News and Events
DECEMBER, 2011
TEAM 5 PREPARES TO LEAVE FOR UGANDA!
A group of volunteers will soon be traveling to St. Mary Kevin Orphanage. We will be loaded down with 450 pounds of goodies such as clothing, pen pal letters, puzzles, art supplies, decks of cards, hand-made Christmas gifts, medical supplies, school supplies, toothbrushes/toothpaste, cameras and soccer balls. Team 5 will travel for 26 grueling hours before falling into the open arms and hearing the cheers of the orphaned children. Team 5 is: Lynne Melcher (filmmaker) who is making her third trip to SMK; Bobbi Newman (yoga teacher) who is making her fourth trip; Shane Evans (artist, musician, writer) who is going to SMK for the first time; Suzanne Garr (photographer, yoga teacher) who will be traveling to Uganda for her second time; Michelle and J. Leroy Beasley (artists) who are going for the first time; Avis Smith (therapist) who is making her second trip there; Dawn Taylor (artist, athlete, general cheerleader) who’s making the journey for the first time; Monique Udo (musician and teacher) who’s going for the second time; and Gloria Baker Feinstein, who will be setting foot on Ugandan soil for the sixth time. We all consider ourselves quite lucky and are very, very excited! We hope you will follow along with us as we blog about our adventure.
NOVEMBER, 2011
MILWAUKEE AREA FUNDRAISER
Team 4 and 5 member Suzanne Garr recently held a very successful exhibition/ Change the Truth Fundraiser at Marian Gallery, Mt. Mary College in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Suzanne celebrated the children from the orphanage with an installation of some of the beautiful photographs she made in 2010, screening the Change the Truth documentary (made by Lynne Melcher), selling crafts from Uganda and showing/selling artwork made by the children. All the proceeds from Suzanne’s efforts will go directly to CTT and then back to the very children she honored.
OCTOBER, 2011
SEEING CLEARLY
Change the Truth recently paid for eye examinations for sponsored students who have been struggling with their vision. Now we have purchased glasses for those who need them. Here is Rachel, one of our sponsored students, showing off her new look (literally!).
AUGUST, 2011
MUCH ADO ABOUT MUSIC AT SMK
Monique, who hails from the Netherlands, is just about to complete her month-long volunteer stint at the orphanage. She has worked very hard teaching the children how to read music and how to play the new instruments recently purchased by CTT. She, working alongside music teacher Ivan, seems to have worked music miracles this past month in Kajjansi. We know the children have loved having her become part of their lives and will be sorry to see her go.
JUNE, 2011
4th ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
Thanks to all of you who attended our 4th Annual Friendraiser/Fundraiser! It was a fantastic evening, filled with wonderful art, African dancing, a new movie about CTT, food and drink, African market shopping, a silent and live auction, familiar faces and lots of new friends. Nearly 400 people of all ages gathered at Leedy-Voulkos Art Center to show their support of the Ugandan children whose lives we are helping to change.
The success of the evening was due to the young artists from the orphanage, the KC area artists who participated in the “Doll Project”, a generous crew of volunteers and, of course, those of you who opened your wallets to make purchases.
Every doll sold! Successful bids ranged from $50 to $1300. The paintings by the children all sold, as well. Their work received rave reviews. Just about everyone noticed that the creative talents of the children have greatly improved.
MARCH, 2011
CARTWHEEL FOR A CAUSE AND AN ANONYMOUS DONATION
Bobbie Baker, sister of CTT founder Gloria, created a one-minute video about CTT and entered it in a competition sponsored by the Verity Credit Union in Seattle. The first place prize was $5,000. Unfortunately, the video did not win. A few days after this (sad) news was announced, a kind soul from Kansas City made an anonymous donation to CTT for $5,000. It was a total surprise and completely unexpected. That’s what we call “making lemonade out of lemons”!
FEBRUARY, 2011
NEW SPONSORED STUDENTS
Congratulations are in order! There are five new students who have been given Change the Truth school scholarships. These five graduated from Primary 7 in November and have now been given the school fees required to begin Senior 1. Three have individual sponsors. The generous donors providing these scholarships are to be congratulated for providing a life-changing opportunity to a child who wants nothing more than to be able to go to school. The happy students are (from left to right): Ivan, Brian, Caleb, Anthony and Sanday.
This brings our total number of sponsored students to 27. And three recent sponsored secondary school grads (Isabella, Nelson and Billy) are waiting to hear about acceptance into University.
