Children’s Ministry - Parent Child United Village Reading Programme

This has gone so well. Three villages are involved  with the programme. After assessing the reading  levels as we did some group reading and small

 family group readings according to ability.

 We discovered very low literacy and two dominant local languages Lugbara and Alur. Parents and children did not want to develop  local language but they  chose to learn English instead. 

   It soon became apparent that parents and children were confused about how to pronounce vocabulary and we realised that we needed to develop the reading by teaching phonics and the break down of words into sounds.    By using the big book bible stories i.e. Joseph, Noah and David we started to break down the words into segments for  easier reading. ‘J’, ‘o, ‘s’,

 ‘e’,’ph’ ’’Joseph! This is easy” exclaimed one mum as she started reading for the first time. It’s so exciting.

   Eight adults and forty children turned out last week and there was a village funeral to contend with so numbers will be higher next week. But because we are using an inclusive approach to learning with parents and children working together the programme works with big numbers.

   Songs and games are also a valuable part of this programme and we have committed staff. Both enjoyed being with children/youth and happily helped us encourage Eruba Primary School’s deaf and hearing through sport/drama. 

   Our good friend Walt also enjoyed being a part of our efforts to unite parent and children through the PCU programme Helen is leading. We really enjoyed Walt’s our son Laurence’s visit.

First Deaf/Hearing Weaving/Tailoring Course Graduation...

..also took place on May 2nd We celebrated  the  pleasing marketable products our team of students right learnt to make. In addition to learning to make everyday clothing they also made overalls for the deaf building & carpentry students we support(PTO) . 

The deaf unit teacher, Feti Stephen,  overseeing the day to day running of the project, the assistant instructors and a pair of professional consultants all contributed to this promising project which is intended to be increasingly self-sustaining with each successive course. High team integrity and cooperation has been key. We plan to accept a fresh intake in late June.

Deaf/hearing YWAM Team Support

 f        Lucy, above left,  educated to only P7 demonstrated such a wonderful gift to teach. I pray that by God’s grace she will be able to continue her education and make it. 

         Our deaf team-members, above right, collecting clothes to clothe the four naked deaf children that Philliam had come across. This was a wonderful blessing commented upon by members in the three local churches we attended the following Sunday. We are supporting one deaf six year old girl, Janet, from Labone to enrol at Glory Special Needs School in Kitgum next February.

         Should C/DTS outreaches return to Labone? The answer is yes. The Jesuits have been a great help in setting up the schools and numerous other programmes but they left Labone whilst we were there and the local community is struggling in the aftermath of war. Since the new country Southern Sudan has come into  being the people in remote Labone have seen few benefits. They still need to be discipled and encouraged. Students on outreach there can see positive results from their efforts in a relatively short space of time. I think this really helps them to be inspired and grow in faith. Helen

Sign Workshop for three neighbouring families with deaf members

        On the invitation of deaf youth, Edmond and Doreen (circled) and their families we teamed up with local sign-language instructors, a hearing DTS student and local youth to run our second home sign workshop. About 10 adults and 30 children attended, giggling noisily as they showed each other the sign-names their instructors had given them and learnt everyday signs that they could see would improve communication with their deaf relatives and neighbours.

   Doreen and Edmond, circled were very appreciative and we look forward to learning what long-term impact it has. David, a hearing youth whose family hosted our first home sign workshop, teamed up with Godfrey, chair of the Arua Deaf Association to make a large, portable sealed sign-language display for the families to refer to afterwards. 

Community Sun Run and Walk

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Signs and Wonders from the mixed hearing / deaf DTS team in Gulu town, N. Uganda

Learning from/working with Gulu’s needy townsfolk...

Whilst deaf DTS students like Gatrude (circled), encouraged local deaf students preparing for exams, other students were challenged to respond to several isolated people.

William, my Sudanese outreach co-leader explains:

Lazarus, left, is aged about 48. His relatives rejected him but he has managed to get to the Year 6 standard in primary school and can speak English well. He is about 1m tall and moves by tilting his head back and wriggling his back.

