I was blessed to be home in Uganda this past winter. It had been over six years since I was with my family for Christmas. It was such a joy to see everyone and celebrate the birth of The Lord Jesus Christ together. So much has changed in Uganda. I was impressed with the developments in the cities but at the same time saddened to see so much poverty chewing away people in rural areas like my own village. But overall people are working hard to lift themselves out of poverty. I am very hopeful for my motherland that one day every child will be able to receive a good education and no child will have to raise other children.

     It was amazing to see the progress that has been made with the school construction and related programs. I had seen neither the school nor the kids in the after-school program before. Much of the knowledge I had of the programs was through phone updates and pictures. So much is to be credited to our ground crew, Peter, Adrian, and Fred. They have invested a lot of energy and time to make our programs prosper. They show a true spirit of service to the community. 

    The international volunteers have played a phenomenal role in the growth of these programs. Volunteers teach students from backgrounds ranging from kindergarten to high school. The program also involves youth who have dropped out of school. The famous entrepreneurship and computer training classes are among the unique courses offered at Hope Integrated Academy which students  would otherwise not receive at their regular schools. A survey conducted at the end of the year revealed that there is much improvement in the performance of students participating in the after-school program. Parents are giving very positive feedback about the program. Volunteers visit every student’s home through the family outreach program to gain a better sense of the student’s needs and determine how best to help that student.  

      The Youth camp for kids 13 years and above took place on January 11-13th and it was a success. Topics included HIV/AIDS awareness/prevention, sex education, family life/gender roles, and future planning. Other activities included a debate, drumming, dance, movie, and soccer. This was a very new experience for them. It was an experience of learning and fun.

       We finished roofing the second half of the 14 room school building. Many thanks to our generous donors. Two rooms have been fully completed and furnished to house the community library and computer center. Students hunger for knowledge and education. There is an urgent need for a community resource center where students and teachers can access reading materials and computer technology.      

There is an urgent need for a community resource center where students and teachers can access reading materials and computer technology.  After this observation we had to give priority to the computer center and library. However, there is need for more computers and text books.

     The much anticipated vocational school is expected to open by end of this summer. Due to limited resources, programs in computer skills, tailoring, carpentry, brick laying and concrete and hair dressing will be offered. Other courses will be added gradually.

     I had the opportunity to spend some time with the kids from the orphanage and get to know them better. It was quite an experience having 15 kids at mom’s house for four days. It felt like the old days when all of us seven children used to run around at the home. It was a great joy for the family to be able to share our home and resources with the children who have been denied the love of a caring mom and dad by AIDS and other unimaginable circumstances.

     Thanks to several donors, we were able to provide school supplies for the kids and various other basics they needed. A cattle and pig project have been started as a move toward self-sustenance of the orphanage. One cow was obtained. The children will be able to get milk and also income from sale of excess milk.

     Contributions of any kind to aid children in Uganda are welcome. They can be made to Uganda Rural Fund USA, Inc, a 501(c)(3) charity, and mailed to the abbey Address. Online at:  www.ugandaruralfund.org  and www.hopeacademyuganda.org
         Thanks and God bless you!

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