The new year at Hope Community Clinic has started well, with Hellen taking over from Julius as the Clinical Officer in charge.  Helen has been working at the clinic for over a year and provides excellent holistic care to her patients as well as conscientious oversight of the clinic team and activities. She has been joined by new Clinic Officer Muramye Godwin, who is settling in well.The team and the community really appreciated the care and support that they received from Julius, the previous Clinical Officer in charge. He took the clinic from strength to strength during his time in charge, leaving it only when full maternity services were established. The team held a farewell party to thank him and wish him well in his future career.

These photos show Godwin, the new Clinical Officer, the farewell cake cutting with Julius and the lovely nurse and midwifery team at the weekly baby immuisation clinic which continues to be very busy.

We have received some wonderful news this week which has demonstrated the blessing that the new maternity unit has become to the Rwentobo community. On the night of 9th February, 26yr old Claire gave birth to a beautiful baby girl weighing 3.2kg.  This birth was all the more precious as this was Claire's second pregnancy, but sadly her first baby was stillborn. She was delivered by midwives Brenda and Damary, who is shown here supporting Claire with breastfeeding.  The blanket that the baby is wrapped in was left by the mission team last year in anticipation of forthcoming births.  We are so grateful to God and to all those who contributed towards making this vision a reality. The costs of the first two births will be covered in full by Mission Rwentobo and the money raised by the TBC Christmas card appeal will enable us to subsidise costs for future maternity care.

News items to share from the clinic team are that nursing assistant, Diana, left in December in order to pursue full time training at Kisiizi Hospital to become a qualified enrolled nurse, as the government is phasing out the level of nurse assistant.  Diana's training will take about 2.5 years after which she may return to the clinic if there is a need.  She requires some financial support with her training so, if anyone would like to contribute, please let us know.  Meanwhile enrolled midwife, Shafrah, who was previously working on a voluntary basis at the clinic, is now employed full time having completed an update at Kisiizi Hospital to gain more experience with baby deliveries.It is always good to share some of the joys of the clinic team. At the end of December the laboratory technician, Abel, married Sheila and Nurse Martha is looking forward to her traditional giveaway ceremony on 21st February. May God bless these unions.

Please pray for:

• Guidance for Mission Rwentobo trustees as we seek to plan a support strategy and budget for clinic activities in 2026.
• Good communication with the management team at Kisiizi Hospital who supervise the clinic.
• For the numbers of people using the clinic for general healthcare and maternity care to increase, through increased awareness.
• For uptake of the kisiizi Cooperative health insurance scheme to increase so that the care becomes more affordable to those in need.  
• For the clinic team to continue to work well together under Hellen's leadership.

Finally, on behalf of the trustees of Mission Rwentobo and all the clinic team, thank you for your prayers and financial support which are literally saving lives.Love and blessings for you and yours in 2026.Debbie Burke (chairperson for Mission Rwentobo)