Super Bowl Party

Come help us raise funds for the kids sports, art activities and to furnish the library!!!



Uganda Mission 2011
Super Bowl Party Fundraiser

Wilde Rover
111 Central Way, Kirkland, Wa 98033
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Starting 230pm with Pre-Game Viewing on Large Screen

$5 Suggested Donation with Light Appetizers
$1 Raffle Tickets
$1 Football Quarter Tickets

All donations go to purchase sporting equipment/ETC for the kids at Hope Child Care Program.

Security

We found out about a month ago that the day we arrive in Uganda is the day of the Uganda Presidental Election. Which around here doesn't really raise any flags, but things run alittle different over there.
We have been reussured by numerous people that we should be okay, but we did up our security too.

This is the info that our leaders recieved regarding the travel.

From the US State Dept:
January 24, 2011

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Uganda to the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on February 18, 2011. U.S. citizens in Uganda during this period are urged to exercise caution and remain abreast of the security situation throughout the election period. This Travel Alert expires on April 18, 2011.

Uganda’s 2006 presidential and parliamentary elections generally were orderly and peaceful, and there are no indications that the 2011 elections will be any different. Nevertheless, the State Department recommends that U.S. citizens monitor the local news for changing security developments throughout the elections. Instances of localized unrest related to the elections are possible, and U.S. citizens should be aware that even peaceful gatherings and demonstrations can turn violent. U.S. citizens should maintain a high level of security awareness at all times and avoid political rallies, demonstrations, and crowds of any kind.



From the US Embassy in Uganda:

U.S. Embassy Kampala, Uganda

WARDEN MESSAGE

JANUARY 25, 2011



This Warden Message is to alert all U.S. citizens living in Uganda of heightened security concerns that regional terror groups, including al-Qaida and the Somalia-based al-Shabaab, remain actively interested in attacking U.S. interests in Uganda. We are particularly concerned about the month of February.



In light of this threat, the U.S. Mission in Kampala cautions U.S. citizens to take the following measures:



Be alert for suspicious activity, and report any suspicious activity to the police by calling 999.
Ask yourself “What would I do in case of an attack?” and be prepared to enact your plan.
Avoid large public gatherings, especially those with large numbers of westerners and/or no visible security presence.
Keep your cell phone charged and with you at all times.


This alert updates previous warnings issued in the Warden Messages relating to the July 11 bombings in Kampala, and as the latest Department of State Worldwide Travel Caution dated August 12, 2010.



U.S. citizens are advised to register and update their contact information with the U.S. Embassy in Uganda. The U.S. Embassy is located at Plot 1577 Ggaba Road. The phone number is (256) (0) (414) 306 001 or (256) (0) (414) 259 791, fax (256) (0) (414) 258 451, email: KampalaUSCitizen@state.gov, and travel registration website: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/.

Pearl of Africa

Little bit that I have learned about Uganda so far :)

Uganda is a small country in East Africa that Winston Churchill referred to as the "Pearl of Africa" for its "magnificence, for variety of form and colour, for profusion of brilliant life".
When Idi Amin took power in the 1970's along with his brutal dictator and his successor, President Obote, they destroyed 400,000 Ugandians, peace finally came in 1986 when President Museveni took power.


Uganda is home to the endangered mountain gorilla and the endangered common chimpanzee.


Common travel around Kampala and other towns is the boda-boda which can be either a bike or moped with a large cushion on the back for passengers.

English is widely spoken, though to varying degrees of fluency. British English is the dialect of the most educated, but Ugandan English often takes on a life of its own. Dozens of African languages are spoken in Uganda, the most common being Luganda, which is almost universally understood in Kampala.


The national currency is the Ugandan shilling. There are 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000 and 1000 shilling notes and 500, 200, 100, and 50 shilling coins (10, 5, and 1 shilling coins exist but are rarely used).


Food from Uganda is a sensation. You can sample the luwombo, which is meat or groundnut sauce steamed in banana leaves. It has a tantalising aroma


Banana's in Uganda


Coffee is one of the best products from Uganda

The first recorded case of HIV in Uganda was in Rakai District and the district has been particularly hard hit by the disease. In 2010, the population of the Rakai District was approximately 466,300

One Month!!!!!

I had to put up a quick post for today is a big day!
One month from today we will be embarking on a journey and adventure of a lifetime. I can't wait to arrive in Uganda, for I know the moment it begins my heart will be touched and life forever changed.


We received our Uganda visas last week, its is all so real!

Dennis and I have pulled out our packing lists (thanks to Yvonne for doing so much research!!!) and checked item after item off the list. I think this week we will start to do a practice pack so we can see how much room we have, how much food we can bring in our personal bags and how much more stuff we can bring in the bags for the kids.
Hopefully this month goes by fast, I can't wait!!!!! Getting antsy! :)

Wow!!!

After a few months of planning, praying and partying (for the fundraisers of course!), as a group we raised the amount needed for the library at the Hope Child Care Program orphanage in Uganda! In fact we surpassed it! We have raised $7883.41!!!!! Wahoo go Uganda team!!!

In an email from Yvonne today she put this verse, so great!

Psalm 31: 19-22 What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world.

At our church, we have initiatives for our Year End Christmas Offering (YECO), of them was to raise the funds to build the library, since not only was our group able to raise the funds for the library, our church received double the initial goal for the YECO, so they decided to fund the cafeteria as well!!!! It just touches my heart to know that we can do so much for so many children in need!

Here is a letter from Fred at Hope Child Care Program Orphanage:

Hi Yvonne,
When i read an email from Ovidiu (ECC’s Finance Director) saying that he will send the funds for the library as well as for the cafeteria, I could not stop tears of joys in my eyes because it has been a year praying for those two projects! Our God is good all the time. I thank God for you guys at Eastlake, because of your care we now provide for the needs of 400 kids! There are no words to express our excitement for what Eastlake has done for us! May our heavenly father continue to bless those generous givers of ECC.

Blessings,
Uncle FRED

How wonderful is that? I can see that we as a group are helping this orphanage and these children, but I can feel in my heart that this entire experience is going to move me and my group members more!