QUARTERLY NEWS
Spring 2017
Child Spotlight: Meet Kamukama Shamah
Kam is 17 hears old, and has been served through the programs of HEED since age six. He is looked after mostly by his grandmother, who cares for about eight other grandchildren. Kam says, "before HEED, being able to attend school was just a dream." He is now in his third year of high school, and will be the first-ever high school graduate in his family. Kam shared with Julie, "When I was 16, I asked God to change my life. He has given me a vision of ministering with English songs." 

Go Kam! We like your vision!!
April Mission Team

Our mission trips to Uganda are always fulfilling and encouraging. W e are excited to have two pastors  from Sound City Bible Church in Lynnwood join us on our upcoming April team. This is the first time we have had pastors with us, and we are elated at this answered prayer! The mission team will join with a team of Ugandans from our partner ministry. Together we will be doing an outreach to children in area schools and ministering to the community through daily seminars at the church. The team will be in Uganda from April 18-May 4th. We would love your prayers!


If you would like to support our team, these are things we are collecting:
  • Soccer balls and jump ropes 
  • Over-the-counter medicines and Band Aids 
  • Pony beads 
  • Good quality new or used black leather shoes
  • New or like-new water bottles
E-mail [email protected] for drop-off directions.
Project Update:  New Dormitories Nearly Complete

At our Experience HEED event in May 2015, we shared an opportunity  we had to qualify for a Rotary International Grant. Many of you  generously contributed toward our fundraising goal to help make the grant happen. Now, thanks to Shoreline Rotary and many of you, two primary school dormitories that were part of that grant are near completion. 

The Rotary International Grant provided
 two shell structures to harvest water
The structures are being finished
 into dormitories

Two structures to harvest water, like the one pictured above, were completed thro ugh the grant. Through additional support, HEED is finishing the structures into needed dormitories.  The dormitories will provide housing for students who live too far away to walk to school, are orphaned, or come from outside the area because of the school's excellent performance on national exams. Students from outside the area can afford full tuition, and help support the operating costs of the school. 

This has been a multi-year, multiple-person project that will provide comfortable, quality housing for our children.  Thank you to everyone who helped make the vision become a reality!
Christmas Gift Catalog Update

At HEED we have always operated by faith, believing that God is faithful to supply where He calls. W e  choose primarily to pray rather than broadcast needs continually. We rely on God to put it on hearts to supply thro ugh direct giving or through events supporters initiate.  We have so many testimonies of God's faithfulness to send exactly what is needed.

Several years ago, a supporter suggested we create a giving catalog, and then helped us complete our first one. Since then, we have continued to send out our "catalog of wishes" each December which highlights some of our financial needs and the projects we hope to do over the next year. Some people give items as Christmas gifts, and many others just give. Every December, and throughout the year, we are astounded and grateful for those who equip us to reach out in tangible love to our neighbors in Uganda. Thank you!

Highlights from December Giving:
    • $30,700 in general gifts which will cover 57% of our Annual Operating Budget
    • ALL medical costs funded for the year
    • $6000 for Educational Materials
    • Many animals for income generation
    • Funds to build one full high school classroom
    • Over $50,000 raised!
Thank you for your generous outpouring toward our 2017 projects. 
We are off to a great  start!

Click here for more information about our 2017 projects 
New Website Launched!


We have been working for many months to put together an updated website that helps site visitors more easily understand the mission of HEED, view recent photos, and find out about our current initiatives.  Special thanks to Justin Leif and Eric Crissman who have volunteered their time and talent to bring the new site to life. Click on the link below to see our fresh, new look!


Staff Highlight: Irene Nakato, Country Director
 

In 20 15, we hired Irene to be our point person in Uganda. Irene  graduated from Bible College through our partner ministry, had recently attended a year-long leadership training program, and had started a ministry teaching skills to young, unwed mothers. Previously Irene was the outreach and crusade team coordinator for our partner ministry, and we had seen first-hand what a strong leader and godly woman she is. Irene shares her time between her work with HEED and her Women's Empowerment Ministry.

We were blessed to have Irene with us for two weeks in the fall for meetings and training after a family brought her to the US to join them on their vacation. Some of you got to meet Irene at the Meet & Greet event we held at Point Edwards. It was special to be able to introduce Irene to many of you who equip the team on the ground for ministry. 
How Many Now?

We started with 17 children in 2005. Here's HEED by the numbers today:
  • 348 Primary Students
  • 82 High School Students
  • 38 Teachers and school staff
  • 4 Part or full-time administrative staff
Hundreds of children have their futures improved daily and many adults provide for their families through our collective efforts to bring love and hope to this community and its children. 

Speaking Opportunities

We love to share with children and small groups about HEED, life in Uganda, and the many ways God has shown us His faithfulness. If you have a sharing opportunity, let us know. We would be honored! Email: [email protected].

Prayer Requests

We would be grateful for your prayers for HEED in the following areas:
  • A safe and productive mission trip in April 17- May 5.
  • God's wisdom and guidance for the newly installed Ugandan board.
  • A bar in a shed has opened next to the girls' dormitory. It is a loud, destructive influence. The owner wants a huge price to move it. We need God to move it!
  • Financial provision for high school classroom construction.
  • We have had some staffing changes in Uganda, and need God to direct us to the right people to join our team.
  • That we would "Act in unity and move in love" in all that we do.
We would like to raise up a HEED Prayer Team for consistent and urgent prayer needs. If you would be interested in participating, please email [email protected]. We would love to have you on our team!