2007 was a good year for Fields of Life.  We have to thank God for the growth, prosperity and blessings that have arrived at our door.  New projects have come to us tentatively as possibilities.   These projects have been sown as seeds, and although sowed, will need to be nurtured vigorously to reach fruition going forward and beyond to 2009. 

There have been some staff changes, but even these have resulted in blessings which have opened doors for not only those moving on and requiring change, but for those who have been welcomed into our FOL family:

Denise Kane has moved from the Northern Ireland office to join the office in Uganda.  We are so pleased to have Denise’s skills and experience remain with us to further enrich our staff capability.

Additionally, in Uganda, Bernard Masaba was employed to fulfil the role of Educational Adviser for FOL.  The need for the Educational Adviser role was identified during the first Head Teachers Conference where sixty FOL schools were represented from many East African locations. The main theme of the conference was excellence in education, with a focus on leadership and management, establishment of standards, as well as accountability and positive behaviour management. The conference was encouraging for participants in terms of sharing their joys and challenges. However, in response to the request from the Head Teachers, the need for a FOL Educational Adviser was noted and identified as a reasonable solution to certain issues which arose at the conference.

Sharon McKimm joins us as a new member of staff.  For my sins, Sharon will work with me on the website redesign, fundraising development and monitoring, as well as taking on the more onerous administrative headaches.  We all wish Sharon luck with nurturing the website and bringing structure into our fundraising activities.I pointed out to you in my last note that growth can result in issues which can rise up to impede our progress as a vibrant organisation. At that time, we had completed a significant strategy meeting.  Currently, I write to you on the verge of yet another significant strategy meeting.  Many will note improvement in the challenging areas identified last year: IT, communications, structure, appraisal, finance and volunteers. 

As a result of last year’s meeting, we appointed an Administrative Officer.  At the moment, Claire Andrews is very ably handling this role and facilitating the administration and efficient running of the Northern Irish office.  She has been joined and is reporting to Stephen Blevins, our new Irish Operations Manager.  In the area of volunteers, our Volunteer Officer, Louise Clarke, has been busy working with those who are interested in assisting us in our work.   As a team, I feel that FOL has risen to the challenge and is taking these organisational hurdles in stride. Well done to the FOL team!In addition, it is with great enthusiasm that I mention that a new office located in the south of Dublin nas been opened.  We feel that this is just one logical step in Fields of Life’s progression. Indeed, Fields of Life has much with which to thank our benevolent God as He implements his plan for our organisation and lights our way forward.  We continue to strive to make a difference, not only in East Africa where we continue to build and seek to minister to those we can help effectively, but here in Ireland where it is essential to communicate the need we encounter.  The reality of the lack of education is not a sound-bite issue which presents itself on our local news.  However, it is a reality which defines the existence of some East Africans.  When I read a handwritten letter from a child who thanks their sponsor for a pair of shoes or for the payment of school fees, I realise how these things define a child’s life and ensures the possibilities that reflects within their eyes are realised and do not die a sorrowful death. 

Fields of Life attempts to rise to the challenge and fulfil this need, whether it manifests itself by providing primary and secondary schools, health clinics, water, or income generating projects. This is a grave responsibility that the FOL staff considers a sanctified mission.  It is a Christian mission which we hope to fulfil in some shape or form.  To those of you who continue to support Fields of Life, I wish to extend our gratitude once again.  We can not make such wonderful strides forward without you, and we grow and build in accordance with your concern and support.  God bless.

Sincerely,

Trevor