Muhabura

Thursday, March 4th, 2010 | Uncategorized

As many of you will be aware, over the last couple of years, St Cross has had retiring collections on the 4th Sunday of each month going to a variety of charities. At recent PCC meetings discussions have taken place in relation to our charitable giving. The decision was made that, as opposed to giving a small amount to a number of charities, we would select a smaller number of charities and run a campaign for each. The campaign would involve providing more information to the congregation, including them in our prayers and worship and providing spiritual as well as financial support.

A range of charities was drawn up, both international and local, and the first charity we shall be supporting is our international selection.

Winchester Diocese is linked to the Anglican Province of Uganda, and Winchester Deanery in particular is linked to two Ugandan dioceses: North Kigezi and Muhabura, both in the far south west of the Province.

Over the coming month, our parish will be thinking of Muhabura, in particular the Potter’s Village. This was set up by The Rev’d Jenny Green to provide a home for destitute babies and young children. Currently the project cares for 30 babies (21 in Potter’s Village itself and 9 in foster homes). Prior to arriving at the project, these babies were all close to death. The charity provides these babies with a safe environment as well as love and care. As well as the babies, Potter’s Village also supports pregnant teenage girls and provides family support. The aim is to provide all the children with long term help to get them out of the cycle of poverty, and to teach them the skills they need – for example Potter’s Village aims to become as self-sufficient as possible with livestock, vegetable garden and woodland to provide firewood.

The money we raise at St Cross will go towards the centre – either the running costs (in the region of £2,800 per month) or toward one of the projects the charity hopes to undertake. These include additional facilities to enable more children to be taken in; education and play equipment; more day care service provision for children in the local community and training for staff/foster parents/local parents on child care and protection issues.

For more information on Muhabura and the Potter’s Village charity, please look out for a display in church, or contact Jill Baker who can tell you more. Please also pray for the children, The Rev’d Jenny Green and all those who work at the centre.

If you wish to donate towards this charity, the main collection will be held on Mothering Sunday, 14 March. If, however, you are unable to attend on Mothering Sunday, there will be a retiring collection at the door on the two Sundays following. Please remember when giving this money that if you are a UK taxpayer we are able to claim gift aid on donations, so please complete your details on a blue envelope.

Alison Carver
PCC Member

Tags: Muhabura