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The Potter's Village - Newsletter


Welcome to the latest issue of the Potters Village Newsletter.

Issue 3. 2014



In this Issue

A heartwarming story
An older arrival
New Babies
Free meals - well just a few
All change
Free at last
Safe Stoves
nappies, nappies everywhere
Help from a wonderful team
Wonderful outcome
A new holiday destination
Please pray for us




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A heartwarming story

Abigail's mother gave birth in a clinic.  She asked the Doctor what to do if she wanted to abandon the baby - leave it with him or go elsewhere.  The Doctor did not take her seriously.  On leaving she asked a lady coming in to hold her baby for a moment and she ran away. 

The details she gave the Clinic were all false, but the Doctor and lady (who was left with the child) went to the Police and were then passed on to us.  Jeninah (they lady who had helped), a young widow with twin year old boys, took it that God put that baby in her arms for a reason.  She has asked to foster Abigail long-term.  We found the biological mother, who tearfully told the reason she was unable to keep the baby.  She doesn't want Abigail adopted but Jeninah has promised to work with the mother and if at some stage it becomes possible (and advisable) for the mother to have her, she will be content at giving Abigail a good start and will pay for all her education.


An older arrival

Nsabimana came to us at the age of 6 months.  His mother had just died from TB and having spent his life with her, he too had TB.  The Father was looking after the siblings but feared being able to keep them alive for lack of food, let alone care for Nsaba.  As Nsaba was infectious the 'whites' on site had to care for him the first 2 weeks of his medication.  He was very malnourished - not good if you have TB but as you can see from the photo, he is fattening up well. 

The family will be a long term project.  We are helping the Father build a pig house and will buy him 2 pigs to breed so he can start on building an income.  Even so, he will be unlikely to be able to take Nsaba until he is of school age.  It is wonderful to have a Father who takes responsibility for his children.  He is so overwhelmed with our help that he is going to get himself and the children baptised!


New Babies

We welcomed six new babies into our community from January to April. They have all had difficult beginnings to their lives, but hopefully, now they are being cared for at Potter's, their stories will be much happier and they have much more positive futures.

Mufasha - At the beginning of September we received a new child called Mufasha who was 1 months old. Her mother died and she remained with the paternal Grand Mother who brought her to PV. The father is extremely poor and is not currently financially stable. Mufasha will stay at Potter's Village for about 6 months and then be resettled back with her Grand Mother.

Anna - arrived at Potter's Village in the middle of August at 3 days old. Her Mother became ill 2 weeks prior to the birth and was taken to the Government hospital where they transferred her to Mutorere, Private hospital. She went to labour and gave birth but after giving birth, she grew weaker and died. Anna was brought to PV by her Father.  Anna's Grand Mother is happy to take her at six months, when she is strong enough.

Kirabo - was born at the beginning of August and two weeks after the birth her Mother suffered a mental breakdown. The Father said that they took her to Pastors for prayers. Potter's will keep Gift temporarily because they are hoping her Mother will improve in time.

Creta - Potter's Village received a new child at the end of July called Creta and he was 3 months old. His mother has viral encephalitis and is unable to do anything. She is also extremely malnourished which makes her survival outlook poor. Dr. Mike visited the home and we hope the family sent her to hospital. Creta is very healthy and a good size, so we know he will do well. 

Nsabimana - please see his story above 

Abigail - please see Abigail's story above. 


Free meals - well just a few

The Trustees kindly agreed to add an extra amount of money onto the existing lunch allowance paid to the workers.  As we are trying to encourage the staff to eat...and to eat in the canteen, it was agreed by Senior Staff that the extra money be allocated as free meals.  Hence a full-time worker will now get 10 free meals in the Canteen each month to be taken whenever they wish. We found that often the staff were saving their lunch money and going hungry.

A meal costs 1,000 UGX approx. 25p.  It doesn't give a huge amount of food but the staff are not willing to pay more.  In time we hope staff will take most, if not all, their meals from there.  We struggle with staff working a 24 hour shift and trying to do it on free porridge we give them in the mornings.  There are too many of these young women with ulcers and digestive pain.  Encouraging sensible eating is difficult.


