Supporting African International Christian Ministry in ...

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To make a donation to the work of AICM, please complete this

form and send it with your name, address and cheque to:

The Treasurer, Friends of AICM, Canon John Tapper,

Mill Cottage, Mill Lane, Sissinghurst, Kent, TN17 2HX.

I enclose a cheque for £..................

For general funds/specific purpose (specify)…………….....................

I am a UK taxpayer and under the Gift Aid scheme, I would like AICM

to claim back tax on all donations until further notice.

Signed Date

Membership, Newsletter and Sponsorship;

Mike & Gill Henderson 01480 466101,

or [email protected]

General enquiries: [email protected]

A Little Story

Brenda and Tom Broderick first went out to Kabale in 1998,

being inspired by Bishop Enoch. Talking to them recently, I was

amazed and intrigued to see Brenda had kept a detailed diary of each

day they were there for six months. It is full of them building,

repairing, sewing and washing, meeting and helping, and thoroughly

enjoying the experience of getting involved with the vocational

training college, their staff, and the outlying Batwa communities. They

shared their joys and sorrows, the ups and downs of life in this very

poor part of Uganda, all problems and possibilities; well life itself!

After six months, when they returned to Folkestone, they really missed

their AICM experience, but have kept in touch ever since by

sponsoring orphans and students there - and in my own parish here,

others who sponsor Ugandan youngsters speak of how Tom and

Brenda inspired them on hearing by word of mouth their experience,

their love for so many underpriveleged folk, and the practical ways

they were able to help. Could this be you in the future? There are

many opportunities to show our Christian help and concern - and

Tom and Brenda Broderick from Holy Trinity Church,

Folkestone have shown this in abundance. Do be in touch!

(Revd) Roger Smith

Supporting African International Christian Ministry in south-west Uganda www.aicm.org.uk

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March 2012

Friends of AICMFriends of AICMFriends of AICMFriends of AICMNewsletterNewsletterNewsletterNewsletter

A Saw, some Woolly Hats and Two Teddies

Question: Where and when would you find all the above?

Answer: In January 2012 at Murambo AICM Batwa Centre.

(A report from Colin and Sue Townsend)

On a fine sunny day in January we set out with Wilberforce, projects

coordinator for AICM, and Johnson, carpentry technician from the

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AICM VTC, on the journey to Murambo which

is in a stunning location just above the shores of

Lake Bunyonyi. After a lengthy and quite trying

journey with plenty of “African massage”, we

reached our destination and found our Batwa

friends beginning to congregate in the EU built

community shelter. We were immediately

touched by the welcome given to Wilberforce by one woman who came and

hugged him. He is

obviously known and

loved. The men and their

women folk soon gathered

along with many children

and introductions were

made. They were

expecting us and were so

pleased to welcome us. We were impressed by the overall feeling of

“togetherness” amongst the community and

of a willingness to help and be helped.

Knowing of a particular need, we had

brought gifts of a hand plane, a saw and a

sharpening stone. We had also brought with

us Johnson, the technician from the VTC,

because we knew that the menfolk had requested the means with which

to make their own coffins for burial of their dead. Colin, also a

carpenter, took much pleasure in presenting these gifts and he and

Johnson were enthusiastically watched as they instructed on the use of

the tools. All the men wanted a go, and we were satisfied they would be

able to use them. AICM will send Johnson

again to give further instruction and so

they will be able to make the coffins and

also some rudimentary furniture.

Wilberforce had also taken with him a

football, which was received with much

enthusiasm, and we showed them how to

use the pump to inflate it.

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Annual General Meeting

Friends of AICM Trustees are spending a weekend together at Stanton

House, near Oxford, from 27th to 29th April. On Saturday afternoon,

28th April, from 2-30 pm, we will hold our AGM, followed by a

session of updates/reports/photos from two recent visits. We would

welcome all friends who would like to join us for this occasion.

Please notify the secretary by email or phone and she will give further

details.

[email protected] or 01993 703463.

Stop Press 1

The VTC has a new Principal. He is Mr. Ssevvume Stanley from

Masaka, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Physics and

Mathematics) plus a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, all from

Makerere University. Aged 38 years and married with 2 children,

Stanley is an Anglican and a committed Christian.

There will be more on Stanley in the next newsletter.

Stop Press 2

The long awaited container of books for the VTC library, shipped

for us by “Tools With a Mission” (TWAM), has arrived in Kampala,

and has been collected and is now at AICM, Kabale. The staff,

especially Unity, the librarian, are so pleased. It contains a variety of

books, many donated by Witney and Abingdon College. Also included

are primary school books and stationery from St. Nicholas School in

Marston, Oxford, plus a variety of other books collected by folk in

Witney. We give thanks to God for its safe arrival.

Stop Press 3

Juliet Rukashazya is the Sponsorship

Coordinator at AICM. The daughter of a

pastor, she is married to Jack who works for

the National Bank in Kabale. He is very

supportive of her work with the orphans,

sometimes driving her out to the villages to

visit them. We are happy to report that some

months ago, they were blessed with their first child, a son, Ethan.

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crossing a swamp along a grassy track one could barely see.

