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INTRODUCTION
Uganda (latitude 0°, longitude 33°): Once called the “Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill, this equatorial country is still recovering (since the overthrow of Idi Amin, in 1979) from a violent history of dictatorship, not to mention the ongoing 18 year war in the North against the tyrannious rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army. Meanwhile another microscopic war has infected more than 2 million of a population of 24.5 million and killed another 800 000. The responsible AIDS virus has left 1 million orphans. This figure represents the most AIDS orphans in any single country in the world. Although the government has successfully slowed the epidemic, reducing the number of infected individuals from 16% to about 8% of the population, the parentless children remain. The innocent orphans, who have suffered the most from this crisis, have not been forgotten but local ressources are very limited. International aid, given directly to the children, is needed. Destitute Ugandans often seek help from local churches; children are no exception. Evangelist Pastor John Bosco Sanyu found himself faced with an increasing number of malnurished, lonely, and often abused AIDS orphans. Finding courage in God the Pastor opened his home and his heart. In 1989 he rallied a group of pastors together and, in the spirit of helping vunerable and disadvantaged individuals in the Western district of Uganda, founded the non-governmental organisation Christian Life Assembly of Uganda.
Since the creation of Christian Life Assembly of Uganda, Bosco has worked with orphans thru this org
anisation. After having registered 1049 orphans in the Kabarole district (Western Uganda), Bosco selected 156 particularly bright orphans, in the most hopeless and desperate situations, that he would try to help as much as possible. The destitute orphans were then placed in the care of Christian widows (already impoverished) or host famillies, where they at least had a bed to sleep in and a bite to eat. As Pastor Bosco says, “Those who have the least help the most.” Bosco himself has six orphans currently staying with him full time and takes on twenty more during school holidays. As his six room mud house cannot fit everyone he has aquired two broken down minibus taxis and a broken down car where some of the orphans sleep. His wife (Beatrice or Akiki) not only cooks for the children but also cultivates all the food necessary for their nourishment. She also organises a schedual consisting of divers chores (weeding, fetching water, collecting firewood....) and play times to keep the orphans on task and occupied.
Pastor John Bosco Sanyu
As most of the children lost their parents at a young age they naturally call the Pastor ‘Baba' (father) and Akiki ‘Mama'. In fact, upon visiting Bosco, one cannot distinguish his own five children apart from the rest of the crowd. Despite all the effort and love dedicated to the orphans many difficulties remain.
Widows who have welcomed orphans into their homes
PROBLEMS and NEEDS
EDUCATION 
The current president, Yoweri Museveni, has made free education available for the first seven years of school. Although this is quite a feat in a war ridden third world country, unfortunately the quality of the education offered remains questionable. In some schools a single teacher (who has not necessarily completed high school) is responsible for over one hundred and fifty students at seven different levels. Private schools offer both reasonable class sizes and educated teachers, but they are expensive (by local living standards). Regardless of the status of the school uniforms are required and along with books and scool supplies they are aquired at the students own expense. For the time being fifteen orphans are in secondary school (four boarding and eleven in day schools). Although these adolescents are doing well, studying hard, and have chances of getting university scholarships, their dreams of higher education are constantly menaced and interupted because of unpaid school fees .
MEDICATION
After the death of his parents eleven year old Clovis was the sole caretaker of his younger brother Tadeo. Before being disco
vered and taken to Bosco for help, the toodler suffered intense malnutrition. Such stories are all too common amoung the orphans. Malnutrition at a young age can cause permanent mental and physical damage, leaving the child susceptible to diseases (rampant in the equatorial climat of Uganda). Malaria treatment and tests are expensive but needed (the disease is the top killer of Ugandan children). Medical attention and treatment is indispensable when raising vunerable orphans. Because of their impending death (sad but true) Bosco is only caring for thirteen abandoned HIV positive orphans ; at least they die in a loving atmosphere. As their weakened immune systems cannot fight against all the invaiding tropical bacteria and viruses, these unfortunate children have a constant need of special medical attention. Because of the exponentiel cost, the use of AIDS specific treatment is not even considered.
