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Ministry reaches out to people with Albinism in Uganda

This came across my google alerts this morning. I haven't had a chance to check this group out, but I thought many of you would be interested and might be willing to check them out for me. Let me know what you find out.

Christian ministry brings hope to Albino children in Uganda

In Uganda, people believe that an albino child is a curse on the family, reports
MNN.

People with albinism inherit a combination of recessive genes that causes a lack of melanin pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. This allows their eyes to be easily damaged and their skin to be unusually susceptible to skin cancer when exposed to sunlight.

Because of their appearance, their communities often shun them, or worse. Ritual killings of persons with albinism are a growing into a crisis in East Africa. The problem has grown so much that a regional body, the pan African Albinism Association formed this May, to address the rights of persons with Albinism.

Reaching out to the children who struggle with the condition fits squarely into the vision statement of Every Child Ministries. ECM's Lorella Rouster says a new ministry opportunity to these kids developed last year during a mission trip. "We saw a boy who was an Albino, and one of the team members noticed how he was going around with his arm up all the time, trying to protect his eyes from the sun. She immediately took off her sunglasses and gave them to him."

The difference that kindness made in the boy's life was startling. ECM is collecting sunglasses for distribution at Christmas in the northern Ugandan areas where they're working.

Does a pair of sunglasses equate the Gospel? It's the first step. Rouster urges people not to underestimate the value. "It's a very significant gift for them. It's just a way of showing them the love of Jesus, and then at the same time, we will be telling them about Jesus and sharing with the children the reason why He came into the world."

The Every Child Ministries Christmas team will deliver hope and love along with the sunglasses so that these children will understand their value in God's sight.

ECM also hopes to develop sponsorship programs for these Albino children. With a sponsorship, says Rouster, "This will help us to make contact with them and their families. They can go to school and also hear the Gospel regularly."

For example, ECM's sponsored children in the Gayaza project receive educational assistance like school fees, school supplies and uniforms, and they participate in a Saturday meeting. The Saturday meeting includes Bible teaching, discussion of practical life matters, a health check, a vitamin and a nutritious meal.
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Source: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/print.php?id=3330

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Comments

Anonymous said…
I am trying to find an address to mail sunglasses to support this ministry. Is it available?
gloriaj10@windstream.net
Thank you.

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