you did it for me
Little Angels; a light in the darkness
It’s another muggy predawn on the equator, as children young as six trudge miles down the dusty dirt roads from their local villages and mud huts to the Central Region Ugandan municipality of Nkokonjeru.
The children make this daily trek so they can attend one of the schools in town. Even discounting the trucks and mini-buses flying by in the pitch dark, it’s still a major challenge.
In 1996 Uganda instituted Universal Primary Education (UPE), supposedly making primary school free for everyone. But even free is insurmountable for countless families, many who subsist on a dollar or less a day, as there are still pencils, exercise books, school clothing, lunch, and other expenses.
In addition, a large number of children, orphaned by HIV/AIDS, are cared for by relatives, straining family budgets past the breaking point.
Gender challenges, child labor, early marriage, an absence of motivated teachers, a lack of parental awareness, and the grinding poverty makes the education of Ugandan youth an almost overwhelming proposition. Many children are forced to drop out of school before completing primary school, to say nothing of continuing on to secondary school.
The lack of education dragging Uganda down creates a vicious cycle on a country of 41 million, the youngest on the planet with a median age of 16.
Into the void came Little Angels Catholic Primary School in Nkokonjeru, founded by Margaret Nakirijja the same year UPE was put in place. Starting with a handful of students and a few walls, with the goal of providing an “excellent Catholic and affordable primary school” education, Little Angels has been a shining light in the darkness.
Officially affiliated with the Lugazi Diocese and guided by the Department of Catholic Schools in Uganda, Little Angels has grown to 559 students, about equally divided between boys and girls, from grades P1 to P7.
Partnered with Caritas for Children, the students are thriving. Currently, 46 of the children at Little Angels have Caritas sponsors, the school is highly ranked on annual national exams and as many as 96% of the students continue on to secondary school, most to St. Peter’s Secondary School in Nkokonjeru.
According to Madam Margaret, Caritas has been an invaluable resource to Little Angels.
Through the ongoing one-on-one relationship between a sponsor and a child, the invaluable gift of education and consistent daily nutrition makes it possible for orphans and the very poor to maximize their potential.
With continuing and consistent sponsorship income, Little Angels is growing and raising the standard of living for the children, their families, and the surrounding area.
Margaret is enthused and encouraged by the long-range outlook, and is committed to building “more classrooms, a new latrine, boarding dormitories, and teachers’ quarters”.
Margaret says, “I have bought land across the road so that when I have sufficient funds we can start building and expanding” and added, “I would also like to start a partnership with a local computer lab so our students can start to learn computer skills.”
Little Angels motto of “We are the Future of Tomorrow” is being played out, each day, every day, through the joyous faces of the children, being loved and educated through a Caritas heart.
If you’d like to help make a difference, one child at a time, check it out. http://caritas.us/
Uganda again, God willing
When we left our Uganda home in April of 2016, our main reason was Bonnie’s health and the need to have treatment back in the USA.
Ten months later, after a second melanoma surgery, other tests, and regular dermatologist exams, we feel well enough to look at our options going forward.
We told those we left behind, as well as those making queries here in America, that only a miracle would get us back to Uganda.
The simple matter of living in America, even in a travel trailer, takes up much of our monthly retirement incomes. Add in medical bills not covered by insurance, and the cost for two plane tickets plus airfare for our small dogs, and you kind of catch the drift.
God works in mysterious ways, and we feel there were numerous reasons we had to return to the States when we did. A lot of situations came up over the past ten months that would have been all but impossible to deal with had we been living on the other side of the planet.
We were so blessed to be in Uganda, and learned so much from our time there.
We feel we still have much to offer, with the right opportunity, and have not given up on returning to Uganda to work in some capacity.
God willing. 🙏🏻
I yam what I yam…
Yesterday I had someone claim I wasn’t their kind of American.
I LOLed because it’s amazing to me how people who don’t know you can pigeonhole you based on something as inconsequential (in a non swing state) as your vote for President.
Nazi! Racist! Sexist! Misogynist! Etc, etc, etc.
I’m nowhere near perfect but, among other things, adopted five Native American children, was the foster Father for twenty-five children over a ten year period, fed the homeless in downtown Fort Worth for a number of years, moved to Africa to work with special needs children and adults, and continue to seek my life’s path and ways to make a small difference in the world.
I’m a Marine, a Catholic, a federal retiree, and an American. I’m a husband, a father, grandfather, uncle, brother and cousin.
I’d say I’m artistic, as photography is definitely art, and a male model when I was younger (photographic proof attached).
I’m a traveler, an observer, a full time RVer, and the world’s greatest marshmallow cooker.
I’m a bit opinionated, demonstrate some borderline Aspergers tendencies, and am dealing, though the miracles of modern medicine, with a variety of health issues.
I’m concerned about the genocide of abortion, about illegal immigration, about open borders, about a lack of decent jobs, about how entitled and whiny a good segment of society is, about the lack of respect for differences of opinion, and about the attack on religion.
I’m concerned with the rising cost of living; and how my retirement seems to not stretch far enough each month.
If I’m not your kind of American, I guess I don’t know what kind of American you think I am…or should be? Perhaps it’s you who should look in the mirror?
