SHADE: New School Launched in January

SHADE Village School - Phase 1 was completed and classes started in January!!! Shade Helps provided master planning for this village. This first of, Lord willing, many buildings is constructed using shipping containers.

Following is the SHADE story:

Since 2014, Shade has been serving children with albinism in Shinyanga, Tanzania. Our mission is transforming lives by bringing the tangible love of Christ to children with albinism in Tanzania.

Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that results in a lack of the pigment melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes. This results in pale skin, light-colored hair, and low vision. The lack of skin pigmentation leaves people with albinism very sensitive to the sun and at risk of skin cancer. But the oppression goes even further. People with albinism are often seen as outcasts and the forgotten in Tanzania. Not only do they face discrimination, but also life-threatening attacks due to belief in witchcraft practices proporting that sacrificing the body parts of people with albinism will bring good luck.

Shade’s beliefs couldn’t be further from those beliefs. We believe in the deep LOVE that Jesus Christ has for them. We believe they are worthy of life and worthy of love. We feel called and convicted to protect, equip, and empower these ones with albinism.

God has given us a vision and is at work to provide a permanent place of hope for the region and the people with albinism we fight for. Our land is located in the village of Magobeko, just outside of Shinyanga town. In 2018, we drilled a well and hit sweet water, installed a solar water pump, and began to erect foundational buildings. The vision for the Shade campus includes a quality school, homes for vulnerable children, a clinic, prayer room, and resource center. Read more about the full vision here.

Thank you for joining with us to fight for the lives of children with albinism in Tanzania. Together, we can create hope for a better future for these most vulnerable ones.

ALI UGANDA CAMPUS

 ALI Uganda (https://aidchild.org) is a new ministry that my we've been able to work with. Following is a brief description of what ALI does:

A.L.I. (previously known as AidChild) is a grassroots initiative which has been serving children and youth in the Masaka, Mpigi, and Wakiso districts of Uganda since 2000. We were the first to provide free pediatric antiretroviral therapy (ARV) in the country--and among the first in the world to do so. We now have two NEW innovative efforts as we pursue our goal of an HIV-free generation:

My Helps architectural design associate, Dale Slusser worked with ALI founder, Dr. Nathaniel Dunigan in developing a master plan for a new campus for this ministry on an oddly shaped piece of land. Renderings were provided by a Chris Yust on a volunteer basis.

Following is a brief bio of Dr. Dunigan, and the founding of ALI, followed by some images of the children they have and are helping:

Nathaniel Dunigan first visited Uganda when he was Deputy Director of the Office of the Governor in Tucson, Arizona. A one-month assignment as a volunteer HIV-prevention educator had taken him to Africa where he met so many children who were suffering and dying. His return to the states was marked with a great resolve to make a difference. That resolve led Nathaniel to complete a feasibility study for his AidChild concept, and then to resign from his job, sell his home, car and belongings, and move to Uganda. He was 26 years old, and had an entire budget of $3,500. Two years later, AidChild was chosen by the Ugandan and American governments as a model of pediatric HIV/AIDS care for the entire continent of Africa. A second center was created just after that, as was a treatment laboratory that has served the needs of more than 3,000 children and adults living with AIDS. The organization earns 70% of its own budget thanks to businesses he created under the AidChild corporate label, and is 100% administratively self-sustained thanks to a Ugandan management team.

ALETHEIA MINISTRY HEADQUARTERS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Last year the ground floor was completed for this 3-story new church and ministry training center. The church is able to meet on the ground floor; but eventually, this is intended to be used for housing when all three floors are constructed. Following are construction progress photos, followed by a brief update from Michael Turay, the ministry founder and pastor:

For the past few months, one of our main goals that we are locked-in on, is the completion of the building project. The main reason being that its availability for ministry will enhance our ministry effectiveness so much more. It will give us the chance to increase our outreach and training programs, which include:

1.      A “monthly 2-day word camp” for all believers who wants to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2.      The constructive training for more ministers of the word through our bible school, which is in the process of registration with, and will be recognize by the government of our nation.

3.      The establishment of our primary and vocational schools, which are based on “Christian education” principles, aiming at their salvation and spiritual growth process, during their education.

We are encouraged that our God Almighty continue to give us ministry opportunities to reach out to the lost, especially the muslims with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to disciple His flock to spiritual maturity.

LEA HOSTEL CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

Following are images of the hostel construction progress from last summer until this past February. They build as funds allow; these dorms are needed to provide housing for their growing school population (over 600), most of which are orphans. Wonderful school, wonderful orphanage, wonderful ministry!