Rev. Lumumba
Patrick -The Diocesan Secretary, officiated in the handing over of graduation kits to 40 tailoring
graduates and 25 Hairdressing graduates of Women Development Centre on 26th
August 2016. Rev. Patrick narrated the story of a man who ran to him telling
that his wife was in labour and needed money to pay the hospital bill. After
taking the women to the hospital, the labour pains disappeared and the women went
home without delivering the baby. After some weeks at home, she started
experiencing labour pains again and this time round the husband came and said “this
time it is real…she even left home without some of the important things she
needed to take to the hospital with her”.
This story
is similar to what happened with our students of 2015. They were supposed to
get their graduation kits on their graduation day which took place on 23rd
April 2016, but the items were not ready until 25th August 2016…like the
pregnant woman…our students had been waiting for the real baby to be born…they
day they would receive their graduation kits. That man and woman were happy
that the long awaited baby had finally arrive. Equally our students are happy
that they now have the equipment they need to begin using the skills they
learned as students.
Each student
was presented with a start-up kit containing either a brand new sewing machines
machine for tailoring or items for the hairdressing students to start a salon
including a mirror, two plastic chairs, shampoo, etc. We very much hope these
girls and young women will be able to start up a small business that can support
them and their children.
Some of them
could not hide their joy! Acaa Irene Acire had this to say, “Now I have hope of
supporting myself and my children, I will no longer be a beggar ….”
We at the Women’s
Development Centre extend our deepest appreciation to Rev. Elizabeth Bumpas for
working hard to raise more than 10 million shillings through selling bags made
from the Production Unit of the centre to friends and well-wishers in the USA
and other countries. We are also grateful
to another donor named Elsebeth Hojgaard and her team in Denmark for raising at
least 7.1 million shillings towards the graduation kits. Our friends in Denmark have been supporting us
since 2009. Pray with us for the 63 current students who will complete their
training in November of this year. Their
graduation will take place in April 2017. They also need the start- up kits in order
to be able to put into practice the skills they are acquiring.
The Diocesan
Secretary Rev. Patrick Lumumba, who officiated in the handing over, appealed to
the graduates to make proper use of the tools given to them and not to be lazy.
He advised the hairdressing students to use their equipment in the operation of
their business and not keep it for their personal benefit. “Do not
leave the mirror in your house for you to look at yourself and your husband…use
it for what it is meant to be used for…making money with which to support the
family, buy food and paying school fees of children.” Rev. Lumumba said.
As part of the celebration to mark 7years of Episcopal ministry of
Bishop Johnson Gakumba, today we had the fundraising marathon which
ended at the Jubilee house under construction on Queens avenue in Gulu
Town. Over 160 people participated and we give glory to God for their
generous contribution of their time, energy and resources. Many blessing
to all who participated. Tomorrow we shall have marching from Christ
Church to St.Philips Cathedral where a big celebration will take place,
including opening the New block of St.Philip Health Centre.