We soon began climbing a rocky outcrop and at one point our vehicle

ended up at the foot of a steep rocky slope. We actually got out to see if

there was anything on the other side! There was, but the vehicle then

protested and only restarted after perseverance and prayer. We began to

wonder if we would ever arrive, and then whether we`d ever get back

again! Reassuringly Juliet and baby did not seem unduly worried. We

eventually arrived at Shallon`s little hillside settlement. It was such a

beautiful spot, but so isolated and desperately poor. Family and friends

knew we were coming and came to greet us. The machine was

triumphantly carried to the tiny two roomed homestead and all crowded

in. Shallon led us to her mother who wanted to greet us, but is

desperately sick and was lying semi paralysed on a mattress . Her five

siblings were all present, all currently at primary school, and with no

chance of any further education unless someone helps them. Shallon

bears complete responsibility for her mum and all siblings. We accepted

their welcoming drink of sorgum porridge and then had to take our leave.

although our worries about the return journey were groundless. Shallon

accompanied us back to the main road as she knew a better route, which

whilst still difficult, was more straightforward. Once she had left us at

the main road she then faced the journey back again, and was hopefully

waiting for a truck, but otherwise was quite prepared to walk, as she had

done that morning - a two hour walk.

Shallon gives thanks to God for the training

AICM has given her and for the generosity of

her friends and sponsors. We continue to pray

for her as she faces an uphill struggle. It was

an amazing privilege to have been with her.

AICM ministers to so many others like her.

Experiences like this make us realise what a

vital ministry they, and we as Friends, have.

Coordinator, plus Ethan, her baby boy, set off in

the pick up. The main road to Muko, where many

sponsored secondary students are at school, was

straight forward and we turned off as directed, but

then the adventure began. It soon became worse

than even the normal African murram tracks

complete with potholes, when we found ourselves

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We had also brought with

us some of the woolly hats,

vests and knitted teddies

that various friends from

Women’s Institute and

family had knitted. We left

some with Wilberforce at

AICM to take to other Batwa communities. These were

rapturously received, and little children immediately

dressed in assorted hats and vests. The teddies too were

much wanted. We’ll have to take more another time!

Finally we also had with us a crop sprayer which was

one of our Alternative Gifts recently purchased.

Wilberforce knew that the ladies needed one with

which to spray and protect their crops and so we

presented this to them. They couldn’t wait to unpack it

and we are sure it will be much used.

We were greeted in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ

and before we left, we again closed in prayer. These folk

know that the gifts and support given is a token of the love

we have for them in Jesus, and that He alone has the power

to transform their lives. We were encouraged to learn that

several Batwa are asking for baptism, and we left funds to

cover baptism fees which we pray will make this possible

soon.

As we left after the usual Batwa singing and dancing, we felt privileged

to have been with them as representatives of the Friends of AICM.

What we gave was very little ,

but it showed that a little can

mean so much.

FAICM have a Batwa primary

education fund which supports

the two primary schools at

Rwamahano and Muribindi.

Rwamahano currently needs

repairs to class rooms, the

teacher’s house and a new

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classroom as numbers far exceed space. The fund also supplements

extension workers’ and teachers’ salaries which are very basic. Some of

the gifts given through the Alternative Gifts Scheme also support the

Batwa.

Death of Titus, last born son of Enoch and Phoebe

Colin and Sue Townsend, two FAICM trustees, were travelling for a

planned visit to Kabale, when they received news of the death of Titus.

They have provided this brief report.

It was by God’s grace that we were able to attend the burial of Titus,

last born son of Bishop Enoch and Phoebe Kayeyee. Titus was 25 and

a promising second year medical student and met his death in early

January in suspicious circumstances. We were able to assure the whole

family of the love and prayerful support of their many friends in the

UK. At the service in All Saints Church, at the burial in Enoch’s home

village, and at many other gatherings during the following days, huge

numbers of family and friends showed the love and respect that so

many in the community have for the Kayeyee family.

The strong testimony of the family to all around them of their Christian

hope is best summarized by the words of Timothy, the second son, and

executive director of AICM, in an appreciation sent to friends:-

Enoch and Phoebe The Kayeyee Children

The Burial Titus

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“Whilst the Uganda police are still in the process of investigating the

circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Titus, and some arrests

have so far been made in connection, as a family, we continue to put

our entire trust in the Lord Jesus Christ since He is all-knowing. We are

also comforted by the fact that Titus was a Christian and is now with

the Lord and the Saints who have gone before us. Therefore, nothing

shall separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our

Lord and Saviour. (Romans 8:38.)

We request for your continued prayers, for God's healing and comfort,

for the entire family and for Bishop Enoch and Phoebe Kayeyee .

We have assured the family that we will continue to hold them in our

prayers.

Shallon’s Sewing Machine

On a recent visit to AICM two trustees were

only too pleased to carry out a task on behalf

of a student sponsor. Shallon, the young lady

student in question, had just completed a

diploma in tailoring at the VTC. To help her

on to the next step of being able to work as a

dress maker, her sponsors wished to buy her a

sewing machine. Thanks to the help of Loy,

the dress making and tailoring tutor at the

VTC, a suitable reconditioned treadle machine in excellent order was

purchased, and Shallon came to the VTC to receive it. This is an

account of what happened next.

Shallon could not believe what she was seeing. It was not just the

machine. The gift of threads and a variety

of sewing aids completely overwhelmed

her. You could not imagine a smile as big

as the one on her face—and yet there were

tears also—of joy. We then found

ourselves wondering how Shallon was to

travel back to her village with her gift and

rashly offered to drive her there. The party

became five as Juliet, AICM Sponsorship