Activated Ministries

We have hit the 200 mark! We now house, educate and feed over 200 Acholi children at our Family Care Uganda School. Of course, that doesn’t mean that we have to do all the work ourselves. Our FCU students love being a part of the work and action, whether it’s fetching water from the nearby well, or spending half an hour in between classes moving bricks. These creative kids love finding fun in whatever they do. In this case, a fun game of Toss the Brick helps get all the bricks for our third brick kiln moved before the rain starts in a few days. Read more about Many Hands Make Light Work!

We have been so busy during the school holidays building before the children return. Our current project is to build 4 new dorm rooms. In the first picture above, you can see the completed foundations. Our surrounding community have been coming over asking if we would be building again this year. They are thrilled to help with any job, to raise school fees and bring income to their sparse existence. Read more about Four New Dorms and a Kitchen, Coming Right Up! | Activated Ministries

Since we normally focus on the children and progress made at the Project Gulu School, we thought to take a look behind the scenes and introduce you to the team that makes it all possible -- our Project Gulu School teaching staff. Lately, we have been able to spend some quality time with everyone on our teaching staff discussing progress and the overall program. The Project Gulu School is truly made possible thanks to each of our teacher's dedication to the job, as well as their skill and care for the children.   Read more about Meet Our Project Gulu Teaching Team | Activated Ministries

Here are a few pictures we took on one our class excursions to see the famous Samuel Baker Fort with some of the older classes. Samuel Baker fought against slavery and this fort had previously been used by Arabs to hold and even kill slaves.

In these pictures you see the kids and their teacher Douglas in Samuel Baker’s house. The bedroom is behind. The original house was made of stacked stones, on a high rock formation that gives a safe view of all the surrounding area. Read more about Class Excursion in Gulu

One thing that brings meaning to my life and makes me fight to make it happen is our yearly visit to the refugee camps in the Sahara desert. Its hard to imagine in a developed world with the latest technologies at our fingertips what life is like in the camps. Our first night upon arrival is such an emotional time, as we  meet our friends, exchange hugs and kisses, sleep under the stars, and feel the cold breeze of the desert night... And this is just the beginning. Read more about Aid to Saharaui Refugee Camps- Part 2

Life at Our Boarding School

We have some new students at our school. Some are newly arrived from the surrounding very impoverished area so will take a bit of time to get uniforms, but in the meantime, we’re working on form and organization, teaching the students to line up. We’ll tighten up our lines but … it’s a start in our wonderful new local! We’ll get a flag and pole as soon as we’ve saved up. Read more about Glimpses of Life at the FCU Boarding School | Activated Ministries

Earlier in 2012, we visited the temporary housing areas in Miyako-shi Tarou-machi, which had been constructed in the wake of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and we were shocked at the amount of people still living in temporary housing units in this large area. As the Christmas season approached, I knew we needed to visit that area again. Due to its location in the northern part of Tohoku, volunteers visiting that area are rare. Read more about Activated Ministries sponsors Ongoing Programs for Tsunami Survivors

They say music is medicine for the soul. But when kids sing and move with motions to the music it also moves the hearts and souls of most anyone. And that was our target, souls and hearts that need care. Over 5 social centers and psychiatric hospitals and old folk’s homes were visited by our “family show” musically bringing cheer, motivation and joy to the patients at the centers. Read more about Music Therapy Program

“This calendar has been my only inspiration since the day I arrived here” commented a mother whose name and picture can’t be mentioned due to the fact that she along with her children are in hiding from abusive family members. “I am so happy to now have one of my own!” This feedback was one of many that made our efforts worth it, a sign that no matter how big a project, even a little motivational gift can be significant. Read more about Mothers in Crisis Protected by Saints

More than 8 schools so far have been targeted by “Mr. Clown professor”, who entertains kids in Bangalore, India, and brings in valuable lessons to the classroom. Most of the kids who attend come from slums and families in crisis who have a hard time not only attending, but giving attention to the problems they face. Read more about Mr. Clown Professor lands in Bangalore, India