Kaluko Resper is studying hard and looking forward to Christmas....

I am Kaluko Resper, a second year student at Busoga University. Pursuing a bachelors’ degree in social work and social administration. I  frequently use the services of UDS, as I did a computer training course with them. Now I’m using their library for my revision as I prepare for exams.

I’m praying hard that the exams will soon be over, so I can start preparing for Christmas Day, which will be observed by everyone in our community, as well as across the country.

Christmas being a holiday when we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, we prepare for it in many different ways. For example, we buy new clothes that are different from everyday ones, so when the big day comes we are dressed up. We also put some money aside to buy meat (not a regular foodstuff for most Ugandans), maybe as much as 10 kilograms, soft drinks, different types of alcohol, and juice for the big day. It’s really fantastic because it’s only on that day that we can enjoy these types of food and drink.

In our community, as Christmas approaches everyone starts brushing their teeth every day with the aim of making them sharp for the day itself. By the time we get to Christmas Eve we don’t even sleep, we keep busy preparing different dishes so that on Christmas morning we can go to church. Afterwards we all sit round with our family and have a meal.

So this comes with loving thoughts to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year – heartfelt greetings filled with affection. May the joy and happiness of Christmas fill your heart with lasting gaiety and tranquillity,  and each new day in your life shine with hope and joy.

Merry Christmas..

WOW! What a Day.......

Well Done Helen on completing the London Parks Marathon........

In her own words.........

Wow, what a day!  When i left home I had thought I would be walking over the finishing line as I hadn’t had a lot of time to train recently.  But it was a beautiful day in London, a great temperature to run in (not too hot, not not too cold) and no rain. There were +11 thousand runners in all.. that’s a lot of runners!  It was really exciting at the start and there was so much energy as everyone got ready to set off ..it was also very humbling to see how many people were running to raise money for so many great charities… I was thrilled to be running for UDS.

http://royalparkshalf.com/

It’s called the London Parks Marathon as the route takes you around Green Park, Hyde Park and St James’ Park, a really pretty route with loads of supporters lining the route shouting encouragement.  It also includes running past Buckingham Palace and around Trafalgar Square, good fun as it’s not every day you get to stop the London traffic and do that!

Needless to say I was delighted as I managed to run the full 21km (on my recent training that was quite an achievement) .  I loved it and love running for UDS -  a huge thank you to those who have sponsored me… it meant a lot to me and I know your money together with Microsoft’s matching will go a long way to help the people in Uganda who UDS touch.

Thanks

Helen

Helen's Just Giving page is still available for anyone who would still like to support her. http://www.justgiving.com/runlondonUDS

If  Helens challenge excites you and you think it would be something that you would like to do.

Take a look at this link http://www.halfmarathonlist.co.uk/london-half-marathon.php and think about Running the London Half Marathon for UDS in 2012. If you apply please let us know as we would love to follow you and your training program.

What Helen, one of our Trustees has to say.......In her own words........

I am taking part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon in support of UDS (Uganda Development Services). Complete madness but it is such a good cause!

UDS is a really great charity that helps families in rural Uganda who are in severe poverty through the provision of water tanks, smokeless ovens inside home, farming support, IT and literacy support too… all great stuff!:)

 

I've recently started training; to make the most of the effort it takes, please help in making a difference to the people of Uganda

No amount is too small...equally there is no obligation. £5 could provide a school text books,£25 could train a farmer with skills to bring his earnings above a dollar a day or £250 could build a water storage tank for rainwater collection for a family.

If you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 25% in tax will be added to your gift to UDS, at no cost to you. every £, Euro, $ or SA Rand you donate will be matched through Microsoft's generosity.... £1 becomes £2.00.

Thank you for your support!

Helen

An exciting day is coming.......

We are very pleased and excited at Uganda Development Services, as our founder, Dr John Maitland, will be interviewed and will preach at the 10.00 am service at St John’s Ealing, on Sunday 16th October. 

He will be sharing with us some of his experiences and the challenges he has faced over the past twenty years with his involvement in Uganda. There will also be a small UDS exhibition at the church.

A Little History..............

After several years working in rural Uganda with C.M.S. as a medical superintendant in Ngora hospital, Dr. John Maitland and his wife Hilary founded Uganda Development Services (UDS) with the aim of helping the poorest uplift themselves, by providing appropriate and relevant information.

After extensive research, Kamuli was chosen as a focus area for the initial project because of its high levels of poverty. The beneficiaries of our work are individuals and families who need information to help them progress in their education, or their work. The range of our work now extends to the farming communities, and the disabled.

It has the constant theme that through Sharing Knowledge, we can help people Build Lives.

 

Find out more - http://www.ugandadev.org.uk/about/history/

We would love it, if you were able to join us, and hear about all the various programmes that we are running which are sharing knowledge and building lives in rural Uganda.

 www.stjohnsealing.org.uk gives full details of their location.

If you are not familiar with St. John's - they are located at the Northfields Avenue end of Mattock Lane in Ealing. Visit their website