She had a great VISION

“The Chilli Children’s Project” or “The 5 Finger Project”

Presentation by Evas Nahabwe to the first meeting of the

Diocesan Management Committee October 2012

The Project was started by Miss Pat Gilmer way back in 1992.

By then it was called ``PAPSCA’’ (Programme for Alleviation

of Poverty and Social costs of Adjustment)

Today it is called N.K.D/RUKUNGIRI GROWERS ORPHANS

AND DISABLED CHILDREN’S PROJECT.

LOCATION & BOUNDARIES

The Project’s Head Offices is at North Kigezi Diocese

Rukungiri – South Western Uganda. The Project’s Activities or Programme covers 4

main Districts. (The former Kigezi)

- Kisoro District.

- Kabale District.

- Kanungu District.

- Rukungiri District.

PROJECT BACKGROUND& BRIEF HISTORY

The Project was started as an initiative by the Diocese to try and strengthen the

safety net of the extended family. Years 1992 – 1995, many orphans were out of

school because of inadequate funds in the extended family. Later funds were sought

and found to fund a major physical registration exercise of all orphans of the Districts

(Rukungiri as a whole… with Kanungu District) as it were. The primary school fees

for orphans who were registered were paid by the Project, as well as tuition for

double orphans who were in secondary schools (1992 – 1995).

At the end of 3 years programme for the initiative could not be aided instead an

income generating component was added with the help of an additional grant to

facilitate chilli growing for the export market. The chilli would provide incomes to

foster parents to meet basic needs such as Scholastic materials for orphans.

During the orphan physical registration exercises many children were observed to

have disabilities of various types; some of which could be corrected by surgery,

others had untreated medical problems and others Deaf, Visual problems and

Learning disabilities.

Miss Patricia Gilmer, the Project Manager and Administrator at that time sought of

funds to facilitate this survey. Since then to date, children with physical disabilities

are being assisted by the above Project.

Today the Project is called “N.K.D/RUKUNGIRI GROWERS ORPHANS &

DISABLED CHILDREN’S PROJECT. Praise GOD so much for the great Vision

through PAT !!!

INTRODUCTION

It gives me much pleasure and privilege to warmly welcome you all to this 1st Annual

General Meeting of the appointed Project Committee Members.

We (the Project) would like to give Glory to the Almighty God for making it possible

for us to meet for the very first time.

Praise God once again, because out of a thousand heads of people you are the right

ones he choose for the Project!... A big welcome to each one of you and be blessed.

We have much hope in you as we both serve God’s people… in this context, the

vulnerable children.

Again in a special way I would like to thank Our Bishop for having spared or offered

his time off his tight schedules to be part of the 1st Management Committee; Bishop

we thank you and Maama Eva Tugume we are proud of both. As a ``Project’’ you

have been there for us before when the project did not have a full Committee

members.

PROJECT STAFF

These include the Staff at the Head Office (N.K.D/Rukungiri Growers Orphans &

Disabled Children’s Project) and their names and positions are indicated below.

1. Mr Tumutende Warren – Head of Chilli section, Field Extension Officer,

Rujumbura /Project Senior Driver

2. Mr Mwesigwa John. - Chilli Field Extension Officer, Rubabo / Newly trained

Project driver.

3. Mr David Kanyonyozi – Chilli Extension Officer Kanungu District. /Nyakibale

Lower primary deaf unit responsibilities &, trained in deaf sign language

4. Mr Nelson Mugabi – full in charge of Project data filing and responsible for

Accounts records working hand in hand with the Project Consultant – Miss Patricia

Gilmer and the Trust Treasurer in the U.K.

5.Mr Jones Byaruhanga – Project Physiotherapist assistant &Club Foot (Posenti

Method) clinics in Rukungiri and Kanungu Districts.

6.Miss Atukunda Generous - Project Secretary.

