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FIELD NOTES THE BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER FROM FIELDS OF LIFE www.FieldsofLife.org
AUTUMN / WINTER 2014 ISSUE 3
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
GIVE A GIFT OF LIFE! CHANGING LIVES TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES BUILDING HOPE
INTERN OPPORTUNITY FUNDRAISING WARRIORS TEAMS I AM GIRL STORY OF HOPE GO GLOBAL ... AND MORE!
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GIVE A GIFT OF LIFE THIS CHRISTMAS In a world crying out for good news let us not forget about a revolution that began in a manger over 2,000 years ago when God stepped out of the splendour and glory of heaven to be amongst us to point us towards hope, love and mercy. That is good news and worth celebrating both here and throughout Central East Africa.
INTERN OPPORTUNITY 2015 2016
As a Fields of Life Intern you will be one of the main contacts for Fields of Life within local churches and schools and you will have the opportunity to raise vital support. You will be responsible for distributing and sharing information about the work of Fields of Life and our various projects. Please contact info@fieldsoflife.org for more information.
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Welcome to our third issue of Field Notes as we approach the busy festive and winter season. This Christmas we will once again hear a new version of the iconic Band Aid song, ‘Feed the World’, which is being re-released to help combat the EBOLA crisis which has gripped West Africa in recent months. There is a line in that song written on behalf of those trapped in poverty in Africa which still resonates today - “do they know it’s Christmas time again”. It’s a good question when asked with the right motivation and intention. Do they? For the many people we seek to serve and support in Central East Africa the reality is that nothing much changes at Christmas time. There remains the back breaking daily grind and struggle for those in extreme poverty who are just simply trying to survive. Maybe this Christmas you can join with us in supporting them by visiting our online Gift shop at www.fieldsoflife.org and in some small, practical way, together we can share the true spirit of Christmas with them.
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Have a great Christmas with your family and friends from all the team at Fields of Life. In Christ,
Richard
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FUNDRAISING WARRIORS Every year, Fields of Life is overwhelmed by the generosity and commitment of our passionate supporters. Thank you to all our wonderful supporters who have given of their time, energy, resources and heart throughout the year to help alleviate the suffering of vulnerable and marginalised people.
WATER FOR LIFE In October 2010, following a trip to Uganda to witness first-hand the challenges and poverty the people of East Africa face on a daily basis, a group of local men committed to The Water for Life Challenge. The team were greatly concerned about the lack of clean drinking water and the devastating impact this was having on children and saw clean water as the catalyst for positive and meaningful change. Setting themselves a bold target of raising £200,000 to purchase a second rig to extend the work of Fields of Life and fund the first 25 wells drilled, the team reached their goal within 2 years. Following this the team, along with others who have travelled on our Fact Finding Trips, committed to fund a further £130,000 for a third drilling rig! After 18 months fundraising, the team reached their target culminating in the Big BBQ with celebrity chefs, Paul Rankin and Nick Nairn. Over the past 4 years the Water for Life Challenge and all who have supported them have raised an incredible third of a million pounds for Fields of Life’s water drilling programme! What a journey!
JOHN’S IRONMAN TRIATHLON CHALLENGE! After 30 months of an intense training schedule and completing two marathons, the Maratona Sportif cycle (twice!) and the Ironman 70.3 UK, FOL supporter John Lunn took on the Ironman Triathlon. On 27th September 2014 John started his challenge of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle and a marathon to finish, all within a 17 hour time limit. He completed this in a remarkable 12:54:19! As a result of Johns incredible resolution, dedication and passion he has raised over £14,000 which will fund the drilling of four boreholes in Northern Uganda providing clean water for more than 5,000 people!
DIGGING DEEPER! Early 2014, a group of 12 women (Digging Deeper Women’s Group) committed to organising the Clean Water 5K Race for 27th September 2014 at Toccoa Falls College, Georgia, USA to raise funds for Fields of Life’s water drilling programme. The group of dedicated ladies promised a fun day and they didn’t disappoint with the event water themed, a DJ on stage from 8.45am and even providing participants with neck / shoulder massages before the race! Thank you to the Digging Deeper Women’s Group and all who supported the event for your enthusiasm, energy and hard work in organising a great event!
