Mission update Feb 2011

Milestones in December and January

Taste and see that the Lord is good’ Ps 34:8  

• Key findings from Educational tour of deaf units in South Uganda
• Arua deaf use their acting/IT skills to produce a new USL resource.
• Former Deaf DTS student Sam gains employment as a carpenter.
• Deaf driver training course pilot
• Innovative 2011 deaf church programme co-planned
• Mixed hearing-deaf holiday club builds scriptural understanding; friendship & leads to deaf education partnership.
• Village Outreach: Paranga, Maracha

Signs and wonders: spiral effects

Welcoming family, Marjorie and Ray, below centre, and our good friend
Netty, far right, pictured with us shortly before they returned to the UK.

The convincing proof that we were crossing the equator was observing
water in a sink draining out with no spiral effect. Five metres either side
of the Equator water drained out spiralling in opposite directions!
Please pray for a positive growth spiral between all our local partners.
Partnership, serving and enjoying each others growth is new to some.

Key findings from Educational tour of deaf units in South Uganda

By two local teachers of the Deaf, Jonahansi (022), and Fetaa (027), (pictured), were:


“the generally poor performance of severely and profoundly deaf, with only hard of hearing fairing better….

… that in games and sports

the deaf compete equally with hearing under the same rules..

… that deaf are being trained in vocational skills including salon works, baking, knitting, tailoring garden work and carpentry.

… that a few hearing staff learn USL due to the lack of trained teachers of the deaf..

Recommendations made and challenges seen are shown right and are shaping our 2011-14 development plans, with a new focus on deaf literacy.

Arua deaf use their acting and IT skills to produce a a new USL resource.

The video-drama of the story of the birth of John the Baptist was originally performed by Arua deaf to sensitize members in Vurra sub-county to the needs and abilities of those with disabilties. Raphael,(centre), worked alongside me to learn the basics of video-editing/subtitling so we could later use the video in the joint hearing-deaf Christmas Service. It was well received.

Former deaf DTS student, Sam, gains employment as carpenter

We recommended Sam,(4th from left above), because his honest, thorough and hardworking character has impressed many.


He is pictured alongside Samuel, (3rd from left above), owner of the carpentry business and a fellow deaf connections partner

Deaf driver training course pilot

Recent national law changes have enabled deaf, such as trainee driver, Aziz, below , 2nd from right, to apply for a driving licence. We are working together with Aart, (right) coordinator of West Nile Vocational Training Institute, his hearing driving instructor Bernard (left) and a Deaf Association sign language instructor to see this new right for the eligible people with a disability become a widespread reality.


We must meet now await a meeting a senior Inspector Of Vehicles before he can be tested.

Mixed hearing-deaf holiday club, King’s Kids, builds scriptural understanding, friendship & leads to deaf education partnership.

Kings kids 17th– 21Jan 2011 Psalm34:8 ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good’


It was an absolute blessing to coordinate this new venture in Arua with a strong core of 4 staff and an additional 6 support staff 3 of whom were deaf. The enterprising support was just right.

In total we had 26 kids and 5 of them were deaf or hard of hearing. The aim of the week was to explore what it really means to be a Christian by doing lots of practical team building activities including our own special pilgrimage hike. Netty Hayes of All Saints Infant School Bedworth blessed events not only with her tremendous administrative support but with the wonderful parachute games which became a daily highlight. “What’s next?” Was the final request of kids/parents alike

At the end of the week we donated the parachute to the Eruba School Deaf Unit.


The Headteacher Sebastian was thrilled.

Village Outreach: Paranga,Maracha:

Local deaf /deaf advocates, YWAM Arua and St Phillips members, and Eruba Deaf Unit Staff and students joined us on this eventful but memorable weekend sign workshops based on the theme “With my own eyes I have seen your salvation (lifesaver)” Luke 2:30


This was to fulfil a promise we made to Pastor Rev. Gard to organise a future sign workshop after our first visit in 2007, when his village deaf opened our eyes to the scale of need.

Over 25 local non-signing deaf participated along with a further 75 hearing buddies and fellow villagers. Both we and Paranga Parish performed powerful dramas that all could en-joy. The village was so appreciative at the end of the weekend.


One family are now applying to send their deaf child to Eruba deaf Unit now they are aware of it and can see the life-change that partnership can bring.

