a major announcement!

Neither Melissa Mosher nor I could have ever imagined where her first trip to Uganda with Change the Truth Team 1 in December of 2007 would eventually lead.

Melissa fell head over heels in love with everything about the east African country, especially the children at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage. From the moment I first saw her reaching out for hands to hold minutes after our team’s arrival, I knew something very special was happening. It was a profound connection that has only continued to grow stronger over the years. Melissa joined Team 2 in 2008 and traveled to Uganda on her own a few months later. She was a member of Team 3 this past December, and it was then that she brought along her 10-year-old son Antwain to meet the children who had stolen her heart and about whom she spoke so often. On that trip Antwain felt a special connection to the children, too.

(Antwain playing with the SMK marching band)

These children are always on Melissa’s mind, and now they are also on Antwain’s mind.

I am thrilled to announce that Melissa will become the first ever “on the ground Change the Truth/St. Mary Kevin Orphanage Liaison-Social Worker” starting this September. She and Antwain will pack their bags in August and move to Uganda to become a constant presence in the lives of the orphans and to oversee projects supported by CTT.

This move marks the beginning of an important new chapter in the life of CTT. How far we have come in just three years! Thanks to the unwavering support of all our generous donors, we have been able to accomplish so much. We are currently sponsoring 28 students in secondary school and providing them with textbooks, sending a monthly stipend for food for all the orphans and providing opportunities for projects such as brick-making, gardening, rain water collection, maize mill operations and computer education.

(Melissa with sponsored student Henry)

Placing Melissa on the ground at SMK will help insure that all of these endeavors continue to run smoothly and that future needs will be identified.

Needless to say, this is an exciting juncture for everyone involved. More information will follow, as the plan is set into motion. For now, I’d like to extend my appreciation and congratulations to the board of directors of CTT, SMK Director Rosemary, SMK Director of Finance Joseph, to all our donors and to Melissa and Antwain, who will soon me holding the hands of a lot of very happy orphans on a full-time basis!