us at River of Life!

First up to the plate is the one and only Sserunjogi Gerald, who recently graduated with a certificate in Human Resources.  He’s very special to River of Life, since not only has he been with us for a long time, but he is also the son of Mama Katende, our cook!  We met them after they had lost their father – and as if that wasn’t bad enough, relatives had thrown them out of their father’s house.  Mama Katende was really struggling to even feed them, since she didn’t have a job at the time, so as you can imagine, their arrival at River of Life was a big relief for her, and an opportunity for her kids to study! 

Sseru says: “Thank you so much ROL for running to my rescue during those times of need, it was hard for me to predict back then what the future might hold, but now it’s so exciting that I have made it to this step”.  Mama Kat adds: “a big thank you to this organisation for everything they have done for me and my two sons, and for giving me a chance to work with the young people and the White Eagle Project.”  Congratulations Sseru!

 

Majestic Marathon Maniacs!

26.2 miles. Nyendo to Lake Nabugabo and back. No small feat! The day finally arrived, and frankly most of our runners were filled with dread, as the challenge seemed unsurmountable. It’s never going to be a good day when you meet in pitch dark (5:50am) – or so they thought.
 

Yet the first runners were at the lake gate by just 7:30am (whilst we were munching our porridge and rubbing sleep from our eyes – shaaaame on us!!). A brief rest, and a welcome to the slower runners, and they were off again!
 

Thing is, many of us may have lacked faith in the fortitude of our colleagues, as we were astounded at their performances – Nalongo Juliet (our secretary) very nearly making it to the lake, whilst Elder Emily, cook Esther and general manager Paul plowed through the lake gates with triumph.
 

Of the 30 participants, SEVENTEEN completed the full run: staff, leadership academy, and even some of our teenage White Eaglettes (= female White Eagles!) – you know what, let’s give them some individual RESPECT… Julius, Joseph, Martin, Gerald, James, Ernest, Kellen, Maria, Baker, Ronald, Muyanja, Keneth, William, Peter, Mujjuzi, Kevin, Waiswa… we applaud you sincerely (and with some sheepishness, since we admit we weren’t sure any would make it the whole way). TONS of respect to you, not just for your stamina, but also your willingness to lend your own efforts to help raise money for our kids’ school fees.

Well, if you’d been at church when our heros hobbled in, you would have heard screams and crunches, as they were all treated to a hearty muscle rub…. But then… no pain, no gain, as they say!
 

Please do reward their efforts, and sponsor them – show them that you’re as proud of them as we are! Go to: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/backtoschool

We’ll leave you with Isaiah 40:31…. “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like [White] Eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”
  

BIG congratulations to the wonderful Charles!

We hope you remember this fine young man, Charles, who was one of the first boys we welcomed from the streets, way back in 1999. He’s recently been part of the Leadership Academy, and has now trained in business administration, specialising as an accountant at Ndejje University!

 

Hard at work on our donated Macs!

“I am very happy that I have got this degree. If you had seen me eighteen years ago, you would hardly BELIEVE that I could now be in this position. I used to cause trouble at the project, but I know the Lord sees me as valuable, and loves me. He has provided for me, and changed me.

I want to thank River of Life Church for the care and love they have shown us all. We were very harsh back then, but we were accepted as we were and loved unconditionally. Thank you so much Pastor Duncan and Auntie Mary, for the good work you have done in us, and I promise to be a good and a responsible leader in my community.


Charles posing for his photo, on the left

I hope to serve as a good example to those that are still under the WEP – that they will know that everything is possible through Jesus who strengthens us and gives us perseverance. I am here to tell you that you will never have victory where there are no struggles and people are meant to be determined so as to make it through.”

We are so proud of him. May God bless all who have supported the White Eagle Project and Leadership Academy; because of you, we’ve been able to help Charles get to where he is now!

Just the kind of leader we like to see!

It’s been a little while since we’ve blogged about the Leadership Academy. Well don’t let the silence fool you – there’s a lot happening! Have you met Robert? He’s a student in Gulu University doing medicine and surgery. What a great opportunity to make a difference, and be a positive influence in his community.

