Welcome to RYDA support for 2024. Just a quick update to begin the year: Students returned to the RYDA campus in mid to late January, after spending the Christmas / New Year break with a family 'of good heart' or a relative registered with RYDA. Those who could not be matched with a family remained on campus in the loving care of a skeleton staff. The exams results were released at the end of January and RYDA students have performed well. Out of 86 who sat at the end of last year, 75 got Distinctions and 11 got Grade 2. We need to congratulate our donors for the support which enabled us to perform well. Geoffrey Steven Kyeyune, Director Geoffrey also commented: We can now celebrate because despite the challenges God prevailed. We have resumed the training but the food items are very expensive and scarce.

Students sitting exams in St. Margaret's Hall, RYDA, November 2023

Fundraising Update

Our last transfer to RYDA was December 4th. Almost immediately funds began to build again due to the on-going movement of the Spirit in the lives of our generous donors.

We will soon be sending another donation to Rubaga Youth Development Association. Now is a good time to send any amount you might want to include to our banker church, St. Margaret's. See our How to Support page. Be sure to include the word RYDA in the reference to your transfer.

Significant recent donations include: Christmas Gift Certificates: $570 Ron Seccull and his can collecting supporters in Yarrawonga: $650 But your gift doesn't have to be big stuff to be valuable. For example, St. Margaret's keeps a RYDA donation box at the door. When people arrive for Sunday Service, anyone can drop in a gold coin, or the change in their pocket or sometimes something more. It all adds up. Through 2023 the total through the 'RYDA Box' was $1139.55.

Don't miss Singularity's costumed, concert performance of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Gondoliers:

• Cowes 2pm May 26th
• Mooroolbark 2pm June 23rd

March 2024

At the end of February, Geoffrey Steven Kyeyune, Director, sent this message:

I have been sick and l was with a severe flu infection and with serious malaria. There is a lot of serious sunshine and water is on and off. Food is scarce especially the beans. Whenever school calendar year begins the demand for food items is high. When am stressed the sugar levels rise. l try to control it by resting. ... It's OK. We are working on making this happen for the young people to get what to eat despite the current situations.

Beans being hard to get at this time of year is an annual problem, which Geoffrey has somehow always been able to solve. The staple RYDA needs to feed its students is maize flour. It is mixed with water in the morning to make a 'porridge' to which sugar is added. In the evening it is mixed with oil and fried and served with fried beans. Vegetables and fruit supplement the diet when available. This includes matoke (green bananas) from their own plantation when in season.

Children At Work

Early March we received this message and photos (see below) to assure us that RYDA's staff and children continue every day with their tasks of teaching and learning life and vocational skills which will give these young people an opportunity for a positive future, regardless of the life they may have been trapped in before they decided to ask for a place RYDA's residential training college.

Yesterday I was at RYDA Centre. It was good to see the team working with the children in practical skills with the little materials they've been with. The innovative approaches by the instructors has been very helpful to the trainees. Also the trainees who have been in placement at Munyonyo Conference Hotel, three girls from the catering department, have been retained to work with the hotel.

March 12th St. Margaret's Treasurer transferred funds collected since our previous transfer at the beginning of December. The amount sent was:

On March 14th, after being informed of the transfer the previous day, Geoffrey wrote:

Thanks for the support to help with the training materials. The young people will appreciate in their efforts to acquire the necessary skills. ... I called the bank to confirm if the funds has been credited and write to acknowledge the receipt of USD1600, which is equivalent of 5,600,000 Ugandan Shillings. We need to salute our donors for their support. ... It's pretty good to receive such support when there is a critical need at RYDA. Please send our sincere thanks for the opportunity. They continue to support the team. Save The Date Don't miss Singularity's costumed, concert performance of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Gondoliers: Cowes 2pm May 26th Mooroolbark 2pm June 23rd

   

       

       

May 2024

• Your mid-march donation of $2552.05 came at just the right time. It was used to purchase training materials for the centre, food items for the children and refuel the van.
• Currently RYDA is providing 24/7 residential care and vocational training for 123 orphaned or otherwise disadvantaged youths - 53 girls and 70 boys.