Tadoe Kiiza For more information click on photo
YOUNG WOMEN
Women are internationally teased for being expensive. In this case the cost is not because of excessive shoes 
and such but is simply ingrained into human biology. The cost of pads, needed by all the adolescent female orphans, is enough to seriously dent the budget. Another difficulty is brought about by older men who violently sexually harass young women. Sexual harrassment is now considered a serious crime in Uganda, but in a country where equal rights was only just established (year 2000) old habits die hard. Teenage female orphans have accentuated vunerability and must be educated and surveilled to avoid harassement. Pastor Bosco persecutes men for sexual harassment towards young orphans on a monthly basis.
BASIC NEEDS
FOOD
As Uganda is a very fertile country with two long rainy seasons (making produce available year round), food is not a major problem. Maintaining a balanced diet is more difficult. Pastor John Bosco has 83 acres of land to graze his cattle, goats and sheep that provide meat and milk for the growing orphans. Orphans living with nearby foster famillies come with bottles in the evening for fresh milk. Medication for sick cows (many parasites effect cattle health) is another unforseen cost. Bosco also cultivates many vegetables (corn, casava, matoke, peanuts, beans, peas, squash, potatoes, cabbage...) on his land to feed the children.
HOW TO SPONSOR
Orphans with the vehicles they sleep in.
ORPHANAGE PROJECT
A long term project, planned by Christian Life Assembly, is the construction of an orphanage. By housing more orphans the organisation can provide a stable environment for the children and take some of the burden off the impoverished widows who serve as host famillies. The blue prints, which have already been drawn up, include living space for one hundred orphans (four dormitories, bathrooms, a kitchen and a dining area). A primary school with seven classrooms is also drawn into the orphanage plans. The third element of the building is a medical clinic. A full time doctor and a nurse, at the disposition of the orphans and the local community, will be employed. The orphanages' services will be free for orphans yet open to other local children for a price. With the help of volunteers, the actual construction of the building will only cost 15 184 euros. Other eventual expenses are the nurse's and teachers' wages.
Pastor John Bosco has already aquired 83 acres of land for the orphanage. Situated 20km from Fort Portal, Western Uganada, the plot currently serves as agricultural and pastoral land (to feed the orphans a balanced diet). The proximity of the orphanage to his home will allow the mission director (John Bosco) to be more vigilante in the upbringing (checking on school progress , psychological and physical state…) of « his » numerous children.
VOLUNTEERS
Caring for numerous orphans is an emormous job. As the Pastor reins over 32 churchs in the region, his wife is often left home alone to, not only cultivate the land, but also to feed and care for up to 25 orphans. In this equatorial region the garden is in constant state of production and requires copious amounts of weeding and tilling (done without machinery). Never tierd of learning, young orphans are thrilled to spend an afternoon reading an english book to someone who can actually correct them. The Pastor and his wife appreciate foreingers and really need a helping hand. Volunteers should be motivated to work and prepared to live a Ugandan lifestyle (rather grass roots one might say). As the house is already full to the brim, volunteers should bring a tent light sleeping
bag, etc....
A group of volunteers will eventually be needed for the construction of the orphanage (once the funds have been assembled). Perhaps a project for an overseas youth group? All building materials will be bought locally and there is a good campsite nearby. Once the orphange is erected any volunteers who wish to gain medical or teaching experience (most teachers in Uganda are educated up to the highest level they teach) are much appreciated.
CONTACT
Pasteur John Bosco Sanyu / Christian Life Assembly of Uganda
P.O. Box 291, Fort Portal, Uganda, East Africa
Tel : 00256-78-450410
e-mail : pastorbosco@yahoo.com
Contact en Français :
Aymoz Benoît
Rue des Vernes, 38220, Montchaboud, France
Tel : 04 76 78 32 73
e-mail : aymozb@yahoo.fr
