In 2014, Edwin and I started off with a dream that we never imagined would be become a reality. When the children in the garbage dumps asked us if they were called orphans, we told them no....they were God's little angels. Of course, the next question was, would we build a home for His little angels? At that time, the coffee plantation wasn't cleared to build their dream but the thought never left us. Fast forward to 2025 and look where we are today. We couldn't have done this without your trust, encouragement and your help. This was all a gift for us to continue this dream. Whether it was sponsoring a child or getting us out of some kind of a mess, your compassion and kindness encouraged us all to never give up. Out of the 116 schools in the Jinja school district, we have recently been nominated #1 in performance. Thank you for allowing us to provide all that was needed including some of the most experience teachers.
I'd like to share something with you that has been very difficult for all of us. As most of you know, our girls transitioning out of HOA have been accepted into YWAM. Hope and Desire passed with excellent grades and today they have good jobs in Kampala. Zakia and Eva have been accepted and are now entering into their second year. Mariam and Annette were recently writing their exams just north of us in order to also follow suit. Mariam finished early and came home on the bus with Annette to follow the next day. Annette's bus (van) was hit by a container truck from Kenya and 32 people died. Annette was the only one to survive, but succumbed to her injuries four days later. Normally the children must be buried in their village of birth but due to these circumstances, the leaders allowed us to start a cemetery on our property for all our Home of Angel's children.
Annet arrived to Home of Angels when she was 8-years old and had suffered more than most. Both her parents died of AIDS when she was 2-years old and her aunty took her into her hut. When she was 5 years, the aunty poured scalding water over her body and she was severely burned. She went to prison, but when she returned, little Annet was forced to live with her again. It was a few years later when we learned of this and asked if we could bring her to live with us at Home of Angels. Because of the brutality on such a young child, the answer by the officials was yes.
Meet Precious and Edwin, two people that have given their lives to making a difference in this world to raise orphaned children, help the elderly survive and provide food and water to the people who have none.
It was a different Christmas dinner this year. With the weather and Ebola in the air, they decided to hold off until a later time. A wonderful donor provided special food and of course their favourite treat.... an orange soda.
The construction of the Ptarmigan hostel has now been completed. I just wanted to show you the size of the building because to take a picture from below, you can't visualize it with the wall in front. Imagine the same building with all floors looking like the next picture.
Here we go with the first floor of the hostel. I never thought I would say, we need a drone to really capture this. There's a possibly a team may be coming in the summer with a drone and it will be much clearer. Our thanks goes out to Ptarmigan Foundation for all they've done associated with the schools and students. This education could never have happened without them. All of us are so grateful to you.
This is "Mikes House". We had a large sign on the right of the building but it was too heavy to stay attached. We wanted to acknowledge Mike and Linda for all they've done to provide this home for the 26 new teachers hired for the future. As you can see the second floor has been started for future staff.
This is the Nursery school entrance. There are three large rooms for students ages 3 to 5 years old.
At every entrance to Home of Angels, we have hired a guard.
The staff have gone to great lengths to create learning materials in each class. Precious, Edwin's wife is usually found in this room teaching every morning. With her patience, I can understand their ability to learn. She is an amazing woman.
There was an announcement on the radio for enrolment into Ptarmigan schools. Over 1,000 people arrived during the day and the children were all prepared for entertainment.
We were able to bring the Hope for Children to our church at Home of Angels. Pastor Sam spoke with the families and some gifts of food were distributed. These are the families we have been with for many years providing different tools for survival such as making soap, harvesting their crops and selling 2nd hand shoes. Precious has helped to set up each family with a bank account and taught them how to control their money. The village continues to grow and we all continue to help them also. Thank you.....
A journey describes life in this broken world and when we see a spark of hope in children, our job as adults is to help ignite it. Thanks to all of you who are igniting hope into these children. You're making such a huge difference into their survival. God bless you all!
