REGISTRATION!!! And the benefits it gives...

Illustration ©iStockphoto.com/crisserbug

First up we have some really exciting news! Earlier this month we received a certificate of registration in Uganda, making us a registered NGO in Uganda! We are so excited as this has been a long road with so many people involved working toward this goal. Thanks to you all, and many many prayers, we have made it! This is great not only to make Kids First 'official' in Uganda, but to provide protection for the children and adults involved in Kids First. It makes meeting together in large groups safe, and allows us to provide more care for the vulnerable kids involved, as shown below in Joshua's letter...

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Harriet sitting next to the Christmas tree

Dear All,

It has been a while since I last gave an update about Harriet. I will share some information about her now.

It is a huge blessing being part of Harriet's life and seeing where God has brought her and the wonderful life He is giving her. Taking care of Harriet has not been easy, especially when we have not been registered as it has been illegal for us to make some decisions about her health or even provide some care while we are not registered. To make matters worse it is very hard to get her mother's approval for some decisions that needs a parents consent (as she is not easy to find or contact). Our registration and recognition by the Ugandan government has come like a Christmas gift to Harriet as we can now make some decisions about her care because we are protected by law.

Some time back in our first year of helping Harriet, I had taken Harriet to one of the best rehabilitation and nursing homes in Uganda for therapy and treatment. However, they denied us services because we were not registered and I was not Harriet's parent. I was so disappointed but hoped I would get Kids First registered so that Harriet could get medical services at this centre.

I thank God this has come to pass. Once I got the registration certificate, the next morning I went to this rehabilitation home to work on the process of seeing Harriet get therapy. I am so happy to let you know that Harriet has been admitted to this rehabilitation centre and she will be undergoing intensive therapy for one month.

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L-R: Stella, Patricia, Harriet, Merabu

Teacher Patricia visiting Harriet in the rehab centre

Harriet is a very loved girl in Kids First. I was overwhelmed with the support everyone gave to see her get into this rehabilitation centre. On her day of admission, apart from myself, Stella was there to represent the mothers, Merabu the director of Gaba Model School (Harriet's school), and Harriet's teacher, Patricia, was there to support Harriet as she goes through her journey of specialised therapy treatment.

In addition, I am happy to note that Harriet's health has improved a lot since she started taking her HIV treatment. She has been so cooperative in taking her medication and the doctors are happy that her health has improved. At her last visit to the hospital they reduced the medication she was getting because of the improvement.

Merabu, the Director of Gaba Model School, has been a huge blessing to Kids First but also to Harriet as she accepted to keep her in her lovely home for part of this school break, and while I was worried about how I was going to help Harriet in the hospital, she connected me to Harriet's best teacher. This teacher, Patricia, will visit her in the hospital and at the same time help her with her school work while at the hospital.

With the kid of love and care Harriet is receiving her life is changing for the better and we thank God for that.

Mukama abawe omukisa,
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Josh  ​​

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