Ugandans Adopt

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adoption open day Video

CHRISTIAN CHILDCARE CONFERENCE HELD IN KAMPALA.

On Thursday 19th February, Church leaders and faith based Child Care Institutions were hosted to a one day Christian Childcare Conference at Gaba Community with the theme: “Take this child and nurse him for me”.

The Conference, drew a cross section of church leaders, Directors and Staff from different Churches and Child Care institutions across Kampala and Jinja. The conference was organised by the church as a platform for the Government to talk about the developments in childcare especially in terms of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children(OVC) situation, legal framework and Alternative Care Framework and the operational plan to mobilize the Framework. It also a forum for the churches and faith based organisations to give their views on the Alternative Care framework.

Stella Ogwang Principal Probation Officer at Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in her presentation urged the participants to focus on family based solutions for children based in institutions and orphanages . Other key note speakers included Jack Matsiko  former Director of Compassion Uganda, Gad Mfitundinda a Police representative who discussed on Child protection and trafficking and the Host Pastor Peter Kasirivu of Gab Community Chuch. The conference also included a panel session with the members sharing personal experiences of success stories and challenges in adoption, running homes and from a donor perspective.

The Panel in session
The Panel Session from Left to Right: Immaculate Atwine (Home Manager, Malaika Babies Home), Josh Caldwell (with microphone, Linelife Ministries USA, Donor representative and International Adopteer), Sarah Kigozi (Head Child Welfare, Watoto), Pastor Mark Kigozi ( Domestic adopter ) and Fred (Moderator, Uganda Christian University )

“We have the heart, we have the people. It is our job, so then what do we need to do? We have the largest network on the earth. “ said Host, Pastor Peter Kasirivu speaking about the Church’s ability to in offer community based solutions as regards to childcare in his closing speech.

The Conference was organized by Gaba Community Church, Africa Renewal Ministries, CARNACC, Child’s i Foundation and Lifeline Ministries. The Conference is planned to become an annual event.

In the video below,  Pastor Peter talks about the  importance of family from the Church’s perspective:

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adoption open day Video

VIDEO: BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE UGANDANS ADOPT CAMPAIGN

We bring the very first behind-the-scenes video of the Ugandans Adopt campaign through the eyes of our  Communications Officer. For the  first time since the campaign began in 2011,  we are giving our supporters an exclusive  to see first hand the effort that goes into making this  incredible campaign.

 

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adoption open day

Thank you for helping us make families

A billboard advert from our first media campaign

At a recent team meeting we were discussing the incredible progress we’ve made since we began Ugandans Adopt three years ago. We had a vision for all Ugandan children to grow up in loving homes, with a family to belong to. We believed we could make families, not orphans.

Turns out, you believed us too. Not only did you believe us, you helped us. Since we started our campaign, we have been able to place over 130 children in loving Ugandan families – and we couldn’t have done this without you.

This post is just a little something we wanted to do to say thank you and to recognize the contribution you have made. Ugandans Adopt has become a passionate community, united by our vision and bound by its commitment to our children’s safety, health and happiness.

 

 

A happy family

Because of you, we have found families for children who would otherwise have nowhere to call home. Because of your love and support we have been able to grow – and we’re still growing. You have helped prove beyond doubt that there are Ugandan families and individuals willing to open their hearts and homes through adoption and fostering.

Whether you’re an adoptive or foster parent, a friend, a supporter or if you’re just following our journey on Facebook and Twitter, we wanted to say thank you. This isn’t just our success – it’s yours. And with your help, there’s no stopping us.

We are excited about embarking on the next steps of our journey together with you. Your support is going to become even more vital as we continue to grow but we believe we can do this together. Please continue to help us spread the adoption gospel by telling your friends and family about what we’re doing, sharing our vision, or simply just inviting them to join us on Facebook and Twitter so they can see for themselves.

If you’d like to know more about how you can help, or would like to become a Ugandans Adopt Ambassador, please contact Aidah on aidah@childsifoundation.org.

Thank you.

Our final message
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adoption open day

Rainbow International School Fundraises for Malaika Babies Home

We’re receiving more and more support from local organizations, churches and schools who have seen the Ugandans Adopt campaign across the country and have been inspired by our message.

Aidah, the Ugandans Adopt Communications Officer in Uganda, was delighted recently when the Brownie Guide pack at Rainbow International School chose to support Malaika Babies Home.

“When we received the email from Rainbow international School we did not know how to react. There have been lots of schools visit Malaika Babies’ Home to learn more about the care centre and what makes it different. We’re lucky our schools often bring donations for our children, such a baby wipes and all the things we need day-to-day, which is very generous. But this email was different. Not only did they want to learn more about our center but they also wanted to fund raise. I was absolutely not only because we had been chosen but because this amazing group of young women gave me a glimpse of what the future holds.

Brownies visiting

The Brownies had organized different activities to raise money, including two car washes, a disco and a car boot sale. We were invited along to the car boot sale as it was their final event so Robert, our Executive Director, Victoria, one of our social workers, and I all went along to see how they were getting on (and to see if there were any bargains, too!) We were warmly received by everyone and they couldn’t wait to tell us about everything they had been doing to support us.