All change

We take our hats off to the kitchen staff.  The old kitchen and floor has been in need of repair for some time. Earlier this year, we received a grant for building work and since then the Kitchen staff have had to work in difficult conditions.  While the kitchen floor is being re-laid they have had to move into the timber shed.  It cannot be easy but they have not complained at all.  Meals continue to be on time and they do it all with smiles.  As a side issue - it was a good opportunity to clear a lot of rubbish that had collected in the shed!


Free at last

Baby Maureen came to us as a 800 gram premature baby.  At the time she was just slightly longer than a biro.  Now 49 days old she is 1.2 kg and although bigger, still very small as babies go - as can be seen by Verah's hand beside her.  She has graduated from the incubator to a polystyrene box and can now enjoy cuddles.  She's a real character and we can't wait to see her develop.

If we had not been donated the CPAP machine then Maureen would not have survived, so we are incredibly grateful for the equipment we have. 

 

 


Safe Stoves

Leonard is doing a good side-line in safe stoves.  There is a large order for them from Mutolere Hospital and even Kisiize Hospital quite far from us, has put in an order.  These stoves are made from a special clay mix which means the stove is not hot to touch on the outside.  Not only does this make it safer for children but the lack of heat loss makes them more efficient in fuel. 

Officially Leonard is on leave but he has come to work on them to keep up with the orders.  Half the price goes to Potter's Village funds and Leonard keeps the other half.  As the workshop is beside the Medical Centre, he hopes to spread the knowledge of their usefulness throughout the community.


nappies, nappies everywhere

In order to cut costs, we are using terry nappies in our top two rooms.  That means that 17 babies are in nappies for the daytime and revert to Pampers at night.  As we move into the wet season this will cause greater problems in getting them dry but we will be inventive. 

Nappy liners are a problem.  We are washing and reusing those only in contact with urine in order to make them last.  If anyone is sending out parcels then nappy liners will be a great help (biodegradable ones).  Also something for whitening if it is not too heavy.  We had some Napisan but it weighs a lot in luggage.


Help from a wonderful team

A team from Manchester came out to spend time helping the Diocese and us at Potter's Village.  Not all visitors are that keen on small babies - and that is fair enough.  One team member was an Artist and brought out some paints.  She painted us a beautiful mural on the wall of the ward.  You cannot see the sparkly gold but the total effect is wonderful and it lifts the room marvellously.


Wonderful outcome

It has long been a problem of how / where to resettle Doreen, our little girl with severe cerebral palsy.  If she were to be resettled into the community then clearly the family would need ongoing support. 

The Father and many of his relatives relocated further north in Uganda, leaving only aged Grandparents nearby.  However we asked the Father to come down and talk about the problem.  The end result is that Doreen has gone to live with her Father and extended family.  Thanks to the generosity of her sponsor, we send money every month for a day Carer for her.  Geoffrey has been up to visit and they have found a lovely lady, an ex-nurse, who is devoted to Doreen.  There is also hope of obtaining a wheelchair for her through a charity working in Kampala.  We are delighted this has worked out so well.


A new holiday destination

Eva has come back to us for a holiday.  Uganda is asking people to register for ID cards and for census.  Eva's foster mother has had to travel to Tanzania to find a copy of her marriage certificate and asked if Eva could stay with us.  We wondered how Eva would react but she has settled brilliantly from the start.  She is outgoing and chatty and loves following the Carers around carrying things for them.  It is delightful to see how confident she is.  We will miss her when she goes again.

 

 


Please pray for us

As Potter's Village increases in size inevitably costs will also increase.  Please pray that we continue to find funding and support in order that we can continue to expand and save the lives of those who need us the most.

Give Thanks to God for:

  • Happy resettlement of our children
  • Hardworking staff and their commitment to the project
  • All those who support us worldwide in our vision
  • The growth of work and reputation of the Medical Centre

Please Pray for:

  • Sonia, help her to settle in her new role.
  • Sue and the senior staff team, who work tirelessly for these precious children.
  • Please pray for a better understanding in the community of what we do.  
  • Pray for the new Board in Uganda which includes Local Government Officials and members from the Diocesan Council.  Pray we gel well together and form a useful and productive body
  • Praise for the continuing growth of the Medical Centre.  Praise also for new equipment bought from specifically donated funds
  • Praise for our recently settled children who are thriving in the Community.  It is so good to see them return each month looking relaxed and healthy