Since 2006, the students of Holy Rosary have sponsored 5 school children in Masaka, Uganda (map). These children are Rose Nakato, age 15; Judith Mary Nakimbugue, age 13; Brenda Nakayima, age 11; Elizabeth Nalukaaga, age 11; and Ssamula Charles Dickens, age 11.

Through the faithful support of Holy Rosary School and BASE, their tuition, supplies, and ‘room and board’ are fully paid. ‘Room and board’ means that during the school year, the children live, eat and are clothed at the schools taught by the Sisters of the Daughters of Mary. Their school year is from February until mid-December with 2 short breaks during that time to visit home.

About every 2 years a mission team of Tim Law and others travel to Uganda to meet with the students.

On our last visit in July 2013, the mission team took all 5 children to the town of Masaka and bought new clothes and many other things they don’t get a chance to buy. Each child bought their first pair of new shoes. The shoes they usually wear are used, donated ones that are either too big or small. For the first time they had their feet measured in a shoe store and a new pair that fitted only them. You can imagine how happy they were.

All the children are very appreciative of the help they receive from Holy Rosary. Without your sponsorship they know they would not be in school and have a chance for an education and a good life.

Their families are poor subsistence farmers. This means they grow only enough food to eat but not enough to sell and make money for school fees and other needs. Some of the children have only one parent. They hope with a good education they can become a professional or skilled worker to have a better life than their parents. They each are progressing well in school.

Singing and dancing seem to come naturally to children in Uganda but 2 of our students, Sam and Brenda, are especially talented. Both have an infectious smile and graceful movements and they perform in competitive dance troupes.

The remarkable thing about Sam and his dance partners is that they cannot hear. They go to a special school for the hearing impaired. So they must learn to dance by the vibrations of the beat of the music and watching each other to stay in rhythm. It takes them many years to learn.

Thank you for your love and support of Rose, Judith, Brenda, Betty and Sam.

Kenya

This year the Girl Scout children of Holy Rosary helped to make clothes for the children of Fr. Dunstan’s village in Kenya. The children’s parents can only afford one dress a year for them. So they were truly surprised at the gift from Holy Rosary and kept asking, “How come you did this?” It is not often they get a gift from anyone. They were trying to understand how this could be and why someone who did not know them would give them anything. It was very sweet.

Attached are some pictures. I have some video to show the school and will arrange to do so soon.

Thank you Holy Rosary for all that you do for these children. It is truly remarkable. Jon Barker, Janet Mudge and Donna Jerge-Nass know first-hand the joy you bring to these children.

- Tim Law,
International Missions Coordinator for Holy Rosary