Wells of Hope Academy, Prisoners Children School, A project of Wells of Hope Ministries,Uganda-ministry to People Affected by crime, prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families. Kampala,Uganda

Here Come the news from Wells of Hope Ministries! Today is
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News from: http://www.wellsofhope.org/

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Reaching out to a grand mother at Christmas time:

On the 25th December 2009(Christmas day) we reached out to Beatrice who is grandmother and caretaker of two boys Andrew and Edmund, their father is in Prison and living with HIV/AIDS, Edmund is also living with HIV. Their mother past away.

On this day we failed to reach their house, because their house was flooded, instead we sent a message that they find us across the waters. They had to wade through the heavy pool of waters almost falling in; the deepest end was covering above the knees.

This did not hinder them from being happy; we had taken them Christmas gifts and money for upkeep and medical care a donation from one of our friends-Dana Scott.Beatrice has been sick for the last two weeks, yet she has to look after these little boys.

The father of these little boys is in Prison and living with HIV/AIDS. Edmund is also living with HIV/AIDS. I am happy that the Lord continues to use us. Follow this link to see the photos http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32271&id=1612269332&l=3a7ce87c09

Visit to Jinja Main Prison on Christmas Eve :

On the 24th December 2009, we visited Jinja Main prison and we were able to have prayers with inmates on death row 9 of them being women. We donated 150KGS soya posho to the HIV/AIDS sick inmates among other gifts. We visited with a team from Watoto 360 lead by Jesse Ntaborwa and Linda Duncalfe, they provided the transport and also were a great encouragement to the Prisoners especially on this day. One of the Prisoners said that the relatives had abandoned them and on such a day we had made a big sacrifice and showed them love and that they were touched by this visit.

Christmas party for children of prisoners

On the 23rd December 2009, we hosted 17 children of prisoners to a Christmas party, we had almost given up but God provided for these little ones. One of my friends Ronald Kaweesa I studied with at King’s College Budo together with his wife Esther and sister in law Patricia donated the gifts. They attended in person together with their own children and blessed the children whose parents are in prison. We also gave three care takers cash gifts to buy food at Christmas time. The children's choir presented special songs with the help of Rachel one of our volunteers. Follow this link to see the photos

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32270&id=1612269332&l=d34d41d631

Meanwhile, on the same day 23rd December 27, 2009, we signed an agreement and paid rent for six months for premises where we are going to conduct the school, however, we still need friends to stand with us as we establish the first school for Children of prisoners on this land possibly even the first on the African continent .One of our friends Joan will be donating 20 basins for the children.

Children’s camp

From 12th to 14th August 2009 we successfully brought together 21 children of prisoners for a few days of biblical education and fun in a camp and we witnessed life changes in these children who are daily paying the price of their parents’ imprisonment. The three days we spent with them helped us share the love of Jesus, we ate together, studied the bible, talked with them about HIV/AIDS, etiquette and self esteem, we prayed and played with them. We had Mrs Kate Sali a director of Women’s Hospital International and Faith and Science Ministries together with her son Sam visit on the second day to encourage the children. Auntie Kate, her self had both her Parents imprisoned when she was twelve years, so sharing from her past pain, she knew how to make these children recognize that, God is a father and mother for children like these. At the end of the camp the children did not want to go back home, they felt like we should continue, infact most of them forgot about their problems and you could fail to tell that these are children who have absent fathers and/or mother .Their happiness was enough to minister to us the volunteers who included Belinda who coordinated the whole camp, assisted by Rachel, we also had Emma doing the music and video shows for the Kids, Prossy, Cissy, Esther and Ellen who was present on the first and second day. Obviously Francis was up and down to make sure all goes well. The funds were not enough up to now we have some costs we are still meeting, but we are grateful to whoever contributed.

The next camp which falls around August 2010, should see us do a bigger camp with more participation, God willing

Thank you very much all our friends and partners. Without you we would not stand. May the almighty God richly bless you!

To view the album of the Camp photos, follow this link:

http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1612269332&k=ZYD52X5XV3TF6BD1Q163PWVRSV&oid=1191287671748

John Kagambo, Senior Welfare Officer of Upper Prison Luzira Retires after 40 years of Service.

Mr. John Kagambo is retiring after serving as a welfare officer for forty years in Uganda Prison service, by the time of retirement he had served for 12 years as a senior Welfare officer in upper Prison Luzira.

He has been our chief partner and supporter of Wells of Hope programmes in Upper Prison Luzira a maximum security Prison .In his capacity as Welfare officer He helped Wells of Hope set up base, and marketed our Ministry among the inmates, he would participate in the Hidden treasure Programme and in last year camp he was the chief guest .On the 30th August 2009, Francis and Ellen have been invited to represent Wells of Hope in a thanks giving service that will take place at ST. John’s Staff Chapel Luzira .He has been a good fellow.

Our latest work with him included developing a website for the inmates’ university sponsored by Wells of Hope .He has also been The Prisons education coordinator, and the brain behind the inmates’ university in Luzira campus .Good work Mr. Kagambo .

To view the album of Mr.Kagambo with Wells of Hope, follow this link:

http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1612269332&k=ZYD52X5XV3TF6FFDSKZZU&oid=1132327826873

Hearing by Faith Programme in Upper Prison Luzira:

On the 17th Aug, 2009 We Launched faith comes by hearing program in which we employ proclaimers to conduct bible studies in Upper Prison Luzira,Boma. In attendance was Emmanuel Turinawe the Bible Society of Uganda Scripture Listening Project Coordinator, Francis Ssuubi, Aidah Kibirige and Rachel Mirembe also attended. It was such a great meeting that brought together inmates of different denominations together, we had 162 prisoners attending; the ones from the Death row section were represented by their denominations leaders. We had a bible study based on Romans 8.The exciting time was when Andrew one of the inmates asked what apostle Paul meant when he talks about “sons of God” in Rom 8:14 and in Rom 8:16 says “children of God”:

This was a length discussion which was seemingly unending and very interesting.

We learnt that Bible Studies have become easy with the Use of Proclaimers.

Its worthwhile to note that this is the only programme in the Prisons that brings all denominations together, to include Pentecostal/Evangelical, Catholics, Anglicans and seventh day Adventists-All listening to the same bible.

To the blind and the people in Prison who cannot read or write, this is a blessing.

The challenges are that, the Proclaimers are few and not audible to cover the surging numbers who come to listen. Also they are in one language, that is Luganda yet there are about four major tribes in there.

During the meeting we donated 100 bans and 5 kilos of Sugar to be used for tea during the bible study.

We still have a problem as Wells of Hope, that as much as we have the proclaimers, we do not have the transport to keep going there, especially in this season of financial recession.

Rachel was applauded by the inmates for being a lady but yet courageous to face the men in Prison to teach them how to use the proclaimers, she had been going there before this particular meeting.