7.Mrs Evas Nahabwe – Project Manager & Project Occupational Therapist, fully

responsible for the Learning Life Skills Clinics in Rukungiri and Kanungu Districts.

PROJECT STAFF OUTSIDE MAIN OFFICE.

N.K.D STAFF AT KISIIZI HOSPITAL REHABILITATION UNIT.

1- Miss Karungi Jeninah – Cook.

2- Mr Abraham Bashenkana - Cook

3- Miss Loyce Kwarikunda– Matron – N.K.D Rehabilitation Unit.

PROJECT STAFF IN RUKUNGIRI (Outside main office)

1- Miss Hope Ninsiima – Cook/ Matron at Nyakibale Deaf Unit School.

2- Mr Peter Karugaba – Cook at Nyakibale Deaf Unit School.

3- Miss Eunice Niwandinda – Project Hostel Matron in Rukungiri town.

PROJECT CONSULTANT:

Miss Patricia Gilmer.

U.K. BASED - Trustees for the

Chilli Children Trust

1- Bron. Kucharski. - Treasurer.

2- Ian Thorn - Trustee.

3- Paul Wilson - Trustee

4- Sue Woods - Trustee Co-ordinator.

Project hostel for attendants in transit (to & fro) for medication

Trustee members ............... holding a meeting, well done.

PROJECT PARTNERS

KISIIZI HOSPITAL – Kabale:

for Surgical camps & other children’s

medical care throughout the year.

There will be 2012 October- November

Orthopaedic Surgical Camp from

26/10/2012 – 2nd November 2012. Children

will be arriving on Friday 26th Oct. and

operations begin on Monday 29th Oct-

Friday 2rd Nov. During the camp week, all

the main office staff goes except the project

secretary.

CORSU HOSPITAL –Kampala- Kisubi Entebbe Road

N.K.D G.O.D’s Children with Disabilities who cannot be operated upon at Kisiizi

Hospital are referred there (CORSU.) Orthopaedic and plastic surgical operations

are done at CORSU; some other cases - Urology currently on special arrangement

are being assessed from Corsu.

MULAGO REFERRAL HOSPITAL – KAMPALA

Children with:

- Cancer , Ear, Nose & Throat, Spine deformities, Colostomy patients are

referred to Mulago Hospital for medication and operations.

- Heart / cardiac patients are diagnosed at the Uganda Heart Institute Mulago

- Through Chain of Hope with Mulago UHI –Kato Aggrey had his Cardiac surgery from Denmark.

Spine cases After Before

Photos taken from CoRSU calendar 2012

Baby photos taken from CoRSU

calendar 2012

CURE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL UGANDA – MBALE EASTERN UGANDA

The hospital is in the Eastern part of Uganda. It works on Children with Neurology

problems, these include: each operation is from 750,000/=

- Hydrocephalus.

- Brain Tumours

- Spina bifidas.

KATALEMWA CHESHIRE HOME FOR DISABILITIES - GAYAZA ROAD

KAMAPALA.

The Project links up with Katalemwa Cheshire home for disabilities for special

appliances orders. These are wheel chairs and tri-cycles and raised shoes. At

present there is an order for the wheel chairs. For Alex, Isaac & Abdu Sponsored by

Mission Direct Medical team (2012). These are yet to be picked.

MBARARA – “OURS” Project for Rehabilitation Services.

This is located a few metres before Ruharo Cathedral Church. After every 3 months

period N.K.D Project sends there children for the Western Region Follow up

Programme by the CURE – Children’s hospital, Mbale programme.

Most recent was held on 3rd/October/2012. Next will be on 5th December 2012.

MBARARA RUHARO – EYE CENTRE

Children who are sponsored (of recent by Mission Direct) go for assessment and further investigations; otherwise the Project does not support much children with eye problems especially where surgery is recommended. This is because the funds which come in do not meet all the children’s need and thus genuine priority is given.

