There are SO many praises related to the school building and facilities. The number of miracles since 2018 goes on and on. Larry and I were there to witness the "finishing" of the building in 2018 with the inside floor. That meant it was ready for occupancy. Since then and through the support of so many of you, the building was plastered on the inside and outside (preserves the bricks), added a concrete veranda (a transition from the dirt to the inside of the building), added windows (prevents the rain from coming in), and we added desks, benches, and so much more.
The above photo shows the building and property today with additional outside spaces to separate the various classes along with the cleared corn field for the new playground equipment.
The playground equipment - Larry and I were with Pastor Peter when we visited the seller who makes this equipment. Pastor Peter purchased two pieces with the funds sent by Lake Union. Because of theft and mistreatment by others outside of the school, we purchased items (poles, wire, cement) for a fence around the playground. Men clearing the area, digging holes for the poles, helping set up the equipment, and the children excitedly watching were all pretty cool! What is a school without a playground? Check out these videos of Siloam preparing the location, digging holes for the fence around the equipment, and the new swingset (1 of 2 pieces of playground equipment.
Looks great, Peter!
Digging holes...
Students enjoying swingset!
Pit Latrine - This is the third pit latrine Larry and I have been involved in constructing since first helping Peter in 2016. So, I tend to not get too excited about these functional, yet needed, structures. However, I have to tell you that this new one is wonderful! A rectangle tank was installed in the ground along with a pit and piping which means it can be pumped out when needed. It works just like a septic tank. And the building over the tank is great with six stalls: 2 for the girls, 2 for the boys, and 2 for staff. With ~120 students and 12 staff, this is an important facility and will get a lot of use! Larry and I were excited that this pit latrine is built for long-term life and should have no issues! Check out these videos where Pastor Peter gives a tour of the new facility.
Water Barrel - The new pit latrine needed to be located where the water barrel was originally placed. It will be relocated to a new foundation after the completion of the pit latrine.
Teachers - What is a school without teachers? The teachers are near and dear to our hearts, and we spend plenty of time with them to hear their stories. They love the children, appreciate the sponsors, and are passionate about changing the life of each child. We asked the teachers what they wanted or needed, and they asked for "uniforms" and you can see we purchased matching polos with the Siloam logo on it. They loved them! And Pastor Peter arranged with a carpenter to build a shelf unit where they could put their textbooks and a display board.
A new administrator - Pastor Peter and I interviewed candidates for a new administrator position at Siloam. This individual will work closely with Pastor Peter on student assessment at Siloam as well as many other things along with us here at Lake Union Church regarding the sponsor program. We are super excited about this and look forward to the communication that will come from the new administrator, Martha Gamwino, to our sponsors. Exciting!
Students/laptops - A nonprofit organization (in Texas) donated four refurbished laptops and many of you donated more along with iPads. The school now offers a class in computer training!
Pencils, pens, soccer balls, and eyeglasses - This blog isn't complete without mentioning the little (big to them) items that were the frosting on the cake. Pencils, pens, soccer balls, and eyeglasses were cheered when provided! It's funny. Before our luggage arrived (5 days after our arrival), the teachers asked for new soccer balls and we had three to give them!
All these words on this blog seem trivial compared to us being there and experiencing gratitude for the relationship and support of their needs. I wish I could bottle that and give it to each of you!
Here are a few videos of the pit latrine and installation of the playground equipment and fence. Enjoy!
Saying goodbye - It was hard to leave so many friends who we have come to know and love! Thank you, Pastor Peter, for your tireless work to help the children and youth of Siloam! You are indeed a voice for the voiceless. Thank you for loving us!
They poured in, mamas, their children, and their stories. Heartbreaking stories in their words and on their faces. Larry and I took photos and videos each time we were at the Siloam School to advocate for sponsors for the upcoming students.
Word got out to the community, and orphaned children (the dad has left or died) came to get their photos taken in the hopes they might get a sponsor. Otherwise, they cannot afford school and cannot attend. Widowed or divorced women are left to support their children, and they labor wherever possible to provide food for the family. It is a hard life, and this is said by Ugandans. We in American would not understand how hard their life is. Larry and I did not have the heart to tell the mothers of hundreds of children that there was little hope since we were focused on the students already attending Siloam who were struggling financially to attend. We listened, hugged them, held their hand, and took their information and photo. And we pray.
The good news. Pastor Peter, Larry, and I met with the sponsored students in nursery and primary at Siloam. We also traveled to the high schools and vocational schools where many of our sponsored students are now attending. We were SO encouraged by the school directors and our sponsored students who are attending. Because the fees are paid for our sponsored students, the high schools and vocational schools are able to press our students to do well since they are there every day and do not have to worry about being sent home if their fees are not paid. Consistent attendance and lack of pressure as to paid fees result in students studying hard and doing well.
We heard over and over again that a youth in Uganda who finishes high school or vocational school will have a better life. And many of our students are bright enough that going on for more courses after high school will assure them of an even brighter future through a good job.
Big picture. Half of all children in Uganda do not finish primary and secondary school. The unemployment rate in Uganda is 21%. A high school education or completion of vocational school is critical in getting a paying job. In many cases, a student must continue on after high school with courses to obtain meaningful employment. The population is dense, 43.3 million people in a country slightly larger than the state of New York. Uganda takes in more refugees than any other country in Africa. Many are from the Congo or South Sudan due to intense fighting in their country.
Interested in sponsoring a student? The cost is small, $25/month, and the reward is high...both for you and for your student. Larry and I will share videos and updates to each sponsor about their student. We met with almost every Siloam student while in Uganda, and their story of going from hopelessness to a life and future of hope is something we cannot fully comprehend in this country. Their gratefulness is beyond measure. The idea that someone cares and shows it by supporting their education is tangibly powerful to them.