Mission focus until August 2011 (updated 23.12.10)

 

Partnering locally with YWAM Arua, St. Phillips Deaf Church,  Arua District Association of Deaf (ADAD) , Eruba Primary School, West Nile Ecumenical Vocational Trg. Centre,  Arua Town Library
THE  NEED: Communities with deaf members need tools to relate to/serve God & each other, manage resources, innovate, earn
OUR VISION: Is to bring isolated deaf people to see themselves as God's workmanship, beloved children & co-workers
OUR MISSION: developing partnerships to provide: a) Sign-language workshops, sports-coaching and competition  b) opportunities for vocational/leadership training & income generation.
Focus: Aim: Date	Vocational/Leadership training Gain marketable skills Able to innovate, earn and serve others
Dec.’10	• Drama Video-subtitling workshop
Jan.’11	• Drama group (ongoing) • Drama Video-editing workshops
Feb.’11	• Next building course starts • Teacher of the deaf course TBC
Mar.’11	• Teaching skills seminar TBC
Apr-Aug	• Time in England with our family, friends, church & partners. Children’s exams. Share mission progress/future plans. USL study
Focus: Life skills training Aim: Are safer Able to manage resources   Dec.’10: • Driving/carpentry USL  resources Jan. 11: • Driving/carpentry/school USL Resources • Supporting education of isolated deaf   Feb 11: • Eruba Creativity workshop • Competitive hearing/deaf sports March 11: • Compile new USL resources. UNAD Mtg. Deaf people, formerly isolated who:· are safer, healthier, enjoy life more and achieve more. · participate more fully in their family and community · are able to spread hope themselves to others..   Focus: Relational and hospitality skills Aims: Able to communicate with God and others Enjoy life more Dec 2010 • Co-plan innovative 2011deaf church program • 6th H's parents leave, 25th N Heyes leaves • 22/23rd Village Outreach:Paranga, Maracha Jan 2011 • 11-20 Coventry Deaf Church UK Team arrive • 13th Workshop: Adalafu, 25th Feb 2011• Feb24/25th Workshop: Arua for Community Advocates in Madi/West Nile diocese    OUR GOALS: Deaf people, formerly isolated who: · are safer, healthier, enjoy life more and achieve more. · participate more fully in their family and community · are able to spread hope themselves to others.. OUR GOALS:

Jerome's life

Hi everyone ! I hope you enjoyed yourselves this month. For me I enjoyed a good end to harvesting my tomatoes. I think I reached my target of selling 600. But, on the gardening front I haven't done much this month.


I’m very pleased with Arsenal this season we are on the tails of Man U and are in the Carling cup final.

I’ve being applying to colleges around the country. Its exciting for me to look at what is on offer at different places.

On the 10th of January I went on a full time three week evangelistic course called Go camp. It was awesome! I learnt loads more stuff about god and the bible. I also preached to the south sudan army! On outreach i ate rat. I made some great friends as well and was able to talk about my faith.

Laurence's news

Nothing amazing happened this month, but my dad and I had a meeting with the municipal engineer of Arua, about the plans to build a new market. The plans are colossal, it will cost two and a half million dollars. Vendors will have refrigeration and there will be toilets as we know them - conference facilities, banks ,etc. spread over 3 stories. A mighty leap in development!


Apart from that, my biggest pigeon was eaten by ants but eggs are being laid regularly.

Sudan is basically split now, but Egypt's on the brink of civil war. Uganda's elections are drawing close. Hope they go smoothly, and fairly.

Candidates have been in Arua recently campaigning.

Maria's News

This month has been quite busy as I've had a lot of exams but thankfully they are finally over! I ran a 10km race last week which was hard but I was glad to complete it and was pleased with my time and position. I've increased my training distances so I can gradually build up my stamina in hope to run a half marathon in the coming summer months.
My job at the cake shop and  house care for a disabled lady are going well and I thoroughly enjoy both which is great for me!
I spent last weekend with my grandparents, uncle aunt and cousins as we celebrated a late christmas dinner (my grandparents were in Uganda for xmas) and so I had a fab time catching up with them :)
Looking forward to half term as I'm off to Berlin! You'll hear all about it in the next newsletter! :)