Tuesday, September 13, 2011

August Update!

Our Impressions

Heidi and Paul

The trip to Uganda this year was life-changing; both for myself and for some very lucky children in Uganda. We spent the two weeks that we were there tuning things up in the home and with the program and showing the kids a good time. As always happens, I fell even deeper in love with the group of them and I found a renewed sense of drive to keep pushing for progress of this fantastic organization so that we can save even more lives.

-- Heidi Kaltur, Executive Director


I have done a lot of traveling over the years and without a doubt I can say that this trip was the best that I've ever been on. I fell in love with the PFP children all over again and spent three days upon my return in tears because I missed them so much. I can say with confidence that the work that we are doing in Uganda is changing and saving lives. I returned to the states with a greater desire to help these incredible kids to thrive and to become all that they are capable of becoming. I also returned with the impression that this work is the greatest blessing that God has ever given me.

-- Ellie Coleman, Co-Founder

Amphy preparing a meal for and with the PFP kids.

One word... BLESSING!!! is how I can describe my trip to Uganda. It's a BLESSING to be able to travel in this part of the world. It's a BLESSING to meet the kids of Peace for Paul. It's a BLESSING to meet new friends on this journey. It's a BLESSING for me that I have been raised by my own parents who provided for me and sent me to school. I realized how blessed I am after seeing the poverty in Jinja. It's a BLESSING to be LOVED by innocent kids though I am a stranger to them at first. It's a BLESSING to get to know, play and hug each kid we have at PFP. And above all, it's a BLESSING that God has given me an opportunity to be a part of the Peace for Paul family.

-- Amphy Calma, Wellness Director

Lisa with one of the little girls we're looking for a sponsor for.
I left my heart in Uganda! Wow!!! Our kids are so amazing. I have never met a group of youngsters who are more welcoming, polite, appreciative, compassionate, hard working and loving in all of my life.

I can't wait to go back and take my family with me. I was nervous to take my 6-year-old daughter with me, but now I wouldn't hesitate. I felt no threat or danger the entire time I was in Uganda. The people were amazingly friendly. My daughter, Gracie, is so excited to go and meet her brothers and sisters. Hopefully in 2012. :-)

If you sponsor one of the PFP kids or are a supporter, I can't encourage you enough to make the trip to Uganda and meet these kids. Your life will be forever changed. And if you have been considering sponsoring a child, please do so - you'll be saving a life.

All I could think about on the way home from meeting the kids in Uganda was when I could go back. What an amazing experience.

-- Lisa McIntosh, Development Director

Uncle Tomasz

This being my first trip to Africa, it was quite the cultural shock as you can imagine. Throughout my travels I had never experienced a country like this. The food, transportation, housing; everything was different. I loved it from the moment I set foot in the foster home. The children came rushing out to greet us, they were all so excited to see the new 'mzungus'. In the short time there my life has been changed and I now consider Uganda my second home. I look forward to going back next year and seeing all of our children again.

-- Tomasz Kaltur, Programs Director

Masese

Most of the children under PFP were living on the streets or in the slums of Masese before they entered our family. Here are some pictures of the slums to give you an idea of what we see when we visit.


We're looking for a sponsor for this little sweetheart.

Heidi with her baby Madison in Masese.


The PFP kids giving back! They wanted to bring their old clothes to Masese.


Lisa McIntosh made a lot of new friends in Masese!




Amphy Calma posed for a group photo.

 Backpacks

To those who donated a backpack this year, THANK YOU SO MUCH!  The backpacks were definitely the highlight of the trip for the children!  Your gifts and letters made them feel so special and loved.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Heidi and Ellie about to pass out the backpacks!

The kids waiting for the green light. :)

Brenda, Agnes Longok and Agnes Lotuke

Longoli with her new tennishoes and babydoll!

Natule with her new doll. :)

Hawa and Auntie Heidi

Apurio smiling while opening up her backpack. :)

Agnes Alyat
So excited about her backpack!


Moses with his new jersey.

Cosmas with his new boombox.

Juma and Auntie Heidi

Natule Gloria so happy to have her sponsor there!

Friday and Tomasz giving the camera a high-five!

Swimming

One of the kids' favorite holiday activities is taking a trip to the swimming pool at a local hotel.  We swam, and swam, and swam some more...

Natule and Friday

Brenda

Rose

Bosco

Alex


Juma

Lomilo
Esther

Facebook


If you're on Facebook you should "like" PFP!  We post regular updates and the latest photos of the kids so it's a great way for you to stay in the loop!

Here's how:

1. Type "The Peace for Paul Foundation" into the search bar at the top of your "Home" page.
2. Under the PFP profile picture on the left you'll see "like this."  Just click and you're finished!

Thank you for your support!

Newest Members of the PFP Family

When I was in Masese I dropped my wallet.  A ten-year-old little boy named Ajuna Emma found it and returned it to me along with the 250,000 shillings ($90 USD), credit cards and IDs that it contained. I was floored when he handed it to me and I thanked him over and over again.  Emma, our Ugandan Director, told me that he had never met a boy like Emma and I hadn't either.

The next day Beth and I went into Masese to ask Emma's mom if she'd like for him to enter our program.  She was ecstatic and told me that she'd been praying for this type of opportunity for her son.  Three generous sponsors responded to my Facebook request (for sponsors) and now Emma is out of the slums and a part of the PFP family!  Thank you Mary and Carley!

-- Ellie Coleman, Co-Founder

Ajuna Emma, the first day I met him

Beth and Ellie meeting Emma's family

Ellie and Emma's friendship bracelets

"Bye bye Masese!"

Emma's first meal with the PFP Aunties and Uncle Tomasz

While in Masese our Wellness Director, Amphy Calma, saw that there was a little boy with an immediate medical need.  She took him to the doctor, fell in love with him and decided to commit to sponsoring him. Luke will live with his mom and siblings in Masese until he is old enough to go to boarding school.  Our Ugandan Director and Dr. Mufumba will make regular visits to make sure that he's happy and healthy.


Baby Luke who is now a part of the PFP family!

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY EMMA AND LUKE!
We are so happy to have you!