PARTNERS IN AFRICA
OCHAN SELF HELP ALLIANCE
The community of St. John’s Mt. Washington has become an avid supporter and advocate of Ochan Self-Help Alliance. Former parishioners Bonnie and William Boto are founders of this organization, which operates in war-ravaged northern Uganda. This charity’s mission is to support resettlement for an estimated 4,500 civilians in their original villages in Awei sub-County, Alebtong District. In 2013, Mother Lori Babcock visited the village of Opach and stayed as a guest of the Botos to learn about their work, and to connect with the Christian community in Uganda. To learn more about Ochan Self-Help Alliance, visit www.ochanalliance.org
There are several ways you can join us in helping the Ochan Self-Help Alliance.
We Love Books!
Don’t forget to bring new or gently loved books to Springwell Chapel any Sunday or to the Spiritual Arts Center any Saturday throughout the summer. The books will fuel the love of learning in nursery though elementary-aged children at Ayaa Nursery and Primary School in Opac, Uganda. Bonny and William Boto will take the books to Opac on their next visit. Books in English are needed as it is the official language in Uganda. If you cannot bring a book, please consider a financial donation toward the purchase of books. To support this effort, send a check to the Ochan Self Help Alliance at P.O Box 172, Cockeysville, MD 21030-0172. Please make the check payable to Ochan Self Help Alliance and put Books on the memo line of your check.
Mama Kits
Women who are pregnant and give birth in Opach village often do not have the resources to pay for their care. Additionally, the local health clinic does not have sufficient medical supplies to provide a safe birth for mothers. To help solve this problem, St. John’s Mt. Washington has been raising money to purchase birth kits that contain sterile medical supplies to help ensure a safer, healthier labor and birth for mother and baby. We call these Mama Kits, and they cost $15 each. Last year, we were able to send 100 kits to Opach Village, giving 100 babies a better start in life. To make a donation in support of this program, send a check to the Ochan Self Help Alliance at P.O Box 172, Cockeysville, MD 21030-0172. Please make the check payable to Ochan Self Help Alliance and put Mama Kits on the memo line of your check.