Lisburn Cathedral was packed on Sunday evening,10th June 2018, as local charity Abaana celebrated their 20th anniversary.
Over the last five years, the Cathedral has developed close links with Abaana, sponsoring several Ugandan children. Also earlier this year a joint CMSI/Abaana team travelled to Uganda to visit a range of Abaana projects. They then moved on to Arua, close to the border with South Sudan, where they worked with Bishop Hilary of Yei and the Church of South Sudan.
Later this summer a young adults team from the Cathedral will also travel to Uganda. On this trip they will help to build a new toilet block at one of the Abaana primary schools. They will also run children’s clubs at three schools and work with street children in Kampala.
Abaana seeks to bring hope to children living in poverty in Uganda. Over the last 20 years, Abaana has built 14 primary schools across Uganda and continues to support the local communities. It also currently provides sponsorship for 1,650 children, enabling them to attend school and obtain an education.
Another key area of work for Abaana is rescuing some of the estimated 6,000 children who live rough on the streets. The children live in Abaana’s New Life Children’s Homes, resume their school education and, where possible, will be reunited with their families.
Abaana celebrated their 20th anniversary at a special anniversary service held in Lisburn Cathedral.
Abaana CEO, Scott Baxter and his team thanked those attending the anniversary service for their kindness and support over the years. He shared stories of some of the children whose lives God has transformed, as they have been able to access formal education and build a new future.
Worship was led by the Cathedral Worship group. Dean Sam Wright led an Act of Commissioning for a number of the summer teams travelling out to work across Abaana’s Uganda projects this summer.
Scott also looked forward to the arrival of the Abaana New Life Children’s Choir in January 2019 for their tour of the UK and Ireland.
For more information on the work of Abaana you can visit their website here. You can also contact the office in Bangor on 02891451918.