DECEMBER, 2010
CTT RECEIVES ANOTHER GRANT FROM THE GOOD PEOPLE FUND
Change the Truth has received a generous grant from The Good People Fund! This is the second year in a row we have been the fortunate recipient of funds from this wonderful organization. Last year their grant was earmarked for a brand new laptop computer, some software, several thumb drives and a printer for the computer lab at the orphanage. This year, the money received will be used to establish a library of academic textbooks for the primary school-aged children.
SEPTEMBER, 2010
MELISSA MOSHER BEGINS WORK AT ST. MARY KEVIN’S
A Huge Step Forward for Change the Truth
Melissa Mosher and her son, Atwain, arrived in Uganda a week ago to begin her job as social worker and liaison between St. Mary Kevin Orphanage and CTT. Melissa’s job description includes, among other things:
- Providing emotional support, love and care for the orphans.
- Planning and overseeing the use of CTT funds for sponsorships and various projects.
- Reviewing academic reports and assessing performance and progress of sponsored students.
- Providing school selection advice and career guidance for students ready to enter high school.
- Insuring that all orphans are adequately provided with beds, bedding and clothing, adequate medical care, a nutritional/balanced diet and hygiene materials.
- Helping to identify additional CTT project opportunities.
MAY, 2010
BIRD ROCK COFFEE ROASTERS ROCK!
Team 2 members Tom and Randy frequent a small, locally-owned coffee shop/roasters in La Jolla, California that is owned by a very generous soul, Chuck. After hearing about the kids at the orphanage, Chuck decided to seek out a special Ugandan blend – a dark roasted coffee bean called Bugisu – and to donate $1.00 to CTT for every pound sold. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters are committed to buying coffee beans in a socially responsible manner while they remain dedicated to giving to those in need. If you find yourself in La Jolla, please stop in and tell Chuck that you, like him, are a friend of the children at SMK. And buy a pound or two of Uganda coffee!
APRIL, 2010
Eight new bunk beds, mattresses and sets of bed covers have been provided for the older boys at the orphanage.
FEBRUARY, 2010
LOOKING GOOD!
CTT has purchased uniforms for the St. Mary Kevin Marching Band.
DECEMBER, 2009
Funds raised in La Jolla will go toward the purchase of new mosquito nets for all the childrens’ beds. These will be installed by Team 3. Other Team 3 projects will include book clubs, gardening, art projects, group therapy, collection of the children’s life stories, computer lab updates and computer instruction and distribution of Christmas gifts to the children.
NOVEMBER, 2009
CTT RECEIVES GRANT FROM THE GOOD PEOPLE FUND
Change the Truth has been awarded a grant from the “Good People Fund.” The money was earmarked for the purchase of a brand new laptop, some software, several thumb drives and a printer for the computer lab at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage.
NOVEMBER, 2009
KUTUUKA REVIEWED IN PHOTO-EYE NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER, 2009
L.A. FILM FESTIVAL AND SAN DIEGO FUNDRAISER
The most recent documentary about our work, “Changing the Truth” by Lynne Melcher (board member and participant in the Team 1 and Team 2 trips to Uganda) was accepted into the FILMANTHROPY FILM FESTIVAL in Los Angeles. The festival featureded six short films and three longer ones about philanthrpoic work being done by not-for-profits. Hundred of films were submitted; this is quite an honor for Lynne and a wonderful opportunity for us to spread the word about Change the Truth to people on the west coast.
Speaking of the west coast, Team 2 volunteers Tom Maddox and Randy Clark’s friend MJ generously hosted a San Diego fundraiser for CTT. Tom and Randy spoke to the group about their experiences at the orphanage, showed Lynne’s video and sold beaded jewelry. Thanks to our new wonderful new San Diego supporters, $1800.00 was raised for the kids at St. Mary Kevin’s!
DECEMBER, 2008
CTT FOUNDER RECEIVES AWARD
For her work with Change the Truth, Gloria Baker Feinstein was given the Bodhisattva Award at the 23rd annual World Peace Meditation at the Rime Buddhist Center in Kansas City, MIssouri. The award is given to an individual who works to benefit others.