Also, we have learned a little more about the three hospitality students who were offered employment at Munyonyo Conference Hotel. We knew that the offer came because of the quality of their field placement work. (See March News in Previous News link above.) What we have learnt since is that they were on placement in January and from the 15th to 20th when the hotel was the site for the NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) Summit. The movement has 120 member countries, around 90 of which participated in Kampala, including 30 heads of state. Being offered full time employment when the guests were such an important and distinguished group is further evidence that the young ladies' work must have been truly outstanding. The Director, staff and the girls themselves have a right to be proud.

Making Music in May Put this one in your diary and tell the world! St. John's is the venue for a Sunday afternoon of mirthful, musical, merriment with all proceeds supporting the continuing success of Rubaga Youth Development Association. This excellent volunteer choir, who do all their performances for charity, would love to see you there. It will be warm and wonderful. Please spread the word to your friends. If you would like to pin a poster where you live, work or play, click the image to reveal an A4 PDF you can print yourself. A Thought for Ron We had a call from Ron Seccull the other day. Regular readers would know him as the man (of senior years) who does such amazing work in Yarrawonga collecting cans and bottles to cash in for RYDA. He's developed a couple of health issues that have put a stop to his faithful work for now. When you have a moment, you might spare a prayer for the success of the medical procedures and a strong, healthy recovery.

June 2024

Singularity Sings for RYDA in June Singularity's performance of The Gondoliers in Cowes last month was a successful and thoroughly enjoyable afternoon for everyone. Look through the Rogue's Gallery below to get a feel for the light-hearted, fun-filled musically magnificent afternoon that was attended by 80+ people and raised $1,425 for Rubaga Youth Development Association. Your last opportunity to enjoy this toe-tapping afternoon is Sunday June 23rd at St. Margaret's Uniting Church, Mooroolbark. Bring a friend and join the crowd. If you would like to pin a poster where you live, work or play, click this image to reveal an A4 PDF you can print yourself. Meet Some RYDA Students The children in these photos are learning using materials purchased through your recent donations. The boy in this photo, whose name is David, is doing a motor vehicle course. He is preparing to do his final Uganda Business & Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) exam.

The photos below are from the welding and metalwork course. The girl with the white shoes, Sylvia, excelled in her final UBTEB exam. RYDA is now planning to place these students in work in the local community, as soon as they can fund resettling kits. These kits vary depending on the student's course, but include startup tools and other materials to help equip them for their chosen vocation. Also below, you can take a photographic tour of the RYDA compound. They are very pleased with their recent facelift, which, of course, they did themselves.

Tour the RYDA Compound

	Welcome. Please come in and look around our campus. <----- That's St. Margaret's Hall behind and above the RYDA sign. -----> Let's take a closer look.   Look up as you walk across the driveway from here and you see...
...and David's training vehicle. Walk up the driveway a little further and you see this path on your right which leads to the administration block.	Two rows of teaching rooms.	Turn half right when standing at this footpath <----- and you can see the boys' dormitories on top of the hill across the playing field.
The tall unfinished building in the background is a private apartment block across a small street beside the boundary wall.	Turn half right while you stand at the head of this path and you see the side of St. Margaret's Hall. The path beside it and along the low hedge leads to a gate in the wall.	Pass through the gate, cross the road and enter the girls' dormitory compound. Looking back, the peak of the hall can just be seen above the first tank.
Turn around and look along... (Unfortunately you can't choose your neighbours.)	the girls dormitory (there are matching rooms on the other side)... -----> The resident teacher's house is above this path	to the kitchen, storage rooms and the big red dining area, which is sometimes shared with the boys. at the left end of the dining hall.

A huge thank you to Singularity for the generous gift of their time and talent, to all the helpers at Cowes who made the afternoon such a success and to each and every person who donated, or purchased a ticket, to bring about such a wonderful total. Your generosity supports RYDA to continue to provide vocational and life skill training to orphaned and disadvantaged 12-18 year-olds.

Finally we discover the Prince's identity. Shock, disbelief ... but happily ever after.	> Helen and assistant Margaret are congratulated, applauded and thanked for sensational costumes.

July 2024

These photographs, taken mid-June, show students at work in various departments, all of which need teaching resources. Part of our March transfer to RYDA was used to purchase many of the training materials you see here.

