Join Us in Building a School for Rural Uganda

“SCHOOL RAISING”

Imagine truly making an impactful difference together with others to build a primary school for rural villages in Eastern Uganda. The area is Butebo district-Kakoro subcounty-Tekuma parish-Bukomolo village.

Why invest in this cause? It is simply because the need is so great. And we also know the benefits go both ways as we give. There are many committed local parents and teachers who already are working hard to make education a reality for their children, as volunteers, even though they lack resources.

My name is Cindy. I am a retired preschool teacher who lives in Southern California. I met Pastor John Kuika Muwanguzi through a zoom biblical study group. He was sharing and had said his 13 year old daughter Mercy needed some treatments for an eye condition that affected her studies. He had bought her glasses, but it wasn’t enough. I thought well I could help out with that. They were extremely grateful to receive the funds! This began my relationship with the family, a grandmother, his wife and their 6 children. Pastor John sent pics/videos and we have live video chats on Whatsap, as he does have an iphone. I began to slowly learn about their village life in Bukomolo and surrounding villages.

Pastor John is a formidable figure throughout his local region. He has a passion for the people of his community along with knowing how hard work with others can accomplish many great things. His many involvements besides his pastoral work include implementation and cultivating a rental property farming 3 acres, and starting a sewing business for local women. In short I want to highlight Pastor John’s continuing work to support his community.

• Oversees 18 area churches with 5 Pastors

• Leading a local community church

• Developed year round farming of 3 acres, 2 support family and provide employment and 1 acre provides for indigent woman/children/widows

• Began tailoring business providing ongoing training and a means for women to make a living

• Teams in organization of a local school which is the focus for this fund raising

The backstory of Pastor John is one of hardship and faith. He gives his mother credit for “faith to provide”. He has known the struggle of survival as a young child. His father died when he was 11 and since that time he and his mother scraped by. They had a small plot of land for a home and a garden. While the inheritance should have been secure, their rightful other acres of land were illegally taken. A widow is especially vulnerable to this kind of violation plus much more. This is not an uncommon occurrence of corrupt practices in government, law and religious conflict. Their house later on was also in jeopardy, but through a long legal process was settled in their favor.

Women are taken advantage of in numerous ways especially in rural areas. They have continued to be oppressed, lack education and have limited opportunities to become independent. Pastor John is dedicated to see the advancement for women’s equality and empowerment. He began the tailoring business in 2008 and currently has 43 women in training with 7 sewing machines enabling the woman to sell their products in local markets.

It’s hard to imagine the way people are living in a developing country, especially rural areas. In rural Uganda homes can be thatched roofs with dirt floors, no running water, electricity, no bathrooms. Women travel great distances to obtain water. Education is limited and poverty the norm. Young women are often left alone to raise their children. There are few healthcare clinics to provide for the needs of the area. Malaria and Typhoid are typical and can be life threatening. There are seasons of drought, storms and flooding which wipe away crops and destroy structures.

So every place in the world has various problems to overcome. On the positive side the country of Uganda is said to be one of the most friendly and welcoming people anywhere. While they face adversity they are a people rich in community. They are strong, resilient, motivated and resourceful. They abound in faith and hope, leading full and purposeful lives.

So here we are to how we can help and make a difference. What is most needed? Why is a school needed? In many regions of Uganda there is religious conflict between Muslims and Christians. Within the governmental systems there is wide spread corruption. Allegiances, authority through favors, bribes, and money wield the power.

Here is the story behind why these area villages have pioneered to start their own school with only the resources of themselves.

The school that was available to the children was Islamic. Many of the children’s families were Christian. The Christian families were pressured and threatened to convert. There were incidences of beatings within families over these religious differences. The children were denied lunch, mistreated, ridiculed, bullied and endured punishments. When parents confronted these abuses the school left them with no alternative, but to leave the school.

Their school “Bright Star”, representing about 450 children, ages 3-15 is functioning through volunteers assisting in any way they can, the church or families donating food for instance. They have a rental of 2 classrooms and 1 small storage/office room. The youngest children are instructed outside under the mango tree. Oluka Peter is the Director who has a degree in Education. There are 8 teachers, 5 men and 3 women all who have experience and certifications.

Pastor John and I researched many types of world and local organizations, governmental, non-profits and religious that could assist in bringing resources to the school and water to their community, yet coming up dead-ended. That is when I thought about the possibility of a GoFundMe platform. I had never done anything like this before nor collaborated with people so far away living in a developing country. We have thought a lot about it, in a broad way, in details, in imaging what it means for the future of this community. We are stepping out on a hope and a prayer and remain flexible to see the shape it may take, which ultimately will be in the hands of the local people. Some of what the requests are that they need to have at least another classroom. The director would like to have 200 uniforms for the students. Pastor John says his tailoring business could offer to make them. They can buy much of the materials like curriculum books, notebooks, chalkboards, paper, pencils, crayons, desks, benches, manipulatives and recreational materials etc. from the larger town, Mbale. Seeing children walk many miles to school providing breakfast and lunch is another foundational piece. Items purchased would be at the discretion of the school staff team.

We are setting a goal of $5,000. Even $5 toward making a contribution can result in a successful campaign. We ask you to say, Why not—I can do this too! Thank you for listening to this story. We plan to keep you updated on our progress together! I will of course be completely transparent about the banking and transference of funds. Please join us in this worthy endeavor. For me it is a good feeling to know we can make a real difference in peoples’ lives needing our outstretched arms and hands. Many Thanks!

Blessings. Shalom. Shalom.

Pastor John and Cindy