Monday, 28 October 2013

First Business Class Graduation!

On Monday we had our first round of caregivers graduate from the business class!



Our pastor, Julius, opened us all up in prayer.


Juliet, our income generating director, ran the program with Susan, one of our social workers translating. Juliet talked about all the women had learned, how they were ready to start successful businesses, and even threw in an inside joke or two about attendance :)


Proud graduates!


The caregivers 


The caregivers and their kids!


Then we celebrated with cake and ice cream! [probably the kids favorite part]



Now that they've graduated, the caregivers have applied for grants. Last week we went over all their proposals and will be awarding them all grants to start their businesses this week. 

Such an exciting day!

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Meet the Abide Staff!

The Abide family has GROWN much in the last few months. We have barely had time to catch you up on who has been added to the Abide staff. These folks make Abide possible. They serve and love the families at Abide so well. We are beyond blessed with a wonderful staff who work well together and who are just as passionate as we are to see "Children in families, not orphanages".

If you have ever donated to Abide, your donations help us pay for these folks to work at our center. You make each one of their positions at Abide possible. We thank you for helping bring these people into our lives so that they can reach the lives of vulnerable families struggling to provide for their children.



Meet our full-time Pastor

Julius received a B.A. in theology from Global Theological Seminary in Jinja, Uganda. He has been a pastor for 10 years and is currently a pastor at Rivers of Life Church in Jinja. Julius states that “life is the most precious gift that God has given us” and he enjoys working at Abide because he is given the opportunity to express his pastoral abilities and “remind families of their obligations to live by God’s principles, in the life manual, called the Bible”. At Abide Julius facilities bible studies to staff and caregivers, supports the social work team, and provides counseling services to caregivers/families.


Meet our Social Work team! {from left to right}

Adonai (Social Worker) received a B.A. in social work/social administration from Uganda Christian University in Mukono Distract. He has been a social worker for 8 years; prior to Abide he was a social worker at Rapha Orphanage. Adonai states that he enjoys working at Abide because it is “a good social place where we can carry out our abilities to assist families…it is a social change place, which is causing a positive impact upon the community”. At Abide he manages a caseload of families by promoting income generating, counseling, and advocating for children and families rights.

Juliette (Income Generation Director) studied development economics at Makerere University. She has work experience at the probation office and is pleased to have Abide be her first professional job. She enjoys working at Abide because she is inspired by female empowerment and wants “everyone to have a smile on his or her face”.  At Abide she conducts business classes to the caregivers providing them skills and education. She focuses on assisting with business proposals that the caregivers present to the staff. She also attends home visits with the social work team to evaluate the caregiver’s business projects.

Susan (Social Worker) received a B.A. in social work at Uganda Christian University in Mukono Distract. This is Susan’s first social work position; previously she completed internships at Compassion International. Susan enjoys working at Abide because she is helping the community, which she believes in the main role of a social worker. She enjoys working with children because of their fun personalities and interesting characteristics. At Abide she manages a caseload and enjoys her time going into the community conducting home visits and advocating for the rights of the family.


Meet our Assistant Home Manager

Julie  is an excellent tailor, receiving individual training 2 years ago. She developed her practice making curtains, pillows, bags, children’s clothing, yoga mat bags, stuffed animal toys, etc. She enjoys working at Abide because the job allows her to help her 5 children – 2 of which are adopted. As home manager she will assist with shopping, assisting the pre-school, and tailoring. Julie states that “she enjoys getting to know new people and working with children” and believes that Abide supports those who are disadvantaged.


Meet our WONDERFUL Cook
Mary is a seasoned cook working for 12 years at Nile Vocational Institute and 5 years at Kagoma Nursing School. She enjoys working at Abide because the income is stable compared to working in gardens. She states that Abide provides her with stability. Mary states, “I use to be sick, but because of Abide I am able to support myself, also I feel good when others enjoy my work”. At Abide Mary provides an excellent selection of Ugandan cuisine, such as matoke, chapatti, greens, etc for the staff and caregivers.


Meet our Day Guard

John  has been a guard for 14 years previously working at Jinja Steel Organization and St. Jude Primary School. John has a strong love and respect for his job, stating, “I love myself as a result”. He states that he enjoys working at Abide because he “enjoys the job within his life”, adding that he feels at peace working at Abide. At Abide John protects the caregivers and staff by managing the property and regulating visitors.

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

Go Back To School, Give Back to Families

[Well we clearly suck at blogging. Sorry about that, gonna get better. PROMISE]

While you've properly recovered from having your kids home ALL SUMMER LONG and fallen into the routine of making lunches and nagging kids about homework, here at Abide our educational programs are growing too!

We launched our first business class for the caregivers currently in our program. We got some fabulous curriculum from Fount of Mercy and our income generating director, Juliet, is rocking as the teacher. There are seven woman in the class now and while their caregivers learn about how to run successful businesses their kids hang out with our future day care teacher, Julie.

In honor of the Mcburney family's donation to our Go Back to School, Give Back to Families campaign we hosted a letter hunt with them last week. It was so much fun. Most of the kids don't speak english so it was a fun way to introduce letters.


"You found the F!"


 Julie translating for me



"Uh-oh, the O is still missing... we have to find the O! An O looks like this..."

This month we will be opening out day care center. The center will provide affordable childcare for kids 0-5 so that parents can work knowing their children are in a safe and educational environment. Please check out our current campaign to help make this a reality!


Click here to see