This he has done having been born severely lame with unnaturally short legs and arms. His head is unnaturally large. We showed him the love of Christ by washing him, his clothes, cleaning out his hut and buying him food and a blanket. This is a great testimony in my life.

One woman, a former Lord’s Resistance Army abductee, got healed from back pain after we prayed for her. She has suffered ever since she was beaten whilst in the LRA.

Educational tour of deaf units in South Uganda bring fresh ideas and inspiration to local deaf education

Two local teachers of the Deaf, Jonahansi (022), and Fetaa (027), (pictured), have just arrived back from their week-long informative tour.

Deaf Connection partners support helped make this tour possible. Both staff were really appreciative of this opportunity and asked us to pass on their gratitude to you. The next newsletter will explain some of their key findings.

They are pictured here, shortly after, at Arua Mayor Charles Asiki’s (002), first Fun Run.

Arua Mayor’s inclusive Fun-run brings fresh perceptions and ideas to Arua Town’s community

Local deaf /deaf advocates joined YWAM staff/students, local runners, many other development workers and council staff in Arua Mayor’s 1st Fun-run recently. They made up about 25% of the 40 + participants.

Mayor, Charles Asiki, warmly welcomed them. Partially deaf-blind pastor Alan Aviah also took part.

The local deaf /deaf advocates fitness impressed many, all finishing in the top half. Deaf DTS student, Sam (021) finished third, Jerome 4th.

Development plan for 2011-2014

THE NEED:
Families/communities with deaf members need tools to relate, manage resources, innovate, earn, and serve others

OUR VISION:
To bring isolated deaf people to see themselves as God's workmanship, beloved children & co-workers (Ephesians 2:10, John 1:12, 2 Corinthians 6:1)

OUR MISSION:
To develop solid, long-term partnerships to provide:

• Sign-language, literacy, relationship building and life- skill resources


• Opportunities for vocational/leadership training & income generation.

OUR GOAL:
Twelve deaf leaders, formerly isolated, who:

• know God blesses them so they can be a blessing to others


• have a safe/healthy lifestyle, good people skills and future leaders they are mentoringare managing resources well, being innovative and prosperous


• have developed partnerships that have transformed the hearts and lives of others

Sept./Oct. 2010 Mission Update

Learning lessons. Looking forward

• Students continue to team-build and visit local people in need,right up to beginning of their 3 month field placement,
• Mixed hearing/deaf teams on YWAM ARUA’s Discipleship Training School have just left for needy areas of S. Sudan, Uganda, & Congo.
• Ugandan Sign Language teaching videos completed for Bible book names and for several new signed worship songs.
• Several base supporters have helped replace most of the stolen funds for extending sister base YWAM Yei’sschool buildings. Do continue to pray the thief/thieves come(s) forward.
• Signs and Wonders. At the Refinery
• Our youngest son Laurence returns

These Months’ Focus:
• Co-leading a DTS team to Laboni, S. Sudan (A)
• Jerome recovering from a fresh bout of Malaria
• Recommencing home-schooling (H & A)
• Finalising Outline Programme up until April 2011.

Students continued to team-build right up to beginning of their 3-month field placement

.. through team challenges such as an making an un-crushable paper structure using just 10 A4 sheets and paperclips.

They also continued to visit local people in need, such as TB patients to talk, pray with and bring food parcels as all patients are expected to provide their own food.

Prayer had a real sharpness and focus as at least one patient would die between one visit and the next.

At the Refinery -What’s challenging me -Finding the balance (Helen)

To put God first. You might think that being involved with missions that I always put God first. Well in reality I still mostly go my own way and God becomes an addition to my routine rather than the driver. My aim is to really know god more and be a better kid; ok old kid.

Secondly I want to be an honourable Mum, wife and teacher. It’s not on the school curriculum as such but basic bibilical understanding is what I think the boys need more of and they agree. ‘Teach a child in the way they should go and they will not depart from it.’ Says a well known proverb. ‘parents do not exasperate your children’ says Proverbs. I desperately want to inspire Laurence and Jerome as I teach them and I want to honour Nicholas Chamberlain Technology College through making best use of the resources they have kindly given us.

