Grace’s Visi nSpring 2014

and 2013 Annual ReportMeeting Brian

BY RISA HARRISONIn January, Nancy left her job, husband, and family to meet her sponsored child of 11 years, Brian. She didn’t know what to expect, or what she would find, but she knew she was supposed to go. Setting her anxieties aside, she packed her bags.

Nancy’s journey to Uganda began when Children of Grace’s (CoG) Executive Director, Mary Ann

McCoy challenged her congregation to impact the life of a child through sponsorship. Nancy decided to sponsor 10 year-old Brian, who at the time was malnourished and looked to be about seven years old. Throughout the years Nancy has been faithful in writing to

Brian, praying for him, and relishing anything she ever received about him. What Nancy didn’t realize was that

this little boy on the other side of the world was praying that one day he could meet his sponsor, the woman who has been providing for him since his mother’s death.

The first afternoon that Nancy was in Uganda, Brian, now a 22 year-old nursing student, rushed to the CoG office. He had heard that Nancy had arrived. “I looked up, and there was Brian,” said Nancy. “I knew immediately it was him. There has always been a connection between us, but when I saw him for the first time, I knew how much I loved him.”

Nancy and Brian spent a lot of time together over the next two weeks. Brian

(continued on next page)

Setting her anxieties aside, she packed her bags.

Dear Friends,

Last week, Idi stopped by to tell me what he had been doing since graduating last July with a degree in Power and Automotive Engineering from Kyambogo University. Following graduation, Idi was one of three top Ugandan engineering students awarded a full scholarship to intern at manufacturing plants in Kenya and Tanzania. He spent six months rotating from plant to plant, and was thankful for the great experience and opportunity he had been given. He was also recently selected to attend an International Power Conference in Malawi the second week of March.

Idi told me that he would never forget the day we met. He was enrolled in senior four at St. Florence Secondary School and needed money to register for the mandatory National Leaving Exams. Without the registration fees, he could not take the exams, which meant his last four years of study would have been for naught. After his father passed away from AIDS when he was in senior one, he struggled financially to remain in school. His HIV-positive mother was too ill to work, and even though Idi had odd jobs after school and during school holidays, he didn’t earn enough to pay his fees consistently.

The day Idi and I met, I was visiting the headmaster of his school. Idi had been summoned to the office and told he needed to pay or he would not be able to take his final exams, therefore his education was over. As he turned to leave, I saw a young man filled with determination, not defeat, and knew, if given the opportunity, this young man would be capable of not only fulfilling his dream but also making changes in his community. So I turned to the headmaster and said: “Children of Grace will pay the test fees and further support this young man to achieve his dreams.” Today, he has become an educated young man who is dedicated to making changes in his country.

Over the last 13 years, the Lord has given Children of Grace many opportunities to transform children’s lives through education, healthcare, and empowerment programs. Frederick Douglass, former slave and abolitionist, said: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” And that is the vision of Children of Grace. We strive to prepare, not repair, one child at a time.

Always for His Children,

Mary Ann McCoyExecutive Director

(continued) took her to his village and introduced her to his aunt. Nancy saw Brian put his nursing school lessons to work and was able to help him test other students’ vision.

While Nancy was in Uganda, Brian told his friends “I’ve prayed and prayed my sponsor would come to Uganda, and here she is!” Nancy’s visit was the ultimate answer to Brian’s prayers, and his lifelong dream come true.

Brian is a leader, and a difference-maker. He is thankful to God for the gift of Nancy. Without her support over the last 11 years, Brian would likely be uneducated and struggling to survive. They are two unlikely people from opposite sides of the world who have changed the world for one another.

Nancy concluded, “I feel so fulfilled that I have been able to help Brian do something that will help others.”

Using Soccer to Change a CommunityBY KAREN JONES

Last year Job Kwikiriz, a CoG sponsored student, approached CoG with a professional soccer coach to ask for funding to create a local soccer team. CoG was unable to fund the coach's request for a salary, but this did not stop Job from forming the team.

He recruited his friend and fellow CoG sponsored student, Brian Ssali. Together, they rounded up kids from his village to join the team. Soon in the village of Kasanje, more than 40 young boys gathered each day to play soccer under Job and Brian's leadership.

Job tells us that Kasanje is a place where drugs are prevalent, children grow up treating adults disrespectfully, and bad behavior is promoted. Job leads his team with a set of rules, encouraging them to "put God first." He hopes to lead the children in such a way that they will have Christian values and learn to treat people with respect.

Job’s impact on his local community has already been noticed. A local bishop was so encouraged by the work Job is doing that he offered 10 children from Job’s soccer team the opportunity to attend school tuition free.

Job’s future is bright. He has just received his scores from the national exam, was described as “brilliant” by one of his teachers, and is a semi-finalist for a scholarship to a leadership academy.

“Without CoG I would have had a short education,” Job said. “I was always encouraged, and now I want to be an encourager."

Are you interested in joining us in Uganda this summer? Email deana@cpcdanville.org for more information.

SEND YOUR LOVEYou can help your student

feel loved on Easter by sending him or her an Easter card! Simply

write a short note on the enclosed card and mail it

back to us in the envelope provided. We’ll make sure you student receives your

Easter greeting.

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E r!

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PO Box 2394Danville, CA 94526

(415) 766-0981

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Looking back on 2013:96% of our 53 primary seven students received division one

or division two scores (A, B, or C averages) on the national exam

taken at the end of primary school. This is a first for us. We are very

proud of our students!

43 girls attended our Girls Can Retreat.

94 students and 10 studentleaders attended our 2013 Camp AllStars in January.

24 American volunteerstraveled to Uganda.

30 students enrolled in our Scholar’s Program.

1200 medical visits were made to our clinic. Our nurse Carol

is outstanding.

800+ students attended ourannual Christmas party.

264 primary studentsparticipated in Vacation

Bible School.

133 secondary students attended career guidance seminars put on

by their mentors.

292 Americans attended our “Not Forgotten” fundraising dinner and raised more than $90,000 for our

students and programs.

Children of Grace is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization following all US and Uganda governmental requirements. All your gifts are tax deductible as allowed by US law. As a Christian organization, CoG acknowledges that we are account-able not only to our donors and partners, but to God. Donations are used for their intended use, and we look for ways to

maximize the impact of donations. CoG is accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and was determined to be a “top rated” nonprofit organization in 2013 per Great Nonprofits.

* Complete CoG financial reports can be found on our website at www.childrenofgrace.com

• Tuition for school, along with school uniforms and supplies

• School breakfast and lunch

• Boarding school for most secondary students

• Access to our health clinic for medical care with annual health check-ups

• Mentoring by local Uganda staff who model the love of Christ by advocating for our students

• Enrichment programs outside of school such as reading, computer training, career guidance, and character development

• The opportunity to have fun and spiritual discipleship at summer camps, weekend retreats, and Vacation Bible School

What our students receive as a result of your contributions:

Source of Revenues in 2013* (in 000’s)

Total Revenues$779,506

Contributions ($686)

Other Income ($51)

Mission Trip Donations

($42)