In fact, Robert has already been taking on some leadership roles at his University – he tells us: “I very much enjoy my life at campus as a leader.. I work as a programmer in the Christian fellowship at campus and in the Medical sector, I’m a coordinator assisting students from Masaka Secondary School, a Canteen head, and a Sanitation Minister in the Guild Counsel”. Phew – all these titles make your head spin, don’t they?
 

He continues: “With all the roles that I play at campus, I thank the Lord for the courage he has given me to run them. I have been challenged in different ways and some of these challenges include managing my time to involve myself in different meetings, campaigns, balancing the books in the canteen and managing my own books.

The canteen that we handle as the medical students helps us to raise money to enable us reach out to different communities in Gulu, as we preach the gospel in action. The action includes treating the sick, helping out to clear bushes around homes so as to destroy the breeding areas for mosquitoes, and sweeping roads to improve on the sanitation of urban areas. We are so thankful that the Lord has enabled us do all those things.

I also take this opportunity to thank River of Life for supporting me and for structuring me into a good and responsible leader that will make a positive influence in my community.”

Well that’s the sort of leader we hope to raise as part of the Leadership Academy. Keep up the good work, Robert!

Help Roderick become a Primary School Teacher!

Today we bring to you the story of Roderick, a former White Eagle, now a member of our Leadership Academy.
            

I am proud for having been brought up by the White Eagle project. My name is Muyanja Rodrick  a member of the Leadership Academy under River of Life Church. Honestly, I am so proud that I was brought up by this ministry that is under the Eagle’s Wings because I was nurtured in a good and Godly way. Everything I learnt there has been of value to me!

I completed my O-levels last year and have managed to join Christ the King Primary School as a Maths and Science Teacher. Its amazing to work with the young growing people and the truth of the matter is that I really desire to instil in them all the good and Godly methods of handling the world that were given to me during the time I was with the White Eagle’s project.

Sincerely I have just found that teaching is so exciting and soon I am going to join a Primary Teacher’s College. I’ll be training to be a teacher during the school holidays. I believe that I will make a good teacher and I’ll make every effort to ensure my young children pass with good grades!

At River of Life, we believe in training children and young men and women so that they become productive members of society! With Roderick, we can now see where God is taking us. Roderick came to us at a very tender age and we are happy to see him developing into a really responsible young man.

Would you like to sponsor Roderick to go to the Primary Teacher’s College so that he becomes a qualified Primary teacher? Sponsorship of our Leadership Academy Members starts at £30 per month. Please head to: https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/ugandariveroflifeministries and get in touch if you would like any further information!

Roderick was speaking to Frank, our Roving River of Life Reporter

6 Men. 6 Bikes. 90 miles. 1 day.

The ladies and gentlemen of the Leadership Academy need to get back to University! Semester 2 starts in a few weeks, and currently there's not enough money in the kitty...

But, being the go-getting never-say-die kinda sorts, they've grabbed the opportunity to do something extraordinary. Next week, in the middle of dry season, 6 courageous young men are going to brave the dusty pot-holed roads of Uganda to cycle 90 miles in ONE DAY.

And they're inviting you to sponsor them, so that they can raise the £5,318 needed to send all 17 members back to their University courses.

It will be a tough and gruelling ride, starting at 4am from River of Life Church, heading 25 miles to catch the dawn ferry at Bukakata, cycling 20 miles across the largest of the Ssese Islands to the main town of Kalangala… only to turn round and come back!

And don’t be thinking of smooth tarmac roads and fast road bikes! Oh no. We’ve begged and borrowed a motley collection of bikes in various states of disrepair… this is no Tour de France. More like Tour de Survival.

So, please dig deep and sponsor the lads now! You can do it online here, or if you would like to donate some other way, please get in touch. The first £500 donated will be DOUBLED by one very generous donor - so please donate quickly and your money will go twice as far!

And just in case you needed reminding, these guys are nation changers, and worth every penny in our humble opinion :)

Yes, we're still two bikes short... but they're coming! Let's hope the team rides as well as they balance :)

New Computer Lab opened for business!

We’re delighted to announce that we have opened a brand new computer lab to offer training in computer skills, graphic design, website building and more.

It’s taken some time to get everything into place, with security being the toughest nut to crack. Our vision is to offer training in Computer Skills, Graphic Design and Website Building, so that members of the Leadership Academy can acquire some decent income generating skills.