As a long distance mum I am encouraged that with prayer and petition i/we can improve our relationship with Maria and encourage her to reach her God given potential. I know she deserves all the encouragement she can get. We learnt a lot whilst home schooling Maria but this year not only does Maria have year 2 of her A’s but some resitsto raise the level of her grades from last year. I am just so grateful that Maria has compassionate, gifted teachers that are guiding her through. Thank you NCTC staff so much if you read this.

Thirdly the wife bit. Well perhaps this should come second. I wouldn’t be here being blessed in this deaf ministry if it were it not for Adam and his hearing loss. My call I believe is to be scaffolding. Its not very glamorous I know but actually the more I accept the role the more enjoyment I get from supporting Adam in this very special ministry.

The deaf love Adam and I know he is doing a great work and he and the deaf need a lot of practical and emotional support which I feel I am learning to give. The more I give the more I receive. I know it’s an old cliché but it’s true. As scripture says it’s better to give than to receive.

It seemed like a timely connection when a deaf tailor met up with a business woman, Irene, at a business convention in Arua. Irene agreed to take on the deaf tailor for a trial period. However, after less than a fortnight, I had the unpleasant job of signing to the deaf youth that she would not be continuing in the newly offered job.

The deaf youth struggled in a number of ways, with punctuality; she even missed some days completely and her standard of work was below what was needed. Whilst I gave some initial sign support to this deaf youth and her family it quickly became apparent that the youth was in the wrong work place. Her employer Irene recognised that she needed to think more carefully about the implications of appointing someone with a disability.

At the end of the meeting Irene explained she was exploring the possibility of running a government sponsored vocational training course for people with disabilities. This was really encouraging because the forms were very detailed and required the submission of details for special needs provision and sign language interpretation.

All in all I believe this was a good but painful learning experience for us all. I will continue to follow up and encourage Agnes. Irene has asked her to continue to pop in to the tailoring business so that she can observe the other tailors and learn from them. H.

August 2010 Mission Update

In full swing again!
• Settling back into Arua life ourselves.
• Staffing YWAM ARUA’s Discipleship Training School; 4 of 16 students are local deaf. (photos)

• Our base team experienced a major break-in and learnt some painful lessons from it.
• Job offer for Agnes, a skilled deaf lady.

• Review/draft preview of our programmes.
• Signs and Wonders
• Jerome returns with his friend, Mitch.

This Month’s Focus:
• Helping our base implement the lessons learnt from the major break-in. Please pray the money stolen (for extending sister base YWAM Yei’sschool buildings) & thief/thieves is/are found.
• Co-documenting and developing more biblical vocabulary in Ugandan Sign Language with Pastor Fred from Kampala Deaf Bible school
- Learning from each other’s deaf training programmes to further improve them.
• Clarifying our programme up until April 2011 when we return for the children’s next exams .

We have been thrust back in to base and Arua life ourselves.

Staffing our base’s Discipleship Training School (DTS) has been intensive but good. Four of the 16 students are local deaf. Concerns amongst both hearing and deaf about language barriers have been largely overcome. The atmosphere is now really inclusive.

All the student outreach teams are mixed deaf/hearing and thriving. They have been invited to the local hospital, prison, Eruba primary school and a Muslim secondary school.

Most of the DTS staff are shown above.

Thankfully Laurence’s arm has healed. H.

AlioceUSL Buddy Workshops: Further feedback and Outreach to new locations

Local partners, AliocePastor –Rev Solomon, gave further useful written feedback recently.

He said: "The language barrier between deaf members and their relatives has been broken, and communication in the community has also got easier…..The topics were useful and the dramas helped everyone memorise the new signs being learnt and some key biblical events.

"The myth that deafness is inability is dissolving. More deaf are now attending their local church because their services have become more accessible.”

At the beginning of July and August we provided transport for over 20 local people with disabilities, deaf, polio and blind to go to the outlying villages of Kova and then Ezuku.

The aim is to encourage their communities to see the gifts and potential of the physically challenged members and their families.We used sign-song, drama (above) and testimony. The villagers were really appreciative.