Hungering for attention and an education
We’ve got a drum (hey, it’s Africa!) and one of the boys found a handmade ukulele sort of instrument, so I was plucking away while “singing” My Darling Clementine and other hits I sang to my kids while they were growing up.
Bonnie is shown, rubbing Florence’s back. Florence has an ouchie on her thumb and Bonnie has been treating it with Neosporin. We took Florence to the hospital next door and it ended up being a fungal infection, which we’re treating.
We turned the Technic set over to the older boys and told them to go at it. The set has been sitting in the same place for more than nine months, and it was time it got some use.
Less of an issue than originally thought
I’ll be visiting with Sr. Cleophus, the Administrator of the Mother House compound, to try to formulate some type of action plan.
The future of the Church
Mission Musings
By Bonnie…
January 10, 2016
For the Grace to see you in each one I encounter today
For the strength to always seek Thy will
For the courage to leave behind everything just for the sake of serving
You called me
You led me
You strengthen me
For without you I can do nothing
I am nothing
Fill me up Holy Spirit with your guidance, comfort and courage.
Feeling like the Old Testament psalmists this morning; weak but sure in the knowledge God will not abandon me.
Last night, feeling lonely, missing my little dogs, curled up in bed, sleepy and listening to Wayne pack his carry on and backpack.
Thinking about the incredible event at the end of Mass, when the entire congregation rose, outstretched hands, as we were blessed, sprinkled with Holy Water, and given plain wooden crosses to proudly wear. We were commissioned by St Peter’s The Apostle Church to go forth and evangelize, to spread the word of God in Africa.
Two thousand years of Church history in front of us last night, all around us like the original disciples sent to teach and preach and bring truth to God’s children.
Oh what a sinner I am. How could it be me? I am not worthy to gather up the crumbs or as Saint John the Baptizer said, “There is one greater than I and I am not worthy to unlatch his sandals.
Our worthiness has nothing to do with our calling. We can never be good enough or holy enough.
Thinking God has a great sense of humor because He loves the least of us so very much. Some of the greatest sermons I have heard were in a soup kitchen or the Alzheimer’s ward.
I am still me; vain, proud, silly but, different somehow this morning. A little weepy, very humbled and in awe of what we are doing. At the same time I am feeling o.k. with it all.
Asking for the wisdom and grace to “preach the Gospel and sometimes use words”.
From Bonnie…
Since returning from our Uganda trip in June we have had two face to face meetings with Catholic religious, some who have spent more than 37 years serving in Africa. Their suggestions have been invaluable.
We have also had a Skype meeting with two workers from Caritas for Children. Colleen and Chris have actually been working with The Little Sisters of Saint Francis for over nine years in Nkokenjeru.
And yesterday we had an hour teleconference with a Maryknoll Priest who has spent 47 years in Kenya and who is well-acquainted with the Little Sisters of St Francis.
Everyone has given us books to read and articles to study and lots of practical advice.
The main thought is trying to help us avoid the mistakes they might have made, always remembering to “do no harm” and respect the Ugandan culture.
For sure Wayne and I will be changed but that isn’t why we are going!
We are going to help the Ugandans become more self-sufficient so that when we leave or die, they are able to take what we have experienced together and continue onward and upward.
We each have a list of short term goals and long term goals to share with Sister Angeline and see how those goals fit in with her vision for the future of Providence Home.
I hope to set up a scholarship fund for students who wish to major in occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology or special needs instructors. These no interest loans would require the students to live and work at Providence Home during breaks and fulfill an internship requirement.
Of course there is always God’s will to be done, and we constantly ask for the wisdom and grace to “preach the Gospel and sometimes use words”.
The gospel on five fingers
Mother Teresa always told her sisters to remember the “Gospel on Five Fingers.” She would say the words, “You did it for Me,” as she held up each finger of her hand. These words come from the Judgment of the Nations (Matthew 25:31-46) where Jesus tells us that we will be judged by how we treated those who were thirsty or hungry or sick.
I never tire of sharing this message, as it’s one of our primary reasons for moving to Uganda. We’ve also said what we’re doing is not unique or special, as what we’re doing is something anyone could do. But most people are not in the same position as we are; retired, healthy, and no children at home. We have few physical possessions and a desire to do more.
We’re also some of the best (or worst, depending on your perspective) sinners in the world. Moving to Uganda doesn’t change who were are. But if we can help one child, and then another, and then another, we hope to be living out the gospel of Matthew 25.
God has lessons to teach us in Uganda
A friend who has spent many months in Uganda and learned many life lessons told me, “You think you are going to care for the children but you are going because God has lessons for you”.
Patience and being present are two lessons for sure.
If I spend an hour rocking a child and giving her my undivided attention then that is what I need to be doing.
If a planned project with adult special needs class goes south then I have to be flexible, patient and happy to just sit on the floor and sing songs or let them teach me songs.
When I am rushing somewhere all hot and sweaty I need to take the time to squat down and hug a child, make eye contact and let them know they are loved.
The big lesson for me might be none of what we do in Uganda is about us!
Which Way? Our Way! 