The Holiday months have seen Wise Choices for Life workers very busy behind the scenes in both Uganda and Australia.

The surprising growth has come through the weekly presence in the Women’s prison. In December they led a carols service in combination with the lesson titled Attitudes of Hope and Fatalism. The choices we make depend on our attitudes. Having hope encourages patience but feeling defeated leads us to settle for the first option that arises.

The prison wardens have testified that the women used to be difficult, always quarreling, argumentative and fighting among themselves, and now they are working as a team and happier.

The District Commissioner of Prisons has now  invited us to commence training in the male prison. The men’s prison has over 900 inmates, many of them very young and imprisoned due to crimes of a sexual nature against young children, teenagers and women.

Together with the work already commenced by Fred Mukisa (pictured below with Joyce) in the Youth Remand Centre amongst youth between 12 and 18 we have a full load of weekly visits. Most of these youths will not have experienced parental love and guidance, forgiveness and care in their short lives.Without any rehabilitation they will return home and most likely re-offend. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Wise Choices for Life has been taken by surprise at the opportunities in front of us and our volunteers are time poor. They cannot take more time away from paid work to meet the request. So we again ask for your help. They need small amounts of money to cover their transport and some small facilitation fee for their time. It is not a wage.

If we do not interrupt the cycle of extreme abuse with lifesaving messages about the unique and wonderful design of our bodies and God's desire for loving protective families, I see no end to the poverty cycle caused by teenage pregnancy, domestic violence and abuse against women and children.

In the meantime, the request from Uganda Christian University (UCU) develops momentum and we are planning our May training workshop for the lecturers of the foundational courses across six campuses.
 

THANK YOU

• Thank you to International Needs for their administrative support over the last three years, and in helping us to stand on our own feet. We have now gained Public Beneficiary Institute (PBI) status with the Australian Government and have tax deductibility ourselves to receive and receipt your donations directly.

• For Byron’s return to good health. He will remain as Treasurer, supported by our new volunteer bookkeeper. He has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to get us this far.

• A very grateful thank you goes to out to Jamie and Leanne Lewis who have created the structure and systems, and guided as a board Chair since June 2011. We wish you God’s blessing in your own ministry endeavours.

• Thanks to Dr Janice Smith who has agreed to fill in as Chair.

Jenga and Global Outreach, Uganda Christian University and now the correctional services are our partners with Wise Choices for Life.

We invite you to become a partner in the work without leaving home. The website has been adjusted to receive your special donations to the prison work.