Location: Northern Uganda in the Gulu District
Ministry: Child Voice
(although they are ministering to us more than we are)
This month is all about building relationships and loving on the women and their babies here at the compound.
These women are here because they were left with no place to go and not knowing how to care for themselves after being affected by war and the horrible situations that came from it including rape, abusive marriages and even used as sex slaves.
The women’s ages range from 14-20 years. Many of them became orphans themselves, trying to care for a newborn baby that was a result from their traumatic pasts. There are about 35 women on the compound and 33 children. The children range anywhere from 6 months to 24 months old. One woman has a child that is 5 years old. Seeing all of these women with their babies is a sight that I will always remember.
Here at the compound they focus on restoration, helping these young women learn to do all different trades, get counseling and help them learn to love themselves and their babies.
Days here on the compound are very scheduled out. It almost reminds me of camp. There is a bell that rings every time it is time to rotate to something different. Each day these women wake up and they usually have class. All the women drop their child off at daycare that is on the compound and walk to their class. The different classes or trades they can learn are bakery/catering, sweater weaving, hair weaving, agriculture, business, mechanics, welding, and driving class. All of this is taught to these women so they can in turn learn to provide for themselves and their child. The beauty of this organization is mind blowing.
Each woman that comes to Child Voice is given a hut to live in, a choice of two classes to attend and learn, a small plot of land to plant crops on for a chance at income, counseling, and daily worship and bible lessons. These women live on the compound about 20-24 months. During this time they are taught not only the different trades but they are also taught how to care for their child.
The heart of this ministry is sooooo good!! I cannot get over the sustainability of this compound and ministry. The Lord is truly doing some amazing things here.
There have been several favorite memories already, but one of my favorite things about this place is the daily evening worship and prayer meeting. We get to see and experience these women without their uniform on and in their raw form. We sing, we dance, we pray. But the way that these women do all 3 of these areas is inspiring. The way they pray is truly an encouragement in my own walk.
Everyday, my team and I, get the opportunity to walk alongside these beautiful women. We have the opportunity to cook with them, make sweaters, help work in their plot of land, worship with them, or just sit with them and their babies. It is such a peaceful place and a time of just embracing the ways of life here in Uganda.
