Posted by Anne Lewis on Jul 02, 2021
The Rockport Rotary Club, with matching D7930 grants, has seen to completion the renovation of the House of Joy in the Village2Village Project Children’s Center in northeastern Uganda. The Village2Village Project is a charitable organization based in Indiana and serves children in an area of Uganda where four out of five families live in devastating poverty. Their House of Joy is not only a kitchen but a dining and activity center for nearly 200 children, their families and the community.
 
Rockport Rotary’s first district matching grant in 2019-2020 was designated for complete renovation of the ten year old building.   But significant structural problems were discovered that had to be addressed.  So a second grant in 2020-2021 provided funds for new countertops and cabinets, painting and the purchase of two high efficiency cook stoves, 15 tables and 150 chairs.
 
The House of Joy is now double the original size, more easily cleaned and structurally sound. It has enhanced lighting, arched open air windows and a new paint job inside and out.  Food storage, eating and cooking are much more hygienic. The new Rocket Stoves are 90% fuel efficient and produce little to no indoor smoke.   
 
Today the House of Joy is not only a place to eat but to learn, sing, dance and grow.