MISSION DIRECT. Mission Direct… indeed, they have a mission. They have supported the Chilli

Children’s project back at Home in the UK where some of them on return they

become trustee members for Chilli Children Trust or well-wishers. Here in Rukungiri

they have done tremendous work as it was mentioned earlier at some stages. They

have a full programme with the 5 finger Project activities during their visiting period.

AMAZINGLY, this year they have started an AMAZING project at Kitazigurukwa by

building the unit for children with special needs, one classroom was completed and

plans are under way that next year it should open officially with effect from first term.

We (The project) return the glory to God for this ministry. All that mission direct is

doing, we cannot put it on paper… may the Almighty God bless each one of them.

New classroom

RONDAVELS HOTEL IN RUNKUGIRI

Mission Direct visitors reside at Rondavels Hotel. They have some game activities

with the deaf pupils of Nyakibale lower primary school every Thursday afternoon

during their visit; they play together and share a lot with the deaf children. Thank you

Rev. & Mrs Tumusiime, for the love you have too towards these children.

PROJECT FINANCIAL ADVISOR:

Since September 2005 to date the Rt. Rev Bishop Patrick Tugume has been

there for the whole Project.

Thank you Bishop Patrick for your endless great support and advice. In fact, to

some of you this is to inform that “he has been the Project Committee Member on

his own!!. Praise God for he has made it and all efforts appreciated Reference:

News Letter Spring time 2012………………

Change is a fact, the Bishop prayed for New Committee to take over him.

True the Project needed a Committee and We praise God for leading our Bishop to

appoint each one of you to serve in this Special Ministry of vulnerable children… it is

most touching a project in reality I am sure you will enjoy it’s activities.

Deaf pupils with a smile.

NORTH KIGEZI DIOCESE

All church Leaders under North Kigezi Diocese have spread the good News to their

respective communities about the Project’s ministries of supporting and improving

the living conditions of the vulnerable children. These church Leaders are our

ambassadors; praise God for their ministry on behalf of the Project. Keep on,

keeping on

THE NEIGHBOURING DISTRICTS & COMMUNITIES

There is good atmosphere in the Districts & communities where the Project’s

programme covers; the prior 3 mentioned Districts (Kisoro, Kabale & Kanungu) and

Rukungiri communities. The social stigma which these communities /families used to

have towards children with disabilities; this is now changing though to a certain

extent!! which has left the Project to work in a cool environment. The project is open

throughout the year and people come in for these services which in return are

rendered irrespective the child is in the beneficially section of The 5 Finger

Programme.

ESCO UGANDA COMPANY LTD

This is a Company where the grown Red Chilli by the Project registered farmers is

being sold. Each kilogramme at 8,000= and then the Project pays the farmer 6,000/=

per kilo. At this stage I hope everyone now knows that this is an income generating

activity that serves Communities of Rukungiri and Kanungu only Note; Kisoro and

Kabale Districts are not Chilli grower as their Climate does not favour the crop.

SCHOOLS AS PARTNERS

Below is a list of Schools/Institutions/Universities where the Project has Children who

are being sponsored.

- NYAKIBALE LOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL- where the Project is responsible for

50 pupils.

Peter Karugaba the cook – Deaf unit

Warren smiling in the Chilli store – October harvest.

- St Helens Mbarara Primary School - Simon Peter Byamukama ” – blind.

- Hornby High School – “Owomugisha Warren.”

- Butogota Trinity College – “Norbert Kyomukama.”

- Kyambogo University – “Muhwezi Christopher.” - - Makerere University – “Akampa Laban.”

- Nkumba University – “Mwine Courtesy”

- Wakiso Senior Secondary School - “Mpumwire Fransiska.”

- Mengo School for the Physically handicapped – “Amos, Amon, Bruce”.

NB: Alice could not go back so we hope Kitazigurukwa will help take her up again. (These children Alice & Abdu we hope will go o Kitazigurukwa).