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TEAMS
ms travel This year saw 14 mission tea public of Re from Northern Ireland and various Ireland to Uganda to work at from six to school sites. Teams ranged rying out twenty five team members car r the different tasks to help furthe Life. of lds development work of Fie team leaders, We thank all the volunteers, school fundraisers, church leaders, their invaluable teachers and parents for all m to Central input in sending a mission tea East Africa. of our teams... Let’s hear a story from one
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MOVILLA ABBEY CHURCH TEAM On Thursday 24th July this year, the Movilla Abbey Uganda team stood, surrounded by friends and family at the church for prayers before we embarked on a journey of faith and adventure from Newtownards to Uganda. The six of us could hardly believe that the twenty months of planning and fundraising had finally come to an end and we were ready to go. Over those months, we had been blessed by dedicated friends, family, parishioners, members of the community and beyond in holding and contributing to numerous fundraising events. Abbey Primary School supported us and raised a wonderful amount of £7,542.38. The school raised enough money to pay for a well to be drilled and a water harvesting system at Namansa Primary School. The combined amount raised by the Movilla Abbey Uganda Project was a massive £22,222.09! The team had a brief stay in Kampala, embracing Ugandan life and practising the, “Ugandan handshake,” and learnt about the culture from our Fields of Life link worker, Godfrey. We visited King’s Primary School, the craft market and worshipped at Makerere Full Gospel Church before heading to Luwero Diocese Guesthouse, from where we would be travelling to Namansa Primary School each day.
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Seeing the pupils standing in their crisp white shirts by the road side and hearing their joyful singing moved us all to tears as they led us into the school grounds with their guard of honour. We spent a fabulous week at the school and the teachers and pupils were overwhelmed to receive the gifts God had provided. Funds raised by Movilla Abbey Church had paid for the construction of a kitchen, which the team painted, text books, exercise books, hand washing basins, soap, sports equipment and 232 Bibles – one for each child to keep and bring home to share stories of faith and hope with their families. We were made aware that, although many of us await the second coming, many have never even heard about the first. The pupils cherished those Bibles and ran under the mango trees to read their favourite passages. We all found this a humbling experience and remarked on how we take so much for granted.
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Now we are home, there is time to reflect on the wonderful opportunity we had to visit and support friends in Uganda. At times, we found it difficult to witness the hardships that others endure as the result of conflict, disease and lack of basic needs, such as clean water. We met in prayer each night and thanked God for His protection and direction and looked forward to each Sunday when we Skyped the congregation at Movilla Abbey. Many thanks to all the friends and families at Movilla Abbey and Abbey Primary School as well as others who supported this worthwhile cause and helped to give our Ugandan friends hope for their future. A big, “Wee bale nnyo!” to William McCartney for leading and supporting the team and to Fields of Life for making the whole project possible. “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) g
Written by Karen Sinclair (Co-Team Leader)
Do you hunger for a renewed passion to discover God’s heart of justice and what He is doing in the world? Why not be part of a CULTIV8 Team? To read more about all our short term mission teams visit our website www.fieldsoflife.org. 5
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CHERISH A GIRL CHANGE HER WORLD Fields of Life strongly believes in the power of education to change the world. The opportunity for a quality education creates the possibility of unlocking so much potential in the children and young people in East Africa who are trapped in extreme poverty. The statistics are frightening. • 71% of girls drop out before completing Primary 7 in Uganda. • Only 1 in 5 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa make it to secondary school. • 85% do not complete secondary education.
Imagine the reality for millions of adolescent girls with no voice in Sub-Saharan Africa: • Menstruation is stigmatised with a lack of proper education and hygiene management causing girls to drop out of school; • Many regard menstruation as taboo and unclean while many girls consider it to be a disease; • Girls are often at risk of attack when walking to and from school or while collecting water; • Girls are forced to marry early and face associated dangers of childbirth, rape, abortion, sexual abuse and gender violence; • Girls become more vulnerable to extreme poverty, social exclusion and suffer from low self-esteem. Fields of Life believe these girls are entitled to dignity and a future and have the potential to be the change agents within their families, communities and nations.
