A Word of Thanks!

Giving Thanks...

I hope you had memorable Thanksgiving & Christmas weekends with your family and friends.  It is a special time of year to pause for a moment and give thanks for the many ways we have been blessed in the past year.  You have shared those blessings with the women and children of Rakai, Uganda.  On behalf of African Children Today, thank you for that love and support!

A team of 10 hearty souls traveled to Rakai this fall, where we had an opportunity to visit the children sponsored through ACT.  We also were able to see all of the projects that are providing a sustainable income to so many women.

• Amazing Grace Bakery employs 25 people, supports many more by providing bread at a wholesale price so women can sell it in their shops, and produces 1500 loaves of bread every day.
• Welding and Carpentry Shops are busily providing for local construction needs and job training.
• Hope Again Women’s Ministry - 150 devoted women producing jewelry and baskets providing sustainable income.
• Construction site of the new school which will provide 1500 children a quality education and training to become the Christian leaders of tomorrow. 

It is such an uplifting experience to see the smiles on the faces of the women and children, and understand first-hand how the entire community is benefiting from your love and support.

As I look back over the 20 years I have been involved in Rakai, one child exemplifies the change you can make through your support more than any other.  Emmanuel was a 2 1/2 year old boy who could not stand due to severe malnutrition and neglect and was close to death.  Two years later he is an energetic boy who loves school and has a beautiful smile.  This is the kind of difference you are making.  You are saving lives.

Wishing you a blessed New Year!

Ann Hill

P.S. If you'd like some ideas about year-end giving, see below

As you consider year-end giving, please consider a gift for a child in Rakai - either your sponsored child or a child in need.  A gift that “keeps on giving” will be greatly appreciated.  For $20 you can give a pair of chickens, or $40 will purchase a pig - ways to provide family income for years to come.  When you make a donation to your sponsored child, the staff will visit the family to determine what is most needed and will make sure your child receives a special gift.

Perhaps you would like to make a donation toward the construction of the new school - every gift is needed to realize our dream of opening the school next year.   Give a gift to friends and family by making an ACT donation in their honor - we will send them a card acknowledging the gift.  (If you choose to do this, please send an email to ann@africanchildrentoday.org with the name and address of the person or indicate you would like to receive the card!)