- Ndere Primary School - “Amumpeire Charles” primary five.

RUTI – REHABILITATION MBARARA

4 ( Deaf ) girls who completed Deaf unit Primary Seven at Nyakibale lower have

joined Ruti–Rehabilitation centre for special skills training - one year programme.

THE PROJECT’S OTHER UNKNOWN PARTNERS;

These are well-wishers who get to know the Project’s programme via Web site and

through News Letter reading the News Letters are prepared by the Trust Members

from U.K. at present Sue Woods Project Trust coordinator is much involved. These

are finally sent or posted to various people who have an interest.

MEANS OF TRANSPORT

The Project’s Staff uses Motor cycle, and Vehicles to reach out for these

programmes.

- There are 5 Motor bikes for (Warren, David, John, Jones & Nelson).

- The Project has a chilli Track/Lorry for chilli field activities; harvest and it’s

transportation, to Kampala, and delivering food at Kisiizi Rehabilitation Unit

whenever there is a Camp and Nyakibale Deaf Unit school.

- The Ambulance takes children for Medical assessment in various centres and

taking children to Kampala term beginning and ending, shopping Drugs from

Joint Medical Store.

- The Project has a new vehicle RAV4 UAS 076D for an Occupational therapist

field extension services and other official duties conducted by the Project

manager. The new vehicle replaced the Suzuki UAJ 438 C which was sold to Mr

Benon Magezi.

HOW DOES THE PROJECT GET THE CLIENTS WHO ARE HELPED AND

SUPPORTED?

Through Project surveys, for example this year 2 Field extension surveys were

conducted to assess and register children for October operations down at Kisiizi

hospital. The Districts covered are Kanungu and Rukungiri District.

KABALE DISTRICT August 2012

A total of 86 Children were seen and the following recommendations were made;

- 15 Kisiizi camp October 2012

- 10 To go to CORSU.

- 26 Referred to Kabale hospital for Occupational Therapy services.

- 1 Spine deformity – for Mulago hospital.

- 2 New Colostomy case – need sponsorship.

- 1 Hand plastic surgical case

- 8 Post operations came for review.

- 10 Deaf children ready for school next year – Kitazigurukwa- may be.

- 5 Children need shoes raised e.g

- 2 Children with Neurology referred to “OURS” Project in Ruharo Mbarara.

- 7 Other general Medical cases.

KANUNGU DISTRICT Project Survey in Kanungu from 8th- 13th of August 2012.

A total number of 138 children were seen and their future plan is shown below;

- 12 Cases referred to CORSU - 32 Cases referred to Kisiizi for October Orthopaedic surgical camp. - © 41 Cases – Learning Life Skills clinics. - 53 Cases – had general inquiries which the Project does not attend to, but

were given some advice.

Learning life skill clinic and club foot (clinics – Evas& Jones)

Ref. To the Five Finger Project

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2012.

The CHILLI GROWING COMPONENT:

They have had 2 harvest seasons so far. One during March – April and a total of

kgs………were got.2nd season October has fetched ……………….kilos. Some

indicators of improvements have been observed.

EDUCATION:

One Deaf child has completed with a Certificate in Art & Design at Michelangelo

College of Creative Arts Kisubi – on Entebbe road.

A classroom Block and facilities have been constructed at Kitazigurukwa by Mission

Direct. The work is so AMAZING – may God bless each Member of the Mission

Direct Team for this great ministry.

MEDICAL:

13 Spine Patients were assessed and 2 of them had surgery at Mulago hospital

5 Children operated upon Mbale.( 2 hydrocephalus, one Spina bifida & 2 Tumours)

5 Colostomy cases assessed at Mulago hospital and 4 had surgery.

- Nsimenta Angel - Ayekundire Florence. - Ahereza Ronald. - Turyahebwa Abbey Junior (did not have surgery- more further investigations are

being carried out)

12 Urology cases have been reviewed at CORSU & 4 of them had operations.

- KamukamaEnoth

- MucunguziKeneth

- OrishabaEnoth

- MuhangiTarasisio

While others were referred to Kisiizi Hospital for further investigations these include;

- NiwagabaBaram

- Tumwebaze Allan (Needs Urethra valves) - Tumwesigye Hilary - Abaho Lambert - Akambangira Stuart - Ampeire Brian - Ayijuka Willa

3 Epileptic Clinics have been held where between 20-30 heads come for

medication.

