Good News on the Horizon

During a trip to Gulu/Atiak, with a Non-Profit called Pros for Africa, I met the man in charge of starting a massive school called Cornerstone. They have schools all around Uganda and have demonstrated perfectly how to successfully adjust to a change in need. This man started the school after visiting Uganda over twenty years ago and saw how war and AIDS had devastated educational opportunities (among other things), and how many children and orphans in the country were affected. As time progressed, that aspect of war changed the need to Ugandan youth lacking education geared on character building, leadership and post-educational opportunity. Cornerstone gives many scholarship opportunities to students who have finished Primary School, and also offers other levels of education at the best price the country has to offer. Upon returning to Ndejje I’ve met with him and we’ve discussed possible avenues for a partnership, or realistic opportunities for those at our school to continue their education. Jacques has already contacted him regarding a couple girls that have the grades and the drive, so I’m very hopeful that this will turn into something very positive.

Also, Lisa and I have been speaking with a man at the nearby Muslim Secondary School (which happens to own the soccer pitch we play on), and have lent out equipment to his girls squad that he’s entered into FUFA’s (Uganda’s soccer governing body) league for girls. Since we have the equipment but lack the space and they have the space but lack the equipment, I’m thinking it to be the perfect match. He’s really focused on improving the football program they have for their girls and is hoping Lisa and I could help out. We’re hoping that this would mean the inclusion of our girls in this situation (as well as a more liberal agreement with the use of the field) and in essence create a sustainable environment and friendship for the equipment, space and community. This is the sort of thing that will really jumpstart the community center. He is very keen on this idea as well and anxious for it to be put into motion. On that note, Jacques believes that construction of the new building (which will be connected to the center for one half of the nursery to move into) will be able to begin as soon as this week! Which means hopefully by the time Lisa and I leave (June 16) we will be able to have started programs and gotten the outer community to be a part of its creation.

Lastly, a great organization I found out about (also while on my trip with Pros for Africa) that makes water filters (think a giant straw that cleans the water as you drink it) is looking to potentially sponsor 200 of these straws for HOPE. I’m hoping Water Is Life comes through, because with an average of six children missing school daily due to bad water this is something that I think should be a priority.

The power has just gone out again, so this will have to be a brief post. Thanks for reading!