Caroline, a science teacher at Ranelagh School in Bracknell, Berkshire in England, has with her family, been a loyal supporter of TEAMS for many years. During 2018 she visited Uganda to see for herself how TEAMS works within the needy communities of northern Uganda. Whilst in Gulu, she taught science not only to TEAMS students, but also taught in a couple of Government schools in the area. It was quite an eye-opener for her as class numbers frequently exceed 100 and equipment runs to just a blackboard and chalk (if you are lucky!) Since returning she has been encouraging links between her school and TEAMS vocational training school and this has been a great encouragement to both sides! Caroline knew that our students come from poor backgrounds and do not have enough money to buy basic sanitary items that young women need. These girls often miss classes during their periods because they are too embarrassed to go out. At the beginning of the year, Ranelagh School was given a large number of sanitary towels by manufacturer “Always”. The staff and students decided that there was sufficient to share and enthusiastically agreed to donate some to TEAMS. These were boxed up and given to the Chairman and his wife to take out to Uganda on their March visit! There were too many to take in one go but 2 suitcases were filled with at least 1 other case load left behind to be taken out on the next visit when travel to Uganda is again possible. It exercised our minds as to what we would say if any Customs Officer wanted to know why we were bringing so many of these things with us! Thankfully, our Lord kept the official’s eyes looking the other way and we were saved any embarrassment! Our young girl students were absolutely delighted to receive this “surprise” and given the quantity we had packed into our cases, each student received enough to last them for many months. They could hardly comprehend why a school from the other side of the world would care enough about people they had never met to be so generous!
On their behalf we say a heartfelt “THANK YOU RANELAGH SCHOOL AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS!” If anyone reading this believes they too may be able help TEAMS to spread God’s love to those in need within Northern Uganda, please do get in touch. We would love to hear from you.