GREETINGS
We hope that this newsletter updating the progress of Gulu Connection, finds you well. In the UK, it has been a summer to remember; great for suntan but tricky for gardeners. It is now easier to empathize with folk in Africa who often have to cope with drought creating food shortages.
ACTION AT HOME
Gemma was delighted to be invited by a teacher friend to give a presentation about the work of Gulu Connection ahead of Aylesford School year nine’s annual fundraising effort. Gemma gave a great talk and then she and Pete went round the classes as the teenagers devised their plans. Later we were delighted to be called back to receive a cheque for £498. This is a massive achievement and we are exceedingly grateful to all those who were involved.
 ACTION IN UGANDA - OBERABIC STAFF ACCOMMODATION
Good News! The building is now being finished off and solar connected so that folk can now move in. This will be a big step in consolidating the long term improvement of this strategically situated unit.
  ACTION IN UGANDA - OBERABIC STAFF CHANGES
It is all change at Oberabic health unit and Punu Dyang the totally new unit situated in the jungle 20 kilometers away.
The heros are being shuffled. Chris, (far right on the photo below) who has run Oberabic magnificently has a scholarship for further training which will keep him away for 18 months. He is being replaced by the equally magnificent Innocent who has run Puny Dyang so successfully and sacrificially. Twice he has been invited to take a break. First last Christmas and second more recently when there was communal strife which would have exposed him to danger. Both times he refused to leave his post. Innocent is being replaced at Puny Dyang by Opiyo, the guy in the brightly coloured top. He will be supported by visits from Innocent, probably using the motor bike we were able to purchase for the unit. The money you give makes a difference every day.
It is worth remembering that not that many years ago, we reflected that over a five year period there had not been one visit when all staff were present, and often there was no-one working. The life saving change from totally ineffective to significantly advancing health care is transformational.
 MATERNITY CONTINUES TO ADVANCE.
We had to find an opportunity to show these lovely photographs! Thank you Nick for sending them.
Gulu Connection money built the new maternity unit. Now the antenatal clinic is 100 strong. This is life saving as, in addition to the education and monitoring that we are used to in the U.K, there is the opportunity for malaria prophylaxis and HIV testing. Deliveries have been as high as 25 in a month although less last month. This is being worked on. The deliveries are not only life saving, the alternative being a birth without trained supervision in a mud hut, but also bring income to the unit through a USAid voucher scheme.
VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS
Nick and Tessa’s main activity over the last few weeks have been to use their skill to bring some justice and protection to the community around the Pwunu Dyang unit. This unit has been abused by the government leading to 800 huts being destroyed and many fleeing to internal displacement camps. Twice in the recent past Tessa has gone with MP’s and once with a film crew to expose the army’s actions.
This is taking a lot of time. Nick said recently:
''Its been an absolutely enormous few weeks. Tessa today went back to Apaa (Pwunu Dyang) with 230 of the people who had been camping in the UN compound. The army even stopped them for 3 hours at a checkpoint! End of an epic month, but a lot more work to be done. Meetings with the head of the UN in Uganda, US embassy, EU embassy and a bunch of others.''
For folk who are into prayer, this would be a great topic for intercession.
STILL MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE.
The brand-new health unit, 20 kilometers into the jungle from Oberabic, serving a community that had no health care whatsoever at Punu Dyang, continues to thrive. Scovia from Oberabic recently went to help with immunisations.
 FIONA'S CHALLENGE
From this coming October Nick and Tessa will be in the UK for 9 months studying and researching at Cambridge University. The department will be run by Fiona.
We know she will do well with this big responsibility. Another one for intercessors.  THANKS
Thank you so much for your prayers, emails and financial support. As ever we are happy to receive more. And please remember Give As You Live, particularly for big ticket items.
 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP...
You can donate by :
Bank transfer and adding your name as reference.
Account Name. NOCF Account number : 00190468 Sort code: 30-90-95
Or by making a cheque payable to Nechells and Overseas Care Fund and then sending it to the following address :
Mr Peter Hill - Charity Administrator 47 Heneage Street Nechells Birmingham B7 4NF
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