 

 

 

Students in the last photo are participating in a practical pretest exam
usually conducted in June by the government examination board.

Singularity at St. Margaret's

As part of the welcome at Singularity's June 23rd performance of the Gondoliers, this message from Geoffrey Steven Kyeyune to the choir and the audience was read aloud. Please let the Singularly choir know that we appreciate what the choir is doing for RYDA over these years raising funds for the work activities at RYDA Centre. A lot has been achieved with various events you have continued to do year after the year. We are indebted greatly. We salute the entire choir for those who give their time.

Slide show by Franklyn

Out of sight doesn't mean out of minds. I salute you all for sparing time to make it happen again for RYDA. I received photos showing the choir's fabulous outfits. Bravo to all wonderful people enjoying the event.

Shalom,
Geoffrey Steven Kyeyune, Executive Director RYDA

Funds Transferred to RYDA

This week St. Margaret's transferred $AUD4256.75 to Rubaga Youth Development Association) in Uganda to support their on-going vocational and life skill training courses for orphaned and vulnerable teenagers. Australian dollars converted to $USD2733.69.

• Singularity concert Cowes: $1425
• Singularity concert Mooroolbark: $1100
• Ron Seccull's can collecting in Yarrawonga: $400
• A consistent, generous donor: $500

While the finishing touches were being added to this page the following acknowledgement from Geoffrey was delivered by What's App.

I write to acknowledge the receipt of US dollars 2,700 a donation to RYDA. It was credited to the RYDA account. It's equivalent to 9,000,000 Uganda shillings. I want to extend our sincere gratitude to all our donors and friends for their continued support to the organisation. Thanks.

August 2024

How to Spend 9 Million

Our last transfer to RYDA, in July, converted to around 9 million Ugandan Shillings. This is how it was spent:

• 4,000,000 ... training materials
• 2,000,000 ... medical supplies for RYDA Clinic and water bills
• 3,000 000 ... to stock food items

To assist in continuing RYDA's success, we hope to send at least one more donation this year. You can EFT to St. Margaret's account any time you are moved to do so and it will be included.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) St. Margaret's Uniting Church Bendigo Bank BSB 633 000 Account No. 157319310 Swift Code: BENDAU3B (Donors outside Australia only) Please: Enter RYDA in the payment information. If you need a receipt, email Doug. Williams doug@blackdouglas.com.au with your request. The RYDA Motto Can you read the RYDA motto printed on the back of their work overalls? This is completely consistent with the mission of Promoting Employable Skills across the country which is the role of the government Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT). Photos below show students working on some of the DIT assessments that were carried out at RYDA through July and which concluded on August 9th.

A Visit from the Royal House

The visitors to RYDA in these photos are representatives from the Buganda Kingdom of Uganda. The kingdom of the Baganda people, Buganda, established in the 1300s, is a Bantu kingdom within Uganda and is the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day East Africa. It ranges over Uganda's Central Region, including the capital Kampala, and represents about 16% of the population. Find out more at the Kingdom web site and in Wikipedia.
(The kingdom site takes a little while to load depending on your internet speed, but it's worth waiting to see the photos.)

More News

• Mid-August 50 RYDA trainees were chosen to participate in a National Television (NTV) exhibition show that brought welcome public exposure to RYDA's work.
• NTV is considering documenting the transition of RYDA students into work and also recording the RYDA development story.
• Suzan, formerly RYDA Principal, will complete her studies at Uganda Christian University in May 2025. She is in her third year of a Masters degree and has recently finished her first semester exams. She will now begin four months of practicum and research from September to December.
• Save The Date: Sunday November 24th, 2pm, Singularity Christmas Concert for RYDA, St. Margaret's Uniting Church, Mooroolbark. Programme to be advised.

October 2024

The young people who have been working so hard all year in their various courses to grasp with both hands the opportunity to fashion a future work life despite the disadvantages of their lives so far, are right now in the middle of the government exam period. Please encourage them in prayer just as you would your own children or grandchildren.

Support for Suzan

In recent years we have been keeping you informed of Principal Suzan's study. While maintaining her Principal role part time, supported by a Deputy Principal (Mr. Paul Elong and an Operations Director (Mr. Mr. Joseph Makanga), she has been studying to improve her qualifications. RYDA Board has been encouraging her to do that, partly because the national government is pressing for better qualified leaders across schools.

