May 19, 2005

Susan sent several more pictures of the orphanages in Uganda and Sudan - Check em out!

Uganda is being accused of manipulating upcoming elections, which has force many countries to reconsider their aid packages.

May 6, 2005
Susan has received the recent money given, and thanks everyone who has helped out! We are working together at the moment to purchase a digital camera and find a journalist who can be a full time reporter for the needs there.

Ryan Connole has taken the bus from Entebbe to Adjumani, and should have arrived early today. Jo French and Leah will fly into Entebbe on Sunday.

Northern Uganda continues to experience the pain of the LRA. The rebels attacked at least 20 people yesterday, killing them with their garden tools.

May 4, 2005
Southern Sudanese are encouraging Kenyans to invest in the South. There are plans by major airlines to begin flying into the Southern Sudanese capital of Rumbek.

Uganda is watching nervously as the President there tries to grab power for a third term in office.

April 27, 2005
Susan has asked me to let people know about some urgent financial needs. They are just about to start planting as the rainy season has come upon the region. Both orphanages need $700 to purchase planting supplies. If you'd like to help, please email me. Also, they are looking to buy a computer and printer, and have raised $100 of $800 needed.

April 25, 2005

There are some new drawings and stories in the Kid's Corner section!

My friend Ryan Connole from Imago Dei Community is flying over to Adjumani in the next couple of days. He will be staying with the Theisen's who are living and working in Adjumani.

April 18, 2005
The orphanage staff, Ezbon and Susan, have both returned from some work in Kajo Keji Sudan.

April 11, 2005
Donor nations have pledged $1 billion to help Southern Sudan with the rebuilding process.

In Uganda the LRA has been active again near Gulu, with some recent abductions.

April 4, 2005
A delegation of 100 Southern Sudanese have arrived in the capital of Sudan, Khartoum, to begin negotiations on the new constitution. BBC

March 25, 2005
The United Nations unanimously voted to send 10,000 peacekeepers to Southern Sudan. BBC

January 28, 2005
Susan just returned from Kajokeji, Sudan - and Adjumani, Uganda, and says the children are doing fine. They distributed the recent money to the orphanages, and some of the money was combined with other gifts to purchased this reconditioned lorry!

January 10, 2005
"Half my life has been spent in exile. I hope my children don't have to be refugees like I was. I pray that this fighting is over forever and that we can finally live in peace." - Grace Datiro, Southern Sudanese Exile

Sudan finally has signed a comprehensive peace agreement! The agreement was signed on Sunday in Kenya. Often the Southern Sudanese are wary of these peace talks and wonder if they could be a trap. We'll wait to see and hear from the Amazing Grace staff on their response to the deal...

December 30, 2004
“The year of 2005 must be a year of total peace.” Sam Kolo of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda recently attended a peace conference which has promise of bringing peace to the millions living in the region.

December 27, 2004
Thanks to everyone who assisted this winter with the Christmas Eve project! I just got a letter from Susan with brand new pictures.

November 4, 2004
Susan sent me the most recent financial report from the past 3 months.(Report PDF 1.7 MB). Current needs are as follows:
* Expansion of agricultural work
* Medicines for the orphanage center
* Transport Vehicle (small lorry or truck)
* Increase the staff salaries

September 19, 2004
Uganda kills 25 members of the LRA, and captures 7 more. BBC

September 19, 2004
The United Nations is calling for sanctions against Sudan if the situation doesn't improve. BBC

September 14, 2004
Here is an update from Susan:
"Mr. Ezbon Wudu is here. He reported that St. Bartholomew's Orphanage is lacking food badly and there is no money. Children in both Orphanages still suffer from malaria and flu. Medicines are needed."

If you'd like to send some money to help out with their current crisis, let me know.

A documentary called "The Lost Boys of Sudan" is coming to Portland next week. You can view the trailer here. If it's not in your area, or if you'd like to save the money, it will be on PBS on September 28th.

September 10, 2004
There have been three months of relative calm in Northern Uganda. 40,000 villagers from the region are returning to their homes. BBC

September 7, 2004
Stephen Alvarez has some great photography of the Orphanage and the region.

September 5, 2004
The latest trip pictures have been uploaded in the gallery.

August 16, 2004
Susan has just arrived back from Kajo Keji Sudan. Very exciting news!

The new orphanage in Sudan now has 20 children living there. The money that was raised for the orphanage and the items purchased have been noted in a financial report. (Report PDF 2.2 MB).

The new orphanage also has begun teaching classes to the children - as there are no schools in the area.

The children at the Amazing Grace Centre in Adjumani are doing well, and have received a couple of letters from Camp Eagle youth from the summer program there.