Learning Life Skills Clinics, these are held monthly, both in Kanungu and Rukungiri

Districts. Each clinic an average of 25- 40 attends (Evas responsible).

Clubfoot Clinics, similarly, these are conducted between Kanungu and Rukungiri

Districts. Jones is in charge of these.

16 Commode Chairs/other appliances (crutches, wheelchair repairs, shoe raise and

1 artificial limb for Agnes a senior two girl have been made).

HOW THESE COMMUNITIES GET THE NEWS?

Through Radio Announcement, and seeking permission from the District Medical

Officer of the area and respective churches especially during surveys like the 2

previous ones (Kanungu and Kabale).

FUNDING SOURCE

Praise God, the way he used Miss Patricia Gilmer to have thought of establishing the

“TRUST FORMATION” now referred to as →“The Chilli Children Trust”.

The details of how Donations reach the Trust Bank in U.K are shown at the back of

each News Letter.

.

NB: The transfers from Barclays Bank in the U.K reach the Project via Stanbic bank

in Rukungiri.

PROJECT CHALLENGES

Due to inadequate funds, some of the former Project activities have been reduced or

dropped out completely.

REDUCED ACTIVITIES

1. The number of surgical camps at Kisiizi used to be 6. i.e. four orthopaedic camps

now reduced to only one every year, and the two plastic surgical camps have been

Funding through gift card selling Chilli meal programmes /concert

Through the red chilli paper – made by UK schools in a way of fundraising money for the chilli children project.

Evas enjoying the chilli scarf

redirected to CoRSU. Even the number of clients is reduced; hence the plastic

surgeons agreed we send there the plastic surgical cases, which is cost effective.

2. Also - the other complicated cases – which are orthopaedic go to CoRSU on a

Project booked programme throughout the year for operations.

3. The Heart patients, Ear, Nose and Throat, Cancer and other big Medical

conditions no longer all get Project support unless a specific donation is secured for

them; and instructions given to the Project.

4. The children who go to Cure Hospital – Mbale for Neurology – medication, lowest

operation is 750,000 = some families cannot manage this, a big challenge.

5. Of the 4 districts listed at the beginning of this report most of the Project’s work is

now within Rukungiri and Kanungu. There are not sufficient resources to effectively

cover Kabale and Kisoro.

6. Support to children who are over 18 years, it is a challenge as the Project

supports a child from day 1 - 18 years.

CONCLUSION

I’m sure at this time fellow committee members to the NKD Growers, Orphans and

Disabled Children’s Project everyone has a picture of what type of the Project it is in

terms of:

- Who started it and when

- Who are funders etc.

- Where it operates from / boundaries

- What type of disabilities they support

- The way forward

Members let us agree that the future of this Project is in our hands under God’s

guidance and it’s our responsibility to improve its performance for the benefit of

these vulnerable children and their community. It’s our obligation to increase and

double our efforts to serve as we are called to SERVE and NOT to be SERVED. This

we can manage if only we are “THE LIGHT & SALT OF THE WORLD”. These

children need our support and above all our LOVE & PRAYERS… Prayer changes

things … we can make a difference in the lives of the vulnerable children and they

can RISE above DISABILITY.…“ I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE”

That when we’re gathered, 2 or 3 I will grant your prayer requests. Are we going to

be prayer warriors to the above Project? Be strong and bold, & TOGETHER EVERY

ONE WILL ACHIEVE MORE.

God bless you