Suzan is in her third and final year of study for a Master of Divinity and has been an excellent student, earning 75% or better in every subject in every semester. This is her second Masters degree. Her first was in Project Planning and Management. Her expanding knowledge, skills and networking is already bringing additional value to RYDA. That will continue.

Suzan (left) with one of her teachers.

A Master of Divinity is a postgraduate qualification in theology which prepares students for ordination to the ministry. On December 15th Suzan takes the next step on that path when she will be ordained as a Reverend Deacon in the church of Uganda, which is of the Anglican tradition. A month ago we sent an email to you all inviting you to help with the cost of the religious garments which Suzan must purchase as part of the ordination process. The total cost is just under AUD1000 and through the generous support of many people, especially from St. Margaret's we were able to contribute AUD555. A wonderful response. Thank you. When Suzan was told, she wrote:

I want to assure you that I am honoured by the interest you have in the challenge to make this happen. I have been working today at RYDA. We are now organising for exams that's going to happen in three weeks time. God's grace will prevail. He chose me. What I know is he is the provider.

Support for RYDA In the third week of October St. Margaret's transferred AUD1711 to RYDA which included $20 towards bank fees in Uganda. The total was made up of: $555 towards Suzan's ordination vestments, $100 of which Ron gave from his can collecting in Yarrawonga, an additional $455 from Ron's tireless work, and the balance from several generous donors of various amounts including those who drop change into the RYDA box at St. Margaret's door each Sunday. Thank you to all involved for your continuing generous support, and to all who pray for the on-going success of RYDA in providing vocational and life-skill training for orphaned and disadvantaged youths. Singularity's Christmas Concert Now you know why we suggested you save the date. If you can possibly get to Mooroolbark in the afternoon of November 24th, this is the place to be. A musical afternoon of joy and hope to prepare you for the pathway to Christmas. Singularity is a voluntary community choir and all proceeds go to Rubaga Youth Development Association.

December 2024

Sunday December 15th Suzan Liz Nabirye, Principal, Rubaga Youth Development Association (RYDA), Uganda, will be attending her ordination service to become a Rev. Deacon in the Church of Uganda. The Church of Uganda is in the Anglican tradition. Suzan will be integrating her new role with her principalship, which can only strengthen and expand RYDA's expertise in serving the vocational and life skill learning needs of the orphaned and disadvantaged teenagers it supports.

Please pray for Suzan, for all involved in the service and give thanks to God for leading Suzan and RYDA to this point. If you use What's App, you can find her on that service and perhaps send your wishes as well. We look forward to seeing photos.

Celebration of Christmas a Success

Sunday afternoon November 24th St. Margaret's church was overflowing with four part harmonies and enthusiastic community singing as we celebrated the approaching Christmas through carols and lessons led by Singularity. The choir asked us if we would like them to perform this repertoire as a fund raising event to support RYDA. Those who came were so glad we said yes. As always the 20+ members donated their time on the day and through several rehearsals beforehand. Admissions and donations totalled $765. Thank you to those who supported with their presence, those who couldn't make it but sent a donation and those who supported by taking on various roles leading up to, and on the day of the performance.

More has since been added to proceeds with $300 from Ron Seccull's dedication to collecting and cashing bottles and cans in Yarrawonga. Even more has been added in the past couple of weeks through Christmas Gift Certificates. Our treasurer will arrange a transfer as soon as possible.

Update 16th December

AUD 2221.65 transferred to RYDA today. This included $20 towards bank fees in Uganda, concert proceeds, Ron's $300 and a variety of wonderful donations from a range of prayerful supporters. Thank you to every one of you. The amount RYDA should see in their account is USD 1333.31.

Christmas Gift Certificates

• Do you struggle to find the right gift?
• Is it getting difficult to tell people what to give you for Christmas or birthday?
• Do you have all you need?
• Are you wanting to down size anyway?
• Are you a bit uncomfortable with the 'surprise' gifts you know cost too much?
• Do you receive gifts you won't use?
• ...

We have given for you...

I have given for you...

• Click the image you need, then print,
• Or save the file and take it to your local print shop.
• Print and include this RYDA Information Sheet with your certificate.

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