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The greatest return comes from investing in girls and women. When they are educated they drive development within their families, communities and nations.
OUR OBJECTIVES
General ban Ki-Moon (UN Secretary: 2012)
• To increase access for adolescent girls to adequate sanitation facilities and hygiene products to manage their menstrual cycles in a safe and healthy environment.
By educating the girl child she will:
• To educate, build capacity and raise awareness amongst teachers, students and community members (including men and boys) on menstruation and to tackle the prevalence of gender related violence and abuse.
•Be less likely to be a victim of genital mutilation;
• To continue to provide access to clean water in communities in order to specifically reduce the incident of attack that occurs when women and young girls have to walk long distances to fetch drinking water.
•Be less likely to be a victim of gender and domestic violence;
•Be 3 times less likely to become HIV+; •Have fewer, healthier children
•Be less likely to be forced into early marriage; •Be less likely to become pregnant and have a child while still a child herself;
•Be more likely to earn a higher income.
The I AM GIRL project was launched on the weekend of 10th – 12th October 2014 in Belfast and Dublin as we celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child. On 19th December 2011 the UN (United Nations) declared 11th October as the International Day of the Girl Child to recognise girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. g Join us in our commitment to ensure girls are empowered to complete their education and to grow into strong, healthy young women and that in time their children will have the same opportunities.
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GIFTS THAT KEEP ON
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GIVING!
Why not help an African community this Christmas by purchasing a Gift of Life for your family, friends and loved ones?
HEN (£3/€4)
PENCIL CASE (£4/€5)
BIBLE (£5/€6)
MOSQUITO NET (£5/€6)
GARDEN TOOLS (£5/€6)
FRUIT TREES / VEG SEEDS
(£15/€18)
SOLAR LAMP (£15/€18)
MATTRESS 4x3ft (£21/€25)
PIG (£30/€36)
BICYCLE (£48/€58)
SEWING MACHINE (£60/€72)
MILKING GOAT (£95/€114)
Choose from one of our life changing vouchers. View all our Gifts of Life by visiting www.fieldsoflife.org
GIVE A GIFT, CHANGE A LIFE. 8
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ORDER FORM Thank you for helping others to help themselves Thank you for purchasing from our Gifts of Life catalogue, and joining us to help other to help themselves. Every gift purchased by you will go directly to a community in Central East Africa. Please write your contact details in capitals below and select your gift order overleaf. You can also purchase your gift online at www.fieldsoflife.org. Title
Miss / Mrs / Ms / Mr / Rev / Dr / other (please circle)
Name: Address: City/town: County: Postcode: Tel (home): Tel (mobile): Email: Please allow up to seven working days for your Gifts of Life card to be sent to you. For Christmas orders, please ensure that your form is with us before 16th December if you want Gift Cards sent. Cheques should be made payable to Fields of Life and forwarded to: NORTHERN IRELAND (HEAD OFFICE) FIELDS OF LIFE 25 Carn Road Craigavon, Co. Armagh N. Ireland BT63 5WG Telephone: +44 (0)28 3839 0395 Email: info@fieldsoflife.org
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND FIELDS OF LIFE Treetops Brides Glen Road Shankill, Dublin 18 Ireland Telephone: +353 1 282 7777 Email: info@fieldsoflife.org
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QUANTITY
GIFTS
TOTAL PRICE
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GIFT CARD
GROUPED GIFT CARD
NO CARD
(PLEASE TICK)
(PLEASE TICK)
(PLEASE TICK)
A Hen (£3/€4 each) A Pencil Case (£4/€5 each) A Bible (£5/€6 each) A Mosquito Net (£5/€6 each) Garden Tools (£5/€6 each) Fruit Trees / Veg seeds pack (£15/€18 each) A Solar Lamp (£15/€18 each) A Mattress 4x3 (£21/€25 each) A Pig (£30/€36 each) A Bicycle (£48/€58 each) A Sewing Machine (£60/€72 each) A Milking Goat (£95/€114 each) Total Amount £/€ Prices are accurate at time of print but subject to change due to exchange rate variation.