TEAM 2: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
During December, the eleven members of Team 2 worked hard at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage and accomplished the following: a garden was designed and planted on the grounds of the orphanage, and a team of kids learned how to cultivate it and tend it. Practically every child received a medical checkup and good advice on healthy African living. Many children spent time in therapy, visiting their painful pasts, but also learning to place an emphasis on where they are now in tandem with hope for the future. Children were given the opportunity just to be children – learning to play Go Fish, Sorry and Twister and competing in friendly games of basketball, volleyball and soccer. Their dorms were given a fresh coat of paint, and their beds were outfitted with comfy new mattresses and colorful, warm blankets. A marching band evolved before our very eyes as we equipped the children with trombones, bugles and drums. (Once the musicians/marchers are ready for prime time, the band will be able fetch up to $100 US per performance.) A couple of faulty, old computers were repaired. A lot of wonderful art was made. Old friendships between CTT team members and the children were deepened, and new connections were made. The best news of all is that the children are markedly improved since our trip last year. They are better fed, more hopeful, happier and more focused than ever on their education.
TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES RAISES FUNDS FOR CHANGE THE TRUTH
On December 2nd, from 5 to 8 PM, anything purchased at the non-profit fair trade store, 10,000 Villages in Overland Park, Kansas, will ultimately help the children at St. Mary Kevin’s. Please do your holiday shopping on the 2nd and join us as we benefit unemployed and underemployed artisans from over thirty developing nations, as well as the orphans on Uganda. 10% of all sales will go directly to Change the Truth. 10,000 Villages is located at 7949 Santa Fe Drive in old Overland Park.
NOVEMBER, 2008
CTT PURCHASES RAIN WATER COLLECTION TANK FOR GARDEN AT SMK
OCTOBER, 2008
MAIZE MILL
Thanks to the tremendous number of generous donations we have received lately, we have been able to send the funds necessary for the purchase of a new motor for the maize mill. This will enable the orphanage to produce a large percentage of its own corn meal, which in turn is made into porridge for the children (as well as providing food for the pigs that are being raised on the grounds.)
SEPTEMBER, 2008
NEW YORK FUNDRAISER
A very successful fundraiser was held at the Core Club in mid-town Manhatten on September 8th. A generous donor provided the venue, the food and drink. About sixty-five new and old friends from the New York area attended the event, the centerpiece of which was the screening of Lynne’s documentary about our 2007 mission trip. We even found three people who have made the decision to join us on our next trip to the orphanage! Pictured here are Lynne, Gloria and board member Carol Joseph.
AUGUST, 2008
CHANGE THE TRUTH PURCHASES A MOTORCYCLE FOR THE ORPHANAGE
St. Mary Kevin Orphanage Motherhood became the proud owner of a brand spanking new motorcycle, thanks to generous donations made by CTT supporters. The motorcycle will be used as a “taxi” to generate daily income. It will also come in handy for trips to the market and the medical clinic. Prior to this, St. Mary Kevin’s did not have a motor vehicle at all.
DECEMBER, 2007
MONTHLY FOOD STIPEND
One of the most startling truths we learned on our mission trip is that from day to day, the availabilty of food is a challenge. CTT now places a larger empahsis on raising funds to specifically address this issue. If you would like to earmark your donation for the purchase of food, please do so. It’s hard for a child to do anything productive during the day if his or her stomach is empty. To make matters worse, food costs continue to rise sharply. We have now begun sending a monthly stipend that is designated for the purchase of food for the orphans. More recently, we have begin sending a monthly fee for the employment of a nurse. She checks in on the children on a regular part-time basis and provide medications when needed.
SCHOOL FEE ASSISTANCE
The main goal of Change the Truth is to change lives by providing an education for those children who could not otherwise afford the tuition and materials required for secondary school (our equivalent of high school). CTT is currently assisting the following students with these fees. Henry and Emma Vincent are featured in our video, by the way!
Florence Namaganda
Edward Male
Emma Vincent Mulindwa
Henry Semanda
Gloria Babirye
James Buyondo
Catherine Nanziri
Joseph Mukiibi
Daniel Mukoota
Habibu Muwanga
Michael Sebyetekerwa
Billy Bonny Tumusiime
Zaberah Namatovu
Samarie Nakatudde
Rosette Aikoru
Douglas Semujju
Saka Nsubuga
Martin Ojok
Daniel Okello
Paula Namugeny
The secondary school fees are US $95 per term; there are three terms per year. There are other expenses, as well, including books, uniforms, transportation and in the case of the girls, boarding fees.
APRIL, 2007
BRICK-MAKING PROJECT
The first major project CTT funded, other than providing school fee assistance, was the construction of a brick-making facility on the grounds of the orphanage. The funds CTT granted enabled St. Mary Kevin’s to purchase everything from cement, eucalyptus poles, nails, raw clay material, a pavers machine and a half-brick machine to a ventilation system and brick molds. The beauty of providing this to the children is that the vocational skills learned empowers the kids, and the income generated from the sale of the bricks helps the orphanage tremendously.