Domest ic abuse in Uganda is at absolutely shocking levels. Figures obtained by the Uganda Law Reform Commission show that 78% of women experience some kind of domestic abuse. River of Life’s Roots Ministry Team goes out to villages to try and begin to put a stop to it...

For the 200 odd men and women crowded under a make-shift shelter waiting for the Roots Ministry Team, violence is just part of every day life. Across Uganda, armed conflict, alcohol abuse, poverty and cultural attitudes all help account for the pervasive, destructive acceptance of abuse in communities. And so for many men and women thinking of a life without violence is almost impossible.

Different studies tell us different things - but they all point to the same ticking time-bomb. One 2006 study tells us 66% of respondents, men and women, had experienced violence, another 2007 report claims 68% of married women aged 15-49 had experienced some sort of abuse from their spouse.

Perhaps most worrying of all, 77% of 15-49 year old women feel that violence in marriage is justified for any number of reasons - like burning food or refusing sexual relations (according to a UNICEF 2008 Report) - whilst another study claims that 60% of men and 70% of women condone wife beating.

River of Life News

In some areas, violence is at the heart of a new marriage. A prospective husband is required, by stealth and strength, to steal in to his bride-to-be’s village and physically over-power and subdue her, with her brothers and uncles watching to make sure he is sufficently macho.

It’s all a depressingly long way from God’s ideal: “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25), which is why t he Roo t s M in i s t r y t eam was established. With Mary back, the time was right to do the first Roots Ministry of 2012. So in the last week of January we got ready to go, with prayer, teaching and planning!

Then for two days we were out, deep in the South Ugandan countryside. Through personal testimonies, teachings on ‘Love Languages’ and ‘How we learn’, specially planned children’s sessions, praise and worship and ministry time, Mary led us as we carefully peeled back the culturally accepted norm that ‘violence is ok’ and exposed it for the destructive bondage that it is.

Many, women especially, responded to the sessions, and came forward for prayer ministry to be set free from the bonds of violence. The vision of Roots isn’t to leave it there though - we’ll be back to help them continue walking in their new found freedom.

Tom has just started the all important final year of Primary

School, and needs a sponsor!

Hannington has starred in his O Levels, can you help him realise his

dream and go on to A levels?

Tony wants to continue doing vocational training as a mechanic -

can you help?

William has just started P6, the penultimate year of primary school

- he needs support to make it!

To sponsor a White Eagle, simply email us on sponsor@riveroflifeuganda.org

or call 0161 408 0205Our challenge is to see more of Nyendo’s 4,000 orphaned and vulnerable children ‘Flying High!? - Can you help? Sponsorship starts from just £15 per month.

Ministering to victims of abuse

Together for teaching

The Roots Ministry Team 2012

Praise the Lord! It’s been an action-packed start to the year... Mary was in Uganda for 6 weeks in Jan/Feb, and was able to join the other Directors for the first time in over a year. She led a Roots Ministry (see below), preached, met with Masaka’s Pastors and still found time to do up our home! I on the other hand, banned from travelling on Doctors orders, stayed in the UK and enjoyed a 40 day prayer vigil - although as usual I was constantly on the phone and Skype to the guys out in Uganda. Enjoy our latest newsletter!

Breaking the bonds of violence in Uganda

Latest sponsorship opportunities...

Duncan continues to improveDuncan is steadily improving after his Stem Cell Replacement Therapy Treatment last year. He’s been able to get out and about a bit more, including trips to Kingdom Advance Network in Burton. However, he’s stil l

vulnerable to infection and has had a few colds which have knocked him back. Please continue to pray for him!

We say goodbye to GeoffGeoff has been with us since October, and we said farewell to him in February. He threw himself into Synergy, the White Eagle Project, Schools Ministry and the rest of River of Life with an enthusiasm and commitment that we will miss! Thank you so much Geoff, and we hope to welcome you back soon!

Responding to Uganda’s Blood CrisisD u r i n g s c h o o l h o l i d a y s , Uganda’s hospitals get low on blood as their main donors are older school students. Back in January, responding to an urgent call from Dr Sarah at Kitovu, a ROL Team went up to

boost reserves - some more happily than others. We plan to get the Mobile Blood Bank down to church in holiday times to help ensure our hospitals don’t run out. (You can read the full story on our blog: ugandariveroflife.blogspot.com)

A trip to Lake NabugaboJanuary sees our annual outing to Lake Nabugabo, a beautiful and safe swimming spot about 12 miles outside town. The White Eagles and staff and volunteers at River of Life had a fantastic day - special thanks to Trustee Margaret who made it happen once again!

Completion of the first ROL WellIn our last newsletter we spoke of a new initiative to protect and purify water sources in Nyendo. We’ve now completed the protection of the first shallow well - many thanks to all those who worked hard to make it

happen, including St Berteline’s Church, Runcorn and Bristol Cathedral Choir School’s Fundraising efforts!

