Faithfully Yours  

             Universal Chastity Education 
             www.uceglobal.org

            E-Newsletter July 2020, Vol. 15  No. 4

Dear UCE Friends & Family,

Warm summer greetings to you! COVID-19 has certainly impacted so many aspects of all of our lives around the world. I hope you and your family are doing well.  I want to share an update with you about UCE by country. I continue to have regular conference calls with Mr. Isaac Lema, UCE Africa Director via "What’s App." Thankfully, COVID-19 infections in Africa were minimal.  Thus far, to our knowledge, no UCE team members have been affected by the COVID-19, but we have these updates to share:

1) UCE-Burundi: Burundi never shut down for the COVID-19 and continued bringing hope and encouragement to students through UCE’s chastity teaching! One testimony from Burundi we received earlier this year comes from student, Eseperence. Her thanks goes to you too! ”Greetings. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the great message you brought us. I have abstained since my childhood but I have never met such a message. It built me and strengthened me. I will not allow anybody to sleep with me until marriage. Thank you for the information on sexually transmitted diseases.” Additionally, Burundi saw a peaceful political election of their new president in May followed by the unexpected, natural death of the previous president just in June. UCE-Burundi outreach 2020 pictured above with Rev. Onesphore, UCE-Burundi Program Coordinator.

2) UCE-Masaka, Uganda: The entire country of Uganda shut down preventing UCE from traveling to schools to conduct educational outreaches. Instead, UCE continued to touch hearts with UCE’s chastity message on the radio. UCE testified how they received many radio calls from individuals and parents thanking them for UCE’s healthy, life-saving message! Uganda is slowly re-opening in phases, but the schools are not yet open. UCE continues its outreach on the radio. Students signing chastity cards during March 2020 outreach pictured right.

3) UCE-Kasese, Uganda: UCE-Kasese also continued outreach via the radio waves during this COVID-19 epidemic. UCE-Kasese also reported thanks from St Kizito school administration who has noted reduced pregnancies after UCE has visited their school regularly (pictured right). Previously their school saw an average of 11 girls drop out of school per year due to early pregnancy which led to decreased enrollment. Earlier this year (just prior to COVID-19 outbreak), the school reported continued appreciation to UCE since their enrollment increased without any pregnancy cases thus far.  Unfortunately, recently a severe flood struck the Kasese region affecting UCE Kasese team members’ homes. We pray for their recovery from this terrible flood. 

4) UCE-Tanzania: Tanzania also experienced a country shut down due to COVID-19 with the exception of churches which were deemed “essential.” In April, the President of Tanzania declared a countrywide “Three days of Prayer” asking his people to pray to God for the healing of this virus. Later, the President of Tanzania declared a countrywide “Three days of Thanksgiving” for how God has successfully interceded for containing this virus in Tanzania.  Just prior to the virus, UCE-Tanzania had reached the “Singida” region of Tanzania with an amazing 24 outreaches where over 10,000 students signed chastity cards (see picture right)!  The teachers and students warmly received the UCE message. As one headteacher proclaimed “This message is from God. Please students live it, you will reach the top of your success and goals as students.”  Thus, during the time of the virus, UCE concentrated on some office work and UCE planning during that time. Some universities have already resumed. Secondary students have resumed classes June 29. 

5) USA: Unfortunately our March 14^th “Chastity Heals” event was abruptly cancelled due to COVID-19.  During that time we worked hard to finish a brand new updated website for UCE. Check it out at www.uceglobal.org and let me know what you think! Additionally, UCE’s 10th Annual UCE Braai fundraiser has been cancelled also due to COVID-19 restrictions.

We depend on, and ask for your continued support for UCE’s programs! Your support allows UCE to bring renewed hope to youth, decrease teen pregnancies, strengthen marriages, and decrease HIV/AIDS/STDs.  Thank you to those of you who have sent in donations this year. For those of you who have never donated or have not yet sent in a donation this year, please kindly consider supporting UCE’s programs! We are also looking for new monthly donors. Even $15/month would be a big help! You can donate online here or via mail at PO BOX 3541 Pueblo, CO 81005. Please also keep UCE in your prayers including the UCE-Kasese team members affected by the recent flooding. Stay healthy and well!

In Christ,

Sarah Smith, USA Director

Donors, we THANK YOU:  500,046 people have made life-saving commitments to chastity through UCE programs!