Ernest and Tony (pic.), our 2014 Academy Chairman and Vice-Chairman, are already getting to grips with the new computers. We now have 25 members of the Leadership Academy, including three who will be graduating with their Bachelor Degrees this month from Nkumba University. They’ve done brilliantly well, and we’re very proud of them! This lab should offer them, and the other young people supported by River of Life Church, an opportunity to learn some valuable practical skills.

As Tony says

"Good news to all Leadership academy members! It's been our prayer that we could get more knowledge about different computer programs that aren’t commonly taught in schools but would still be of use in our day to day life. I am very excited to inform all the guys in the academy that we can now rock it! It's taken some time to set up because some software had to be downloaded but we are thankful that they are here at last. The computers are now available and ready to be used, different programs are to be taught to you and after that, you will go and explode in the whole world as we promote River of Life’s Mission “To see the Glory of God cover Uganda and the whole world through church revival and community transformation"!

We're particularly grateful to our good friends in Canada who made this happen!

Software update time at the new lab

Tony and Ernest get stuck in

The 2014 Leadership Academy

“Go and Explode!” - The ROL Leadership Academy

"Genda Obwatuke - Go and EXPLODE!" was the rallying call at last weekends Leadership Academy get-together. Our vision is for the 30 odd young people on the programme to take River of Life’s vision of spiritual revivial and community transformation out into the world.

On the day, Sali, a founding member of River of Life Church and now a qualified Crime Scenes Investigator specialising in cyber-forensics AND a Pastor in Manchester, UK, really inspired us all with his testimony. As a small boy he had mingled the mud to make the bricks which built the church! A couple of the Academy Members deserve a special mention - Robert, having stormed his A-Levels has won a Government Scholarship to do Medicine and Surgery whilst Sharon, who was disappointed with her A Level results, has completely repaid the trust we placed in her by getting the best first year University results we've ever seen! She's studying for a BA in Adult and Community Education and is getting some good experience through our Community Outreach work during the summer break.

It costs approximately £100 per month to send one of our Academy members to University - but it's worth every penny. We're looking for funding for 3 University Students right now! If you think you could get a group of people together to cover the costs, please get in touch.

Girl Power!

Holding her A-Level pass slip in her hands, Veronica (rt.) could hardly believe it... It was better than she'd hoped, far better. Better than her mocks, better than anything she had managed before. Veronica isn't someone who you'd say "oh, she's just naturally intelligent" about - she has worked her socks off, steadily improving her grades each year. She's a White Eagle graduate, resettled with her family back in 2010. Her story is one of poverty and challenge - she was even a “Missing Person” for a few years before coming to us.

But today she's looking at an A-Level Pass Slip that confirms she's one of the top performing girls in all of Masaka, getting A, B, B, C in four A-levels! And what’s more is in with a chance of a Government Scholarship for uni! Isn't that awesome?! Meanwhile Persist (left) is our highest achieving O Level candidate, missing out on a First Grade by just one mark!

It's for people like Veronica and Persist, and others who work just as hard (even if they don't achieve quite as highly academically!) that we've established the River of Life Leadership Academy. To help a generation of leaders EXPLODE out of Masaka to take on the challenges not just of Uganda but of the world!

Au revoir White Eagles!

On 8th December we held a moving Graduation Ceremony and said “Au revoir!” to 10 of our White Eagles. They are now all over the age of 18, so it was time for them to move on from the White Eagles' Home.

They’ve all moved out to live either with relatives, or to rent rooms independently in Masaka. The White Eagle team have spent the last few years working hard to reunite and reconcile these young men with their families, and the Ceremony was testimony to the value and success of that work, as all of them had relatives there to support them.

It’s certainly a lot quieter around the project now these young men have moved on, although the remaining children are trying their hardest to make up for it!

But although they have graduated from the White Eagle Project, they certainly haven't left the River of Life nest quite yet. We've established a new programme to continue supporting them. Seven will be supported in their final year of school (Senior 4), two are in the penultimate year (Senior 3) and one, our very own Mr Tony who has been with us since the beginning, has just completed his O Levels, and will join our Leadership Academy.

So we will continue to support, mentor and work with them to continue to help them to Fly High!

If you would like to support the work of the White Eagles, or the Leadership Academy, please get in touch, download a sponsorship form here, or head straight over to our donation page (MyDonate by BT).