(The men of Kabarole join in on this Labor of Love project--Building Glory Community Primary School!! What a great way to show love to the community!!)
(Milton shares a moment with our sponsored family: Nakasi Justine, Anne, Marvin and Mutova.)
(Gloria studies at the old school. Notice the blackboard in the foreground, one of the only teaching tools used.)
(The brickwork required professionals to complete the task. The children found this interesting and exciting as they watched their new REAL school be completed!)
I have always felt deep concern for the poor, starting in my elementary school years. As I grew older and my faith deepened, I realized I was being obedient to God's calling about my life! My mission work began about 1996 when I joined the youth at First Presbyterian Church as one of their leaders and I went with GROUP work camp in Iowa. We worked for a week along side a couple hundred youth and adults from all over the USA on homes that needed minor repairs. It was a time of great fellowship with the youth and other adults on the trips. There were a total of 5 local GROUP mission trips out of state in addition to working nearly every Labor of Love project in Ottawa. Later, our church youth group traveled to Guatemala to be a part of Craig and Peggy Harvey's mission team. We worked in the tiny village of Jobompiche doing a variety of project and I have grown to love the people in that village. God continued to tug on my heart to go even father to serve the under-resourced people in the world.
As a child, I had always dreamed about going to Africa but I wasn't sure how to get involved. Then, in 2007, I visted another church in Naperville and discovered that mission teams were forming to go to Uganda! I immediately felt a strong urging to get involved! I talked to others who had been to Uganda and signed up to be a part of an upcoming mission trip.
Global Family Rescue's major goal was to get sponsors for the poor in Uanda. After a 3 year commitment, it was believed that the family would then be self-sufficient. The money was handled by the GFR Ugand staff. They worked with the very poor, teaching them the skills they needed. I was able to travel to Uganda in 2008 and 2009. Our team of 10 to 12 members met with the various sponsored families and through interpreters, we developed a loving relationship. They truly saw us as God's servants who had come to help better their lives. We were God's hands and feet. Sitting with my family, Nakasi Justine, a grandmother raising her 3 grandchildren, Anna, Marvin and Ibrahim, we exchanged gift. Besides our financial commitment, I gave them clothes , toys and medicines. And for me? A chicken and eggs!! I was overjoyed and humbled beyond words to know how much they sacrificed for me. But they felt like they were looking into the eyes of Jesus, who was providing for their needs!
Since my two Ugandan trips, I have stayed in constant contact with my good friend, Tusingwire Milton, who was a community facilitator with GFR. That organization has since left Uganda but Milton has joined with another non-profit called Initiatives for Transformation Innovation. He is also a member of twoRotary Clubs.
In one correspondence in the spring of 2010, Milton mentiond to me that the school in Kamwenge had been destroyed by a storm. I ws stunned! This pole and thatched roof structure was dilapidated in its normal, usable condition. Hearing this news was devastating to me. I had met the many children in this village and knew their strong desire to get an education. In addition to that, my career has been in education and I just couldn't imagine these children without a schollo or proper education. Sitting in the comfortable OTHS building, I privately made a decision to get involved. God would not lead me to this opportunity without seeing me through. So it became a goal of mine to see to it that these children got the school that they deserved.
I spoke to Milton about my desire to build a new REAL school for the children and heproceeded to get me the information I needed. He talked to architects to get an itemized list for the cost of the school. After several adjustments to the list, the cost of the school would total $10,278. This was way more than I personally had, so I was forced to consider fundraising as the option to help fulfill my promise to the Ugandan children. One humorous note is that the original cost of the school was about $1200 cheaper--then the builders realized they had neglected to include a floor for the school!! Thus, the final total included a floor!
Furdraising was something I was not really comfortable or familiar with. My husband and I donated to many varied organizations, but suddenly, I was being thrust into the world of furndriaing for my own project! I knew that this was a viable mission and that my family and close friends would most likely donate to honor me. But how could I get others to donate? I composed a letter and sent it via email, facebook, and regular mail to anyone I thought might be interested in hearing my story. The donations trickled in and I