I was part of a small team that went to Uganda August 17

The journey wasn’t without some hiccups; the plane was delayed at Birmingham airport for over an1 hour and we just caught the connecting flight to Uganda. On route we were informed that our cases had been left behind in Dubai and we would receive them the next day and we wasted about an hour or so having to go through form filling etc that was required.

After a day’s rest we went into we went into one of the local schools where we where given a very warm welcome by the staff and the pupils who were very pleased to see us.

Despite the lack of facilities the children had a desire to learn. We experienced the same welcome in all the schools that we visited. The children entered whole heartily into the colouring and making crowns and other items. Some of the sessions required them to be working together as a team, which was challenging for some who got too excited and just dashed ahead. One of the games, which we played, was blind man’s buff and it was a real hoot for the children, especially when the head and their class teacher were blindfolded, they were jumping and cheering.

On Sunday we visited one of the local churches and had a warm reception, the praise and worship was excellent, but sadly I don’t have the rhythm the Ugandans do.

Though we were a small team everybody worked really hard to make an impact on the lives of the people we came in contact with.

The roads and the driving was an experience in its self but not for those with a nervous disposition.

One thing, which struck me, was how stern people looked but just by saying hello their faces would light up and big grins would appear, We found people to be very friendly and welcoming.

We went on safari to Murchison Falls, which was a really good experience, viewing the animals and boating on the Nile, seeing hippos and crocodiles close up (not to close).

It was an eye opener to see how hard people needed to work to support their families and make ends meet.

If you want an experience and challenge I recommend going to Uganda. It won’t be easy but it will be well worth it.

Phil Meadows

Equipe has been bringing help to the needy for several years and many changes have happened over that time.
We are not a disaster fund which makes desperate appeals on the back of some catastrophic incident sending a portion of your gift to the scene while keeping some back for processing and administration, we are on the ground long term affecting communities.
Equipe has been providing feeding programs in East African schools so that the children get at least one nutritious meal per day. These programs have historically been funded through church groups but of late this support has diminished through changing circumstances

Our program has been providing one meal to over 800 children per day but we find ourselves unable to continue due to depletion of funds. In recent times we have encouraged our partners to look at self supporting systems to supplement or even replace these programs, some progress has been made but there is still a shortfall.
Equipe currently sends out £1300 per term, that’s £325 a month, just over £11 per day to help provide a meal for 800 children.
The math is staggering, that’s less than 1.5p per child per day.

Of the 800 children we feed, less than 100 are receiving any form of child sponsorship.

We operate and achieve all that we do with only 5 part time volunteers and so are appealing for your assistance.
We need your help to enable us to continue this vital work, through donations (no matter how small), through you organising a fund raising event such as car boot or garage sale, coffee morning, cake sale etc. etc.

Please contact us if you can help.

Click the link below to view our latest news

Newsletter Jan 17

Latest update from Uganda Oct 2016

We have had a busy time at Maranatha Gateway planting various trees over these last few months.  500 eucalyptus seedlings were planted in May.  Their trunks grow quickly, tall and straight and are mostly used for the building trade.

The eucalyptus trees keep on growing – most are well over 6 feet tall.  The pine trees planted in early October need much more care and some are struggling to keep growing straight!!  We have had more fruit trees planted – mango, banana and next week we will add passion and paw paw.

We have also had quite a lot of tree surgery done – dangerous overhanging branches, Large palm trees blocking out the light and some smaller jobs.

The grass on the recreation area is beginning to grow well and has even had its first slashing!! (ie cutting!!)

We had a successful carpentry course at the end of September and a team from US came for  few days at beginning of October to work with Pastor Fred’s church.  They stayed at one of the beach resorts and John ferried them back and forth to various meetings, hospital visit (to pray for the patients) etc… They also visited the local prison and 6 of the inmates received Jesus  and want to be baptised. 2 patients from the hospital got healed and baptised as did 2 of the waitresses at the hotel.  A great time.

The following weekend we went to Kampala with the truck.  On the way we took some equipment to Pastor Margaret’s prostitute project in Namulanda.  Sewing machines and various accessories and material to help train the ladies in a money earning skill. This equipment came as part of our shipment from Tools with a Mission – we also had equipment for carpentry, brick laying and ground working tools.  It has been such a blessing.

We were also meeting up with someone who was going to help us achieve the renewal of our NGO.  I had been getting some paperwork together and I wanted to see how we were doing.  Well actually pretty well is the answer!!! In fact today (27th) I have just completed all the paperwork, got all the relevant signatures and photocopied all the pages to make 6 copies, put in files all ready to go to the various departments.  Monday I shall be back in Kampala to give the file for the NGO board and hope that everything will be ok for our renewal in November.  Praise God.