The Principle Foundation
U ganda
Project
UPlifting lives one at a time!
SUMMER 2005 NEWSLETTER
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DORSEYS VISIT UGANDA
Partly to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, partly to visit friends, and partly to check on how things were going with the Uganda Project and Albert Baker Fund programs, Nancy and Jim Dorsey spent three weeks in Uganda this summer.
Nancy, the Administrator of UP, gives us this gratifying description:
"Any Christian Scientist would be exhilarated to be here and to see what is going on. The Kampala church is a marvel. There have been 34-35 attendees at the Sunday services (around 20 when we left in 1999). A good number attend a kind of adult Sunday School on Saturday which consists of reading the lesson together in an open forum with questions, discussion, and testimonies of healing, plus sometimes a video from Boston."
"I wish you all could have been there with us to see the number of people in Uganda who are getting Christian Science and using it. To find the words to convey even a part of what is going on is challenging. Some of the stories have a Biblical quality -- people learning to lean on God in VERY difficult circumstances (almost no money to live on, many orphans, hopeless and helpless before CS, but now God supplying whatever is needed)."
The Dorseys found much more traffic in the city of Kampala, and many piki pikis (small motorcycles and scooters which provide cheap transport). Gas is about $4.85 US equivalent per gallon, so auto travel is expensive. The trip to the CS group in Jinja was a hard 2-hour drive in Lamech’s car. Every day was full of activities, as they met with church leaders, students and school officials. At night they tried to catch a few hours of restful sleep under their mosquito net. Jim enjoyed the daily marketing for produce - especially the fresh pineapples and little sweet bananas. There is sunshine every day, but temperatures are pleasant because Kampala is at about 4,000 feet. Because Uganda is near the equator, days and nights are of about equal length.
As Nancy has pointed out before, education is a key factor in developing countries. Therefore support for academic and vocational training is an effective way to move Uganda forward. To give this kind of assistance to those who are genuinely studying Christian Science puts human practicality on a spiritual foundation. You can hardly do better than that!
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SUCCESSFUL GRADUATION
Since Uganda Project has been partnering with the Albert Baker Fund, many more college students have been given grants. ABF pays school fees; UP pays living expenses.
Between January and June of this year, nine students were sponsored at the University of Makerere, and four others at specialized institutions. Several continuing students completed their degrees: Lamech Katamba (postgraduate diploma in Micro- Finance), Margaret Namubiru (MA Education - Economics/Religion), James Kasozi (BS in Computer Science), Douglas Kaziro (BA in Development Studies).
In our last newsletter you read about Olivia Talemwa, an outgoing young woman who graduated with honors last spring (Urban Planning degree). She has a job for the next year working on a research project run by the University of California, San Francisco. At 23, she is head of her family, taking care of four younger siblings.
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PERSISTENCE REWARDED
Kenny Ssali is Margaret Namubiru’s older brother. He will start at Makerere University this fall, at the age of 27, studying Sociology. Many years ago, Kenny dropped out of high school because his Mom (single parent with 4 kids) had no money for his fees. He found a job as a farm worker. The owner was a difficult man who treated his workers harshly. Kenny was given a place to stay, a little food, and a small salary. He worked hard, was honest, cheerful and uncomplaining.
During this time, he began to study Christian Science. He had his books, and he had God. He was discovering the Truth and learning how to put it into practice. He asked the owner for some time off on Sundays so he could attend the CS church. The farmer finally agreed, and Kenny used his little bit of money to pay for transport. The farmer’s wife noticed Kenny’s good qualities and came to ask him about himself. She found out that he really wanted to finish high school. Since she owned a private secondary school, she allowed Kenny to attend for two years at no cost! In this way, he completed his education, eight years after dropping out. Now he can attend college.
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CHURCH PROGRESS
Ten years ago when the Dorseys first went to Uganda, there was a small CS Society in Kampala. Services were held at a YMCA complex near Makerere University, a good site for attracting educated young people. Over the years, a number of young men and women began to attend regularly. They were mostly students and recent graduates. These genuine students of Christian Science formed a lively, active church. Many of them have had Class Instruction in Africa.
All the elders of the church are under 30 and met with Nancy Dorsey during her recent visit to discuss how to strengthen their church. After one of the Sunday services there was a time for testimonies. Several people told about overcoming "old beliefs". Jackson believed since he was a child that he could not eat anything connected with water like fish. He now eats anything freely. Lamech believed as a child that playing in the rain would make him sick. When he studied Christian Science, he was free of this fear and the sickness. Jacque was afraid of the dark, but no more. She also learned that God does not punish. Others described how financial needs were met and told about healings of stomach problems and headaches.
Transportation costs make a mid-week service impractical, so testimonies are often shared during the Saturday or Sunday sessions. The average Sunday collection is the equivalent of about $1.80. Most individuals donate about 6–12 cents each week. Many members spend more on transport than they can afford to put into the collection bag. Many travel long distances on foot. Similar economic conditions in other developing countries have prompted the CS Publishing Society to provide literature at virtually no cost to these groups.
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CHRISTAN SCIENCE GROUP IN JINJA
Over the last several years, UP has given assistance to many people who are part of the Christian Science group in Jinja, a small town about 60 miles outside Kampala. Alex Baraza, the father of four girls, has been active in CS since he was healed of alcoholism and depression some years ago by reading Science and Health.
Nancy Dorsey recalls a special moment when a lovely teenage girl, his oldest daughter, Oliver, spoke to her after church and asked for a copy of “the book about omnipotent good. Of course it was Science & Health. She said her Dad had been violent, but after he read that book, they had peace at home. She couldn't read it herself because her father wouldn’t give it up, so she wanted her own copy. Now, her sisters have read Science & Health and have experienced healings. Maureen is in a nursery school training program funded by ABF and UP is funding her younger sisters in high school.
Nancy realized that the Christian Science group in Jinja needs some help in organizing regular services and establishing bylaws. She has arranged for some of the elders of the Kampala Society to travel to Jinja during the next few months to provide encouragement and assistance. UP funds will cover their transportation costs.
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UPDATE ON JACKSON
In the last newsletter we described the experiences of Jackson Kuteesa as he studied automotive mechanics in Germany. His CS friends in Germany gave him a keyboard and he is learning how to play it. Since returning to Uganda, UP has given him a grant to study piano. Jackson is the church soloist. He also plays guitar and has recorded a CD.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
In addition to monetary donations, there are several areas of need:
1. Used books: Copies of the Bible and Science and Health (not paperback) with markers that fit. Prose Works paperback accepted.
All books should be in reasonably good condition: all pages intact. Some marking is acceptable. Sets of markers and some odd markers will be put to good use. We do not send Full-Text Quarterlies since we encourage all students to be familiar with the real books.
2. Used CS Hymnals: If you send hymnals, please call or email Nancy Dorsey so we can keep track of the number sent. They need about 50 or 60 total.
3. Used adult clothing in good condition and appropriate for a warm climate. People do need light jackets or sweaters. Shoes would be prized. Thrift store clothing is just fine.
A variety of sizes would be useful. The church has an innovative way to distribute fairly to all members. For more information, call or email Nancy Dorsey.
Mailing suggestions: Heavy boxes of books can be sent more cheaply by using the "M Bag" system at the post office. (Call ahead to check requirements - there is a minimum of 11 pounds.) Be sure all boxes are very strong and taped securely. Duct tape or strapping tape works well. (Such boxes go by sea and get tossed around by large gorillas, it seems!)
On the required customs form, mark as USED BOOKS or USED CLOTHING. NO RESALE VALUE.
Send all boxes to:
Christian Science Society
P. O. Box 21838
Kampala, Uganda
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This newsletter shows the gratifying results achieved through the unselfish donations of many individuals. Because of their generosity, UP is currently supporting many deserving people with educational grants and occasional help with small business ventures.
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Last updated: 10/14/5.
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