Group all my items on one card (please tick)
VOUCHERS
QUANTITY
£5 /€5
£15 /€15
£25 /€25
£50/€50
£/€ other
Water Textbooks Playgrounds Total Amount
GIFT AID DONATIONS I want Fields of Life to treat all donations that I have made in the past (up to 4 years), and all future donations that I make from the date of this declaration as Gift Aid donations. I am a UK taxpayer, and pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax each tax year that is at least equal to the amount of tax that Fields of Life will reclaim on my donations for that year. Charity Number UK: XR 18278. Tick
Signature(s)
Date
For ROI donations, Fields of Life can claim tax back on all donations over €250 in the calendar year.
GIFT CARDS FIELDS OF LIFE PROVIDE GIFT CARDS FOR EACH ITEM. You can choose to keep the Gift Card, or you may wish to give the card to family and/or friends. However, if you do not need cards, please state this by ticking the relevant box. You also have the option of receiving individual or grouped cards: INDIVIDUAL CARDS: You will receive individual cards for each purchase; for example, if you buy five (5) hens, you will receive five (5) cards. GROUPED CARD: This groups the items onto one card; for example, if you buy five (5) hens you will receive one card. Are you in a rush? Fields of Life now provide online Gift Cards! If you wish avail of this service please visit www.fieldsoflife.org
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STORY OF HOPE Jane Nakazibwe lives in Kawondwe village in Nakasongola district. She is 45 years old with 10 children. Life took a turn for the worst when her husband married a second wife and left her. Life was miserable. Fields of Life visited the community and carried out training with her family on how to keep livestock for generating income and how to cultivate crops to sell at the local market as opposed
to subsistence. Since this training Jane’s life has been improved. She has managed to breed from the one pig she was given, and later sold her pigs enabling her to purchase cattle. Out of the sales she has generated 1,470,000 UGX (£368/ €430) worth of income. Jane has used this money to refurbish her home for her family.
GO GLOBAL Fields of Life is always looking for new opportunities to engage with the business and the corporate community throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support of businesses, across many different sectors, who share our heart and passion in tackling issues of extreme poverty, specifically in Central East Africa, and have a desire to effect real and meaningful change within vulnerable and impoverished communities. On 23rd October 2014 Fields of Life hosted a Charity Breakfast at The MAC, kindly sponsored by Chain Reaction Cycles, which was attended by more than 80 guests from the corporate sector. We were delighted to have Fields of Life Ambassador Ian Taylor join us as our keynote speaker.
On 23rd May, 2008 Ian became the youngest Irishman to stand on the top of the world. In June 2007 Ian and a friend set out to climb four mountains on four continents in one year with Mount Everest being the final climb. Several months after being told he wasn't ‘the right material’ for Everest, he successfully made it to the summit of Mount Everest. Ian shared his compelling story of courage and resilience in conquering Everest and how he used this feat as an opportunity to raise money to build a school in rural Uganda with Fields of Life. g We would love the opportunity to explore what partnership may look like with your business and how together we might change the world for a child and ultimately their community in Central East Africa. If you would like to find out more please email richard.spratt@fieldsoflife.org.
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OUR MISSION
CONTACT US
Fields of Life is committed to sharing the Christian faith by collaborating with local communities and churches in East Africa to bring about positive change through the provision of quality education, clean water, health promotion and other community based projects.
NORTHERN IRELAND (HEAD OFFICE) FIELDS OF LIFE 25 Carn Road, Craigavon, Co. Armagh N. Ireland BT63 5WG Telephone: +44 (0)28 3839 0395 Email: info@fieldsoflife.org REPUBLIC OF IRELAND FIELDS OF LIFE Treetops, Brides Glen Road Shankill, Dublin 18, Ireland Telephone: +353 1 282 7777 Email: info@fieldsoflife.org
THANK YOU FROM YOUR SPONSORED CHILD We want to take this opportunity to thank all our child sponsor’s, children’s lives are being hugely impacted and changed for the better. Our team remains committed to assisting the poorest and most vulnerable children in East Africa and with your help you are making this possible! With Christmas just around the corner, we are organising with the teachers of the school your child attends, for all the children to receive a Christmas meal and party. We wish all our supporters a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com
Charity Number UK: XR 18278 ROI: CHY 13573
www.FIELDSofLIFE.org
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