Church partnership brings love to the needy in Nabiswera

By Simon Peter Esaku 

Luck is not equal for everyone. Annet Zibera, 40, was born with a short, bent right hand; a mental handicap and now has unstable marital relationships. Her three children too, miss their fathers; lack basic necessities and have to depend on handouts for survival. No one knows where their two fathers are.

Unable to do domestic chores, grow crops or generate any income, Annet and her children still live at the home of her 75 year-old father, Paulo Nyiringabo in Kalubanga village, about 160 km northwest of Kampala. Annet too needs care just like her children- Margaret Mbabazi, aged one, Mary Nakago, 4, and Beth Nakyanzi, 8.

“I and my husband are the ones who help Annet and her children,” says 30 year-old Annet Nabasa. Her husband Fred Mashaba, 46, is one of Annet Zibera’s brothers. “We give Annet’s family food such as cassava, sweet potatoes, beans, groundnuts and milk besides soap and clothes,” Nabasa adds.

Nabasa and Fred who depend on farming share whatever they would have eaten alone with their four children aged two and eight with the family of Annet. Their home is just two kilometers from that of Annet in Kalubanga village, Nabiswera sub-county, Nakasongola district in central Uganda. 

“Aunt Nabasa also buys exercise books, pens and pencils for me and pays for my lunch and examination at school,” explains eight year-old Beth at home in Kalubanga village in Nabwisera Area Development Programme (UGA-193597) supported by World Vision Australia.

Nabasa says that she is helping Annet and her children as a Christian. “I am assisting Annet and her children because in our church they tell us that we should help orphans and vulnerable children,” Nabasa explains. Her church- St Stephen Nabiswera Church of Uganda is one of those that partner with Nabiswera ADP.

She adds, “We learned about helping needy families from World Vision trainings.” She says that other church members also help Zibera’s family and similar ones thus bringing to life Jesus’ teaching of loving one’s neighbour as one’s self.  

“We have been organising some child rights and child protection trainings for the communities since last year,” says Emmanuel Kalibala, a staff of Nabiswera ADP. “We tell them about the children’s right to basic necessities such as food, health care, education, clothing and shelter,” he enumerates. Nabasa confirms that she attended one in May 2013, March 2014 and April 2014.

“The training in April 2014 was on gender relations from a biblical perspective covering such areas as vision for transformed relations in families and community,” explains Vincent Langariti, World Vision Uganda Spiritual Nurture Coordinator nicknamed “The Pope.” 

The church partnership takes other forms. World Vision trained 300 church members as Sunday school teachers in 2013. The one trained in Nabasa’s church also trained three more members including Nabasa now heading Sunday school in the church.

Since the initiation of Sunday school in St Stephen Church where eight year-old Beth Nakyanzi also fellowships, many changes have taken place. “When we did not have Sunday school, children were not recognised. But now the children have their own service, they can participate, sing, read scriptures, minister to fellow children and are listened to,” Nabasa narrates.

“I sing in church, I learn stories and I pray,” says Beth Nakyanzi, a World Vision Registered Child (UGA-193597-1531). She remembers one bible story, “Jesus was nailed on the cross and he died. When he was buried, some people came to check on him but he was not there, he had resurrected.” 

“World Vision also trained eleven church members in special needs for people with disabilities,” says Emmanuel. Solomon Nduga who was trained in St Stephen Church checks on Annet and her children. “Last year Solomon identified need for water in Annet’s family. As a result World Vision provided a water tank to Annet’s family and ten other families,” Emmanuel says.

The collaboration between World Vision and churches is beginning to yield fruits of love in Nabiswera.