When you sponsor a student, you help many! 100% of your support goes to the school and supports teachers/staff salaries, student expenses and utilities. The family of your student does not have to worry about paying fees each month. Change one life; change many.
I am working on getting the next three students needing a sponsor on the Lake Union Church website, https://www.lakeunionchurch.org/page/siloam-uganda-partnership. The student currently shown is now sponsored! You can contact me directly at shererlynette@gmail.com if you prefer.
We all have a story, and that story is unique to each of us. We honor one another when we hear and remember each other's story. This is my story of our journey to Uganda, Africa, and the wonderful people of Siloam.
The culture in Uganda is extremely different than the culture in the United States. But the people from each country are much alike in their hearts. And the people I speak of here are the people I know in Uganda. They are deeply faithful, and community, family, and God are extremely important in their daily life. They work/labor hard for their daily existence and they encounter challenges that we do not experience. Their homes have bars on the windows and doors due to theft. They do not have screens on their windows and close their house up at night for protection and avoidance of mosquitos that carry malaria. Everything (dishes, laundry, cooking) is done by hand. Very few have cars and bodas are the general form of transportation. Here is Peter's boda which he brings into the house each night. Gas is high...about $7.75 to $8.25 per gallon.
They are a clean people with no conveniences such as us (microwave, washer, dryer, stove, hot water heater, kitchen sink with running water, dishwasher, and on and on). Anna, Peter's wife, asked me how Larry and I can take care of ourselves. Anna gets up before dawn to wash floors, and clothes and cook breakfast. Because she had her baby, Janelle, 3 weeks before our arrival, she hired house help while we were there. She cooked us three meals a day and on a small charcoal burner. She is always sitting on a small stool cooking, squeezing juice, and stirring. She fed Peter, Larry, our driver, and me every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When we were done eating, she and the children ate. She then cleaned up after the meal. Of course, she had help while we were there...but still!
She was feeding her new baby and running the household while cooking and cleaning. And she always had a smile and caring words for us.
The women -- They are very hard workers. They are strong, yet humble. They are soft-spoken and kind. Their role is traditional in that they take care of the children and house. They gather food or go to the market, they sell what they can for income, they toil in the garden or sell extra produce in a small food stand. The men Larry and I know in Uganda are good husbands and fathers. They attend church and work hard for their families. However, that is not true of many men in Uganda. And we encountered that continually through stories from women left behind with children who no longer receive support or nurturing from their biological father.
I shared with our friends in Uganda that they are blessed through struggles and know what is important. This was not a light comment, and they agreed with us. Life in Uganda is hard. And this is what Ugandans say. What is important to them? Love. Forgiveness. Faith. Family. Community. Their kindness, love, and treatment of us were amazing and so appreciated. Hopefully, they felt that in return.
Shared meals - We shared several meals with new friends and old ones. We love the food there which generally consisted, for us, of rice, Irish potatoes, rice, beans, goat meat, beef, chicken, or fish and greens, and fresh fruit. It was delicious, and we had more than enough to eat! The amount of work it took to make these meals happen is not lost on me. Pastor Peter purchased items from the market and the women cooked, over an open fire, to make this happen. The women elders of Siloam Church organized the meal and served over 100 people! They literally served each person by preparing their plate and serving it.
Anna's meals - Anna is an amazing cook. She would squeeze passion fruit for us to drink along with cut-up watermelon, bananas, papaya, avocado, and all the normal foods (rice, Irish potatoes, protein, and greens). We ate so well, and we are trying to replicate that here at home. We miss her cooking!
Medicines - There are many who do not have funds for medicines. Some of their illnesses include pressure (high book pressure) and diabetes. If a person has funds and access to medicines, these are very treatable. If they do not, stroke or problems arise further creating hardship for the family.
Siloam churches - Pastor Peter started the Siloam Community Church in Jinja. The number of members has grown significantly from when we were in Uganda in 2018 at the old site. It is such a testimony to what God can do. Through this growth, Pastor Peter planted three new churches (Jinja Town, Iganga, and eastern Uganda). We visited all three planted churches and loved the members and pastors serving those churches. We pray for them and wish them well as they grow and serve.
During our 2018 visit, we met Daniel who was helping Siloam and Pastor Peter. We helped Daniel finish his schooling and he is now working in a hospital in a laboratory. He is also the pastor of the Siloam Church in Jinja Town.
The main church was packed with people in the "new" building with families, pastors, children, and youth. When we attended church in 2018, there were maybe 20 people at church in the previous building. There were at least 100 people at church and the singing, preaching, and children/youth presentations went on and on to our delight!
The planted church in Jinja Town is pastored by a special person in our life, Daniel. (Daniel is next to Pastor Peter in the image...third from the left in the back.) We met him in 2018 when he was helping the main Siloam Church and Pastor Peter. We helped him finish his education at a vocational school and he is now working in a hospital as a laboratory technician. A small amount of money can make a big (huge) difference in someone's life! Daniel, Larry, and I are connected through grace and love.
Eastern Uganda - This is where Pastor Peter was born and his family is there. Our hearts are connected to these people. They are raw, honest loving, kind, and faithful. They are almost an hour of rough, difficult roads from Mbale. This is deep poverty and their access to health care and education, logistically or financially, is hard to come by. The village is an hour from Mbale or 3.5 hours from Jinja. Please take a minute to watch the video. Worshipping in the Spirit is special! Check out the video...
And we visited the planted Siloam church in Iganga. There were many at the service, and I love the women! They care about the church, God, and community. We felt instantly loved and accepted into the "family." (See the picture at the top of this blog post.)
Looks great, Peter!
