The Tree of Wisdom is growing with amazing strength! It’s branches are already reaching out to shelter and feed over 70 orphans in Northern Uganda. The children live in the vicinity of 3 main villages: Gulu, Atiak, and Paidha. Over the
past 2 weeks, Sr. Rosemary has been traveling to these areas and meeting with all of the orphans and their guardians to introduce them to the Tree of Wisdom program. Explaining that the Tree of Wisdom is not just a handout, but intended to care for the children in all ways. They need to be fed, clothed, sent to school, well cared for, and supported in the home environment. We have hired a young man named Robert Komakech to follow the children, and see that these goals are being met. In his words, he is going to be their father and will watch over them. The new program has been received with great enthusiasm by all. The children are now part of the TOW family–a sense of belonging which is sorely needed by all people, especially orphans. The guardians have decided to start an association among themselves to support one another. Thanks to the generosity of all of you, a beautiful new family is growing roots.
When Sister met with the children they had many interesting questions. One young boy, 12 years old, said we could send him to school and feed him but he was concerned about his health. He said, “my abdomen is distended and I know there is something living in there, what good is school if I die from this disease?” A very 
wise young man. Many of these children have distended abdomens either from malnutrition or from schistosomiasis–a parasite contracted through the skin from not wearing shoes. With this we decided to ask the Physician Assistant and Nurse from St Monica’s to go to the villages to provide some basic healthcare for these children.
Sister asked a group of children how we could make Christmas special for them this year. A young child stood up and said they would love to get to eat meat on Christmas day. All the rest enthusiastically agreed. When our children are asked what they want for Christmas, do they ask for food? So, in honor of Christmas, the first fruits of the Tree of Wisdom included a bag of rice, a small amount of money to buy meat for Christmas day, and a small toy for each of the children. Sister said it was amazing the smiles that it brought to the childrens’ faces. Now this is the true meaning of Christmas. All of our sponsors are bringing hope to the hopeless–THANK YOU!!
Gob bless you and your families at this beautiful Christmas Season. Let’s remember to be thankful for all the little things we all take for granted in this land of plenty.
Merry Christmas!
Monique
It is such a joy to be a small part of the healing process that needs to begin somehow and somewhere for these children. Thanks to you and to Sr. Rosemary for making it possible!
Thanks Pat! You’ve been much more than a small part of this thing. You have been watering the roots of this tree. Afoyo!