I could not help tearing up as the Brownie Rep proudly handed over the generous amount they had raised for children of their age (UGX 1,030,000). A week later they came and visited Malaika Babies’ Home and, despite all their hard work fundraising, they still brought along lots of gifts for the children as well.It was a joy to spend some time with this amazing group of girls; they were so inquisitive and asked so many questions.

Learning about Malaika Babies' Home

They were able to spend time

playing and bonding with the babies and we all felt the time to leave came too soon – there were even some tear as they waved goodbye!We’re very pleased to tell you that we’ll be seeing them again soon as they have decided to fund raise for Malaika Babies Home every year. Thank you so much to the Brownies at Rainbow International School the very deserving supporters of the month!”

For more photos of the visit go to : Rainbow International Brownie Guide pack visits Malaika Babies Home

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adoption open day

CEO Lucy on Malaika Babies’ Home Third Birthday

We celebrated Malaika Babies Home 3rd birthday. Special thanks to our Communications Manager Aidah Agwang, Immaculate Atwine our Care Home Manager and Maureen Orogot for organizing such a great day.

Over 50 guests came to celebrate with us including other babies homes around Kampala including Sanyu Babies Home, Dwelling Places, An Open Door, Kaja Nafasi, Abana Ministries, Youth For Christ Uganda and Action For Children.

We were very happy to see Zaina, Michael and Agnes from Kampala City Council Authority Probation service – they work around the clock giving us care orders and we could not do our job without them.

Many children are referred to us by the Police Child Protection Unit so we were delighted to see Ketty Nandi, Stella and Carol. In the middle of the party we gave them, Carol Bankusha and Zaina a sneak preview of the video of the ‘Working Together’ Conference which will be releasing soon.

 

Police Officer Ketty Nandi

A few years ago adoption was practically unheard of here in Uganda, thanks to the government lead Ugandan’s Adopt campaign it is becoming more and more popular. We could not do this without the help of the media and we’d like to thanks Esther Namirimu and Penlope Nankunda from the New Vision, Sarah from UBC radio and Eseza from WBS who produced a children’s show all about Malaika!

Ugandans Adopt 100 babies

We were very happy to see adoptive parents Amelo and Christina who bought with them friends who have been inspired by their adoptions and filled our expression of interest form to start the adoption process. We don’t actually have any children currently available for adoption and a waiting list of Ugandan families who have been assessed and approved by the Panel waiting for a baby so we hope the babies homes around Kampala will work with us so more children grow up in families in Uganda.

Adoptive parent Amelo with her beautiful daughter.

Other wonderful guests included Julian from NSSF and Edith from Crane Bank, Social Workers from Mengo Hospital and Rubaga Hospital, our Local Councilor came to show his support and celebrity Barbara ‘Barbie’ Kyagulanyi wife of musician Bobi Wine bought donations and cuddles for the children.

Barbie cuddling a baby at Malaika Babies Home.

You might be wondering how we managed to get such incredible images capturing the day? That’s because Steve Greenaway www.stevegreenaway.com a remarkably kind and generous photographer from Australia is over for 10 days volunteering his expertise to work with me on a very exciting campaign which I cannot wait to share with you. Child’s i Foundation relies of people like Steve and you giving us your love, time and money and we cannot do this without you. Thank you.

 

 

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adoption open day open day event

Adoptive Parents Coffee Morning

Families for Children hold regular coffee mornings and training session for adoptive and prospective adoptive parents. This is usually a moment where parents who are adopting or thinking about adoption, meet together for a cup of coffee to share experiences, challenges, common issues on adoption and  gain support from each other.

 

 

Adoptive and prospective adoptive parents listen  to the main speaker of the day during the last coffee morning get together.

A big number of  Adoptive and prospective adoptive parents showed up at the last  Coffee Morning that was held  on 23rd March 2013 s at CRANE/VIVA Offices in Namirembe.We had a great time getting to know each other, sharing experiences and laughing over our cups of coffee.

Please mark  20th April 2013 on your calendars. It will be the day when   a one day adoptive and prospective adoptive parents training  will be conducted from 9:00am to 3:30pm .A contribution by each  parent attending of  20,000 shillings only  goes towards their break tea, Lunch and certificates at the end of the training.

You are also encouraged to inform other prospective and adoptive parents and fostering parents about these events or forward these dates to them and encourage them to attend as well.

For more information: Email Roger Mbazira at families.children@gmail.com

 

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adoption open day

Meeting The Media

Child’s i Foundation recently held an Open Day at Malaika Babies Home where we got the chance to meet many of Uganda’s key journalists. Getting the word out about domestic adoption is key in the quest to find new Ugandan families for the many children who need them, and we hope that media representatives across Uganda will take the opportunity to help raise awareness of adoption issues.

If you are a journalist interested in doing a story about domestic adoption or would like to know more about the campaign that Child’s i Foundation is running to find new adoptive families then please get in touch we would love to hear from you. You can email adoption@childsifoundation.org or call 0791777319

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open day

Birthday Celebrations!

Malaika Babies’ Home is one year old!

Our transitional care centre opened its doors exactly a year ago and in that time we’ve re-settled 24 babies back with their families or in to new adoptive families.

We recently had a 1st birthday party to celebrate, complete with face painting and cake!

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