Since 1995, CANHAVE Children's Centre aims to improve the well-being and opportunity of HIV/AIDS-affected orphans in Uganda through educational support and care. Not only has CANHAVE paid for the school fees and basic needs to educate the children in primary and secondary schools, but it has also contributed resources to improve the facilities of a number of schools, so that teachers and students
can work and learn more effectively. Over the period, we have had news, photos, report cards and letters from Ugandans and Canadian visitors to help us envisage the lives of CANHAVE family members. But 2008 was special in a number of ways. Nine Canadians travelled together to Uganda to visit the children, the Ugandan Board members, the families where the children stay and some of their schools. On one special day, February 2, 2008, the CANHAVE Trade School was opened in Kisubi by one of the Ministers of the Government of Uganda. It was a day of great feast and festivity to celebrate the building of the School. Almost all of the 48 children were able to attend and to take part in welcoming all the guests, through song, dance, soccer and wonderful food. Joseph Kabali, the Children's Coordinator, served as our chauffeur and guide throughout the trip and the CANHAVE van allowed us to see quite a lot of the southern part of the country in a short time. Meeting with our Ugandan Board members and the children has made the understanding of CANHAVE's work and the impact that education and care has on the children more personal and more keen. We are able to tell personal stories and introduce some of the children by name. We are proud of their accomplishments, whether they are young pupils at the beginning of primary school or graduates of vocational and trade school training. The older ones look out for the younger ones and there is a wonderful spirit of family and community. We hope that the joy and hope that the children share in their photos, letters and report cards will encourage you to donate to our work and to become involved as volunteers. We are pleased to talk to you and your networks about CANHAVE because we know that the gifts of education and care allow girls and boys to develop mentally, spiritually and physically and become independent, contributing members of Ugandan society. CANHAVE is a success story and it deserves your attention and resources. Please consider a gift of child sponsorship, a donation or membership and volunteering. Dr. Floyd McPhee
