28th September
I sent the following message to those who subscribe to RYDA eNews.

Dear Friends & Supporters of Rubaga Youth Development Association,

I attempted to telephone Director Geoffrey Kyeyune twice last week. On Wednesday evening I reached him in his hospital bed, where he had been for a week. His blood sugar level had risen to 8 (the highest acceptable reading is 7) and he was being stabilised. He was too weak to talk, but asked me to try the next day. On Thursday when I reached him he was in the process of being discharged, so we could not talk for long. However, I gleaned the following information and thought this a better way to keep you informed on this occasion, rather than changing the web site.

• The 80 youths, boys and girls, who have been on site during lockdown are still being cared for and educated by a devoted and isolated staff from the cook to the principal.
• No COVID cases have occurred.
• It is expected there will be some return to education across the country from November 1st.
• Significant new requirements - including building additional toilets/washrooms in the vocational training area - will have to be met before re-opening.
• The transfer of AUD$1577 sent on August 31st was received.
• Geoffrey has set aside $700 - $1000 of that as a start to financing any necessary changes.
• A week after the last transfer was sent, an anonymous donor among us placed AUD$1000 into our account for RYDA. (Thank you!)
• If you wish to add to that amount before it is sent off to RYDA St. Margaret's account details for activity within Australia are: BSB 633 000 Account No. 157319310. Please mark your transfer 'RYDA'.
• If you are outside Australia and wish to contribute, please contact me using the email below.

Blessings and grateful thanks to you all for your continuing prayers and support.

Nothing Stops The Can Man
Ron Seccull could have taken a break from collecting bottles and cans for RYDA when the Victorian border was closed to NSW for 5 weeks, but he didn't. He said he couldn't bear to think of them going into rubbish bins if he didn't keep up his rounds in Yarrawonga. So he continued visiting his donors and bought a pack of big garbage bags. They take 40 bottles each. As each one was filled he stacked it on the blind side of his unit, eventually creating what was probably the world's largest black bag barrier.

When restrictions lifted he took multiple trips to the recycle centre in Mulwala and was rewarded with $360!

That was 3 or 4 weeks back and Ron had kept on gathering.

This week he transferred $700 to our account for RYDA, which brings the total he and his Yarrawonga donors have contributed since he began in December last year to $3775!

Ron's amount was added to $1000 given by the anonymous donor at the beginning of September and just over $400 from other faithful and committed supporters since then, to begin organising a transfer of just over $AU2100, which we expect will be in the RYDA account early next week.

Thank you to everyone for your continuing prayer and practical support for Rubaga Youth Development Association.

31st October
This message was also distributed to members of St. Margaret's and St. John's.

I spoke with Geoffrey Thursday evening. He was at home resting in preparation for a journey of several hours to Tororo, a main centre in the Eastern Region. Here he will be admitted to hospital for a week of operations on both eyes to correct cataracts that have developed as a result of his on-going diabetes. He has chosen to have the operation in the region because it is about one third of the cost of having it in Kampala.

I was able to tell him that we transferred $US1583.26 to RYDA on Wednesday. Their Treasurer and Principal will organise access to that in his absence. It is much needed to fulfil requirements associated with return to school which include more drinking water taps and power points around the compound, extending the girls' bathroom area and a suite of other items that relate both to the daily 'school' situation and the additional 24 hour dormitory and living arrangements. Despite all this extra administrative demand, the students who had to be sent away at the start of lockdown have been invited to return on Sunday (today).

Geoffrey asked that I express to everyone his grateful thanks for our 'extensive support' through lockdown. It has helped supply food and so many other necessities, and helped to build some reserve for this re-opening. He believes they would not have reached this stage without our help.

Christmas Gift Certificates

Perhaps a little early this year, but, given the media attention on potential postal delays, we thought it best to remind you of this annual fundraiser now. Choose the version you need.

We have given for you...

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? ... With Gift Certificates everyone wins. Click the image you need, then print, Or save the file and take it to your local print shop.

I have given for you...

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:

• Include a reference to RYDA in the payment.
• Email doug@blackdouglas.com.au to confirm the transaction.