Blog
A Teachers Journey Made Easier
A long time supporter of the House of Jairus project recently donated a new bicycle to Mr Sadati. It was such a joyful moment for all the teachers, students and parents. Read his story.
Mr Sadati has been teaching English at SNPS for over a year. According to his fellow teachers he is the most passionate teacher they have ever met. He comes early to school because he doesn’t want to miss any of the students. He even teaches during his lunch break for those who need extra help. He has not missed one day of school. Mr Sadati has been walking a 10km round trip each day. And has never complained. So when the idea of a bike was raised to ease his tired legs we had an idea.
One of our long time supporters of HOJ, Trista, agreed that we should gift Mr Sadati a new bike. We kept it a surprise for him.
Trista told me that it’s been so good giving to the HOJ. “Every dollar I give I can see exactly where it’s being spent. It’s really on the ground work being led by the community and their needs”
Watch the video to see how it all went.
Supporting At Risk Students
Last year we supported 9 children at Success Nursery and Primary School that were deemed At Risk. These 9 children came from some of our extremely poor families who struggle to provide them with their mot basic needs.
It was decided that each month the HOJ would give a gift of support to these children to help them meet these needs. So far they have been able to purchase items like, shoes, bedding, mosquito nets, maize, sugar, soap and school materials. The smiles on their faces and the letters we receive are so inspiring.
This year we have increased this outreach to support 18 children. The needs are great. Our hope is to find friends in Australia to care, encourage and love these children. If you feel this could be you, contact us for some more information. You won’t regret seeing these young lives transformed.
Return to School post Covid
The students at Success Nursery and Primary School have not been able to attend since March this year. It has been made more difficult with the lack of resources available to them whilst in lockdown. The Ugandan government provided school lessons via the radio and television but most Idudi families are without these privilege’s. But our dedicated teacher and volunteer teams made sure the students weren’t forgotten.
Our teachers were able to visit the children at their homes at different times over the year. It was a great relief to many students to hear that return to school was coming later in the year. Some students were able to borrow readers that were recently donated.
There was much joy amongst the children when they saw the teachers coming to visit.
This month 14 year 7 students were the first to return. So begins the race to prepare them for leaving exams to enter into secondary school.
Only a few will be able to go on to afford this opportunity.
If you would like to help these students follow on to further studies click on our Donate button which will lead you to our donation page.
COVID 19 Food relief appeal
Covid 19 hit Idudi community in early March. They weren't suffering from the virus itself but from job loss leading to devestating food shortages. Families are in lockdown, jobs have been lost and buying food is becoming a major problem for many families. The House of Jairus was able to bring some much needed relief for families thanks to some amazing donations through our food releif appleal
No one could predict the worldwide devastation that COVID 19 would have. Families all around the world, including Australia have suffered with job loss, food insecurity and economic strife. Our Governments have responded in all different ways and fear has swept the world.
As we heard of real and heartbreaking stories from our friends in Idudi community, ‘Lock Down’ meant job loss's, school shut down, widespread food insecurity and feelings of dread. How were our students and families from Success Nursery and Primary School going to get food?
….. And then a miracle happen
Maize
We reached out for help, and our supporters gave generously. Our hope was to give a little relief but God had bigger plans …..
Together with the PCM team we were able to purchase 2,160kg of Maize flour. This is around 2 tonnes.
216 families were distributed to including neighbours who were most vulnerable and in need. The PCM worked tirelessly to serve their community who are so thankful.
Many of them were down to their last meals.
Most families have up to 10 family member. It's believed this food reached over 2000 people.
During this time the PCM team were able to pray and share Jesus with many.
We want to thank all of our generous supporters. Your love means so much to the Idudi community. We continue to support them in many ways.
If you would like to continue helping these wonderful people please donate and continue to pray for doors to open. Together we can break the chains of poverty.
New Desks for Success Nursery Primary School
40 new desks were made and delivered to Success Nursery and Primary School in early March. Prior to this students had been sitting on classroom floors, and trying to read and write made it very uncomfortable for them.
There was a lot of excitement when they arrived. Now students can do their work at a desk and feel like a true student.
New desks arrive
Through generous donations 40 custom made desks were made locally. They can sit 3 to 4 students at each.
Exam Time
Student's now sit comfortably to work and reach their best potential
Living Water Project Director Visits Idudi Community
Idudi community and Success Nursery and Primary School were excited to welcome our friend Allan Toole from Livingwater.org.au in February.
Read about his visit and our plans for new land and community gardens here
Canan and Allan meet
Since 2001, Living Water Development has delivered a number of Water Sanitation and Hygiene outcomes in Uganda, Kenya, Myanmar and Thailand, Pacific regions. These projects have focused on developing the local community to create sustainable methods to access safe water and sanitation. LWD have trained partners in the construction and implementation of Bio Sand Filtration units, solar distillation units and Rope pumps construction including safe excavation and water distribution methods.
Our aim was to assess what the water and sanitation needs were for success nursery and primary school. Allan spent time with Canan and his team surveying the current land and meeting a lot of excited locals.
Currently Success Nursery and Primary school does not have running water and the land sits in such a way that it's prone to flooding. It was advised by Allan that great land works would need to be undertaken to correct and implement this.
Together Living water and House of Jairus agree that the best and most economic option is to find new land for a new school building and enough space for community gardens. We hope Allan can make future visits to Idudi and guide us in our future endeavors.
Thankyou to Allan and his team. We are so grateful to you and the work you do.
See Living Waters attached report for Success Nursery and Primary School.
Halima's Story
October 2019
Go Fund Me page “Hope for Halima” was set up to provide a much needed operation for 10 year old Halima one of Canan’s students. The operation is now complete. Read her amazing journey.
Halima was born without a bowel opening and was 'fitted' with a colostomy when she was one day old. She was meant to have several other surgeries but this did not happen and her mother was told her bowel may never be operable. This information was not from a doctor and subsequently Halima grew up being know as 'the girl without an anus'. 11 years without sitting on a toilet had left her isolated and victimized.
A friend who visited the Idudi community shared a photo of Halima and told us her story. She used a straw to empty her bowel contents and was starting to struggle with being in a classroom all day. The smell became quite overwhelming for other students.
And so it was decided we would raise funds to give young Halima an operation, a new start to life with a bright future. First a colonoscopy was required. Our first hurdle. The doctor said if the gap between the opening and the bowel was more than 3cm it would be inoperable. The result was that it was a 3cm gap and the surgery can go ahead!
People were fearful of the surgery. Many people in poor Ugandan communities were fearful of any surgery as either people return worse off or don’t come back at all! So we prayed night and day for a successful surgery and our prayers were answered. She survived, it went well and there was no infection.
The final surgery came 3 months later. And finally Halima’s bowel is functioning as it should, for the first time in her life. And there was a celebration of passing wind!!! Again the surgery went well, no infection and a little girl, along with her mother have an amazing testimony. There were people, strangers who cared for them deeply, a God who hears our prayers and a Heavenly Father who loves them.
We thankyou for your response, for those who prayed and donated. Your faithfulness has had a ripple effect that has rung in the ears of the Idudi community. xxxx
Progress of Success Nursery and Primary School
Success Nursery and Primary School caters for 230 plus students. Only 1/4 of the children can afford full fee payments of $12 AUD per year, 1/2 can afford $5 AUD and the remainder can not afford any fees. These fees mainly cover exam papers. The School is currently run by a group of loyal volunteers including a cook. Canan Magezi is the only qualified teacher.
Classes commence
Approximately 230 students started school January 2018
Last year the House of Jairus was able to raise some funds to support the hard working staff.
We hope to be able to acquire more qualified teachers which will enable the school to begin it’s process of being an independent school. Canan says if surrounding communities recognize that there are quality facilities and teachers it will attract more full fee paying students and this works towards becoming self sustainable.
Head to our donate page to see how you can support teachers and students!
Proud Students
Newly painted class rooms
Celebrations !!!
Idudi Community News
Young Canan’s story
Canan Magezi is a former sponsor child of Compassion International Uganda (pictured here, 1997). His sponsor was Hayley Quinn from Australia. With the help of Compassion International and Hayley through the Canan was able to study through all the levels of school and was awarded a Bachelor of Science with Education of Kyambogo University, one of the most reputable Universities in Uganda. In addition to that he was awarded a certificate of completion of the leadership development program. Also through attending the Compassion Centre programs, he accepted and confessed Jesus as his Lord and Saviour at a very tender age in a Sunday school.
Canan Magezi
Young Canan’s life changed through child sponership
At university Canan was equipped with many skills including: Public speaking, inter and intra personal skills, carpentry, tailoring and many others. After University Canan worked with SBK international American home school in Uganda Kampala where he was earning a good wage. When God spoke to him about beginning the Parable Church Ministries to reach out with gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Idudi, he responded to the call with his wife Irene. He found support from his family and friends also his childhood sponsor Hayley Quinn from Australia. And through this ministry began Success Nursery and Primary School to offer quality education to children from under privileged families. He acquired a place with un-inhabitable buildings. The teachers and students used this for 2 years until urgent repairs were made. Hayley Quinn mobilized funds with the generous support of friends and family in renovating the structures and also funded some of the teachers salaries who had not been paid for some time.
Canan’s office has been flooded with needy people such as sick children and single parents who are often unable to feed, accommodate and pay school fees for. He says these children are bright and can have a good future with a good education.
Canan as a young person at the age of only twenty eight can not meet all the needs of these people. So together we have joined hands and formed the House of Jairus to support, grow and develop a self sustainable community.
First school structure
For two years students flock to Success Nursery and Primary School, eager to learn. The walls of the school were in great need of repair.
Work begins to re-enforce school structures
Idudi volunteers help cement the walls to eliminate dust and strengthen structure.
Work continues
Many hands make light work! Cement funded by generous donations.
School toilets
The hope is to have toilets with a flush system one day