Congratulations to our O Level StudentsSpecial mention must be made of our super White Eagles who have completed their O Levels - Hannington, Brian, Sylvia, Bernah. We wish them all the best in their next steps!

News in Brief

Gift Aid is the Government scheme which allows charities to claim back the income or capital gains tax on a donation. It’s a fantastic boost to charities, as it effectively means your donation is worth 25% more!When we reclaim Gift Aid on your donation, our policy is to treat this as a contribution to our General Fund. This will enable us to plan for the future and manage our finances more effectively. It will help us fund those things that are more difficult, but no less vital, to fundraise for. You can of course opt out of this if you wish simply by letting us know.

How we use Gift Aid

With a massive thank you to all who made this possible, the White Eagles can now look forward to milk, yoghurt and maybe even some cheese courtesy of our new cow!

About a year ago Uncle Kayima, our Farm Manager, planted some elephant grass declaring “you never know, maybe one day we’ll have a cow”.

Then, about 6 months ago, he started making noises about needing a cow-shed. Acting oblivious when it was pointed out that we don’t have a cow to put in it, the logic he preferred was that we had a tonne of elephant grass to get rid of, and the best thing for that job was a cow. Which needed a shed.

And because God is good, and you guys are generous, we were able to squeeze our budgets and Kayima got his shed. And a mighty fine one it is too. Of course, it seemed ridiculous to have a shed, a load of feed and no cow, and so, again through your generosity, on Feb 8th we became the proud owners of a Hybrid Friesan, which, all things being equal, should give us a couple of gallons of milk every day!

Synergy Spor ts S t ra tegy i s our new Community Sports Initiative. It’s all about enabling young people to reach their God given potential, in sport and in life, through training, life skills coaching and Christian teaching and mentoring. Sounds good eh?

Over the years we’ve been involved in various Sports Initiatives, believing with Mr Nelson Mandela that “Sport has the power to change the world!”. Most recently we were working with a local Football Academy, Ball Line, but when that relationship came

to an end last year, we decided to change gear and ramp things up a bit! It’s been an exciting few months, with a tournament (which the Synergy senior team lost in the finals on penalties - agony!) new training and discipleship programmes for over 60 boys and building relationships with schools. We’re also very proud to be able to say that 21 of the lads have won education bursaries on the strength of their sporting ability! We need funds to keep up the work - can you help? Get in touch!

Facebook & Twitter - the best way to keep up to date!Facebook: www.facebook.com/riveroflifeugandaTwitter: riveroflife

Synergy Sports - Changing Gear for a New Year!

‘Flying High’ - meet the White Eagle Home Grads!

Sserwanja’s working on the Farm to earn

pennies whilst training to be a Driver

Brian joins the River of Life Staff Team as Synergy Sports

Strategy Head Coach

Charles is continuing to his BA in Business, and is supporting himself as

a Photographer

Nico hopes to set up in business as a Computer Technician - fixing all the ropey computers around!

We’re incredibly proud of these four young men - Sserwanja, Brian, Charles and Nico. They’ve taken the bold step of moving out of the White Eagle Home and spreading their wings to ‘fly high!’

Friday 10th February was the big day. Mama Kat and Esther cooked up a storm, Rob got into his kanzu (traditional Baganda dress) and we held the first graduation of 2012, washed down with a soda of your choice! Each of the lads gave a stirring speech testifying to God’s grace and the love they had received at the Home; Emily, the Director and Rob gave speeches and presented graduation certificates and Mama Kat gave a speech on behalf of the staff. Of course, they are all still supported by the White Eagle Project through continued education, training, employment or business advice and start-up capital, but as any parent knows, it’s a big day when you realise your kids have grown up and it’s time for them to stand on their own two feet!

Down on the Farm... there’s a brand new cow!

www.riveroflifeuganda.orgPublished by Uganda River of Life Ministries (UK charity 1110595)

136 Essex Road, Leyton, London, E10 6BS e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org

Save the Date!Saturday 12th May 2012

The First River of Life

Black Tie Annual DinnerDoors open 7pm, tickets £25, available from

events@riveroflifeuganda.org to be held at

Browns Old Jewry, LONDON

Uganda River of Life Ministries

Uganda River of Life Ministries (UROLM) exists to support the work of the River of Life Church in Nyendo, Masaka For more information please visit our website, email us or write to us at 136 Essex Road, Leyton, London, E10 6BS

www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org UK Registered Charity 1110595

Friday 9th March Dear Friends

Thank you for your support and prayers! River of Life Church wouldn’t have half the impact it has without you. Enclosed is our latest Newsletter and White Eagle Project Report – I do hope you enjoy finding out what’s been happening out here in Uganda over the last few months.

I’m writing this letter to you from the River of Life Church office in Nyendo, Masaka. Nyendo is a busy, dirty, trading post of about 35,000 people. It suffers from twice the national HIV/AIDS incidence rate, most of the people have extremely limited access to clean water, and there are over 4,000 children classed as ‘orphan or vulnerable’.

As you can see from our newsletters, we’re able to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of people in Masaka, and all over Uganda, because of the generous support of people like you all over the world. I feel very privileged to be part of this work but the truth is there is far more that needs to be done! We’ve only scratched the surface of the Orphan and Vulnerable Children’s Crisis in our community, our community’s health and clean water needs, and the need to disciple leaders to ensure a better future for Uganda.

I’m particularly mindful of how much more we could do when I see children like eight year old Joan*. She was abandoned first by her father, and then by her mother when she was 4. Her elderly Grandmother was unable to support her, so she returned to her father, a marijuana addict and an alcoholic. She was repeatedly abused, until she was rescued in 2010. Joan has undergone medical treatment and is now staying with a potential adoptive family. But they need help if Joan is to flourish, mentored, encouraged and given a good quality education. We desperately want to step into situations like these, and offer support.

Some of you have already given so generously, but could you consider giving again or spreading the word amongst your friends and family to see if they can help? There are three main areas of our work that we urgently need funds for:

1. The White Eagle Project: We are resettling a number of our older lads, and need extra funds to help them set up small businesses, and continue education or training. We have also identified over 30 of some of Masaka’s most vulnerable children, who need our help now. Just £30 a month can get these children into quality schools, and onto our mentoring programme. We also need a further £20,000 to fully fund the White Eagle Project for 2012.

2. The River of Life Farm: it’s rainy season and it’s time to plant now! We want to develop an acre of coffee and an acre of plantain. This will significantly increase our sustainability (once the plantations are mature). The total cost is £3,000, but every little helps!

3. Our Community Outreach Team: We support many destitute families, people living with HIV/AIDS, and the impoverished elderly. Without our help many would be homeless, and their rent is due now! The total bill for the year is £1,000.

If you, or anyone you know, can help, please use the response form overleaf!

In the meantime, please let me draw your attention to our first ever Annual Dinner on May 12th – details on the back page of the Newsletter. It would be great to see you there!

Thank you so much for considering our appeal, may God bless you!

Rob Davies, Chairman, UROLM

Thank you!

Uganda River of Life Ministries Appeal Response Form

Uganda River of Life Ministries (UROLM) exists to support the work of the River of Life Church in Nyendo, Masaka For more information please visit our website, email us or write to us at 136 Essex Road, Leyton, London, E10 6BS

www.riveroflifeuganda.org e: info@riveroflifeuganda.org UK Registered Charity 1110595

Please return this form to UROLM, 136 Essex Road, Leyton, London E10 6BS

Yes! I want to help transform the lives of the poor and needy in Masaka, Uganda by

Helping our older White Eagles to ‘Fly High’ with a one-off gift

Sponsoring a child through the White Eagle Project, ensuring they receive a quality education

Improving our Food Security and Sustainability through developing the River of Life Farm

Meeting the immediate needs of our destitute families, by helping them with their rent.

Giving a one-off gift for River of Life to use for other urgent needs we encounter

Setting up a regular gift for River of Life to use for other urgent needs we encounter Your name ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Your address …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………Postcode……………………………………….……….

Your email ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I have made a one-off gift of £………………………. by cheque/transfer for the purpose stated above

I have set up a regular gift of £……………………… every month for the purpose stated above.

Please make cheques payable to Uganda River of Life Ministries, and include them with this form. Transfers and Standing Orders can be made to Uganda River of Life Ministries, Sort Code 40-06-23, Account no. 31418998 (HSBC Bank plc, 20 Electric Parade, South Woodford, London E18 2LX).

Alternatively, do it online at www.go.to/donate (this will automatically go to our donation page with BT)

Gift Aid Declaration for Uganda River of Life Ministries (no. 1110595)

Your Full name:………………………………………………………………………………………… (BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE)

Address:……………………………………….. ………………………………………..………………………………………..……………………………

……………………………………..………………………………………..………………………Postcode………………..……………………………… Declaration for tax reclaim purposes: I declare my intention that tax should be recovered under the Gift Aid Scheme on all donations I make to Uganda River of Life Ministries from this date. I understand that I must pay enough income tax or capital gains tax in each tax year to cover the total amount of tax that Uganda River of Life Ministries (and any other charities that I make gift aid payments to) will reclaim on my giving. I have read and understood the note below. Signed ……………………………………………………………………………………… Date ………………………………………………………….

Please note: If you cease to be a taxpayer, or to pay enough tax, you should notify us because if too much tax is recovered on your giving, you will have to refund the Inland Revenue. You can cancel this declaration at any time by simply writing to us. 100% of your donation will go towards the purpose you’ve stated. Our policy is to treat any tax reclaimed under the Gift Aid scheme as an ‘unrestricted’ donation. This is invaluable in helping us fund those activities which are vital to the Charity and River of Life Church but more difficult to fundraise for. If you are not happy with this and want any Gift Aid reclaimed on your donation to go to the same purpose stated above, please tick here: