July, 2008
FIRST ANNUAL FRIENDRAISER/FUNDRAISER A HUGE SUCCESS!
Our first annual friendraiser/fundraiser at the Screenland Theatre in Kansas City was an overwhelming success! The main attractions included the screening of a documentary film made by Lynne Melcher, African dancing and drumming by children from Kansas City's own Operation Breakthrough, as well as a silent auction of the artwork made by the children at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage Motherhood under the tutelage of artists Jane Voorhees and Lonnie Powell. There was a "store" stocked with African crafts and Change the Truth paraphernalia. There were 450 people in attendance, and we raised just over $40,000 for major projects at the orphanage. Thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers who helped plan and excecute the event... and to those of you in Kansas City who came out for the evening even though the skies were threatening! We received great coverage in the press and feel certain that we have made a lot of new friends for the children at St. Mary Kevin's.
SCHOOL FEE ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED
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.
CHANGE THE TRUTH TEAM I
Six others joined Gloria as she headed back to Uganda on December 2nd. Two talented and well respected Kansas City artists, Jane Voorhees and Lonnie Powell, gave art lessons to the children at St. Marty Kevin's. Two social workers from Kansas City's own Operation Breakthrough, Melissa Mosher and Ann Thomas, conducted play therapy with some of the orphans and taught play therapy methodology to several staff members. Budding filmmaker and CTT board member, Lynne Melcher, made footage for a documentary about our trip that she is now producing, and last but not least, Carol Joseph, a contagiously enthusiastic supporter of CTT, who hails from New York, rounded out our merry crew. It was an amazing and profound journey for each of us. We accomplsihed a surprising amount in a relatively short period of time. Click on the PICTURES page (on the menu to your left) to see photos from our trip. You can read about our experiences at www.gloriainafrica.blogspot.com.
MEDICAL MISSION
Plans are now underway for the next trip to Uganda. It will take place in December, 2008. CTT is looking for a few good docs and nurses who would like to provide medical assistance to the children at the orphanage. Please contact Gloria for more information.
NEW EMPHASIS TO BE PLACED ON FUNDS FOR FOOD
One of the most startling truths we learned on our trip in December is that from day to day, the availabilty of food is a challenge. CTT will now place 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 have risen 50% since we we there just six months ago.
GIVE A GIFT THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
It is now possible to make a donation to Change the Truth in honor or in memory of someone special. Just let us know when you make your contribution who you honoring, and we will notify the recipient with a handwritten note.
GRANT RECEIVED FROM THE MISSOURI ARTS COUNCIL
Change the Truth was granted financial assistance from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency, for the productio of a documetary film about the mission trip made this past December to St. Mary Kevin's. The film is being made by Lynne Melcher and will be featured at the June 12th event at the Screenland in Kansas City.
REQUESTS FOR CTT PRRESENTATIONS
Several churches and youth groups have benefited from a presentation given by Gloria about the orphanage in Uganda. Gloria will arrive complete with power point, video, lecture, CDs of the kids' choir, beaded jewelry the children have made and Change the Truth t-shirts! If you are interested in scheduling a presentation, please contact us.
BRICK MAKING PROJECT
The first major project CTT has funded, other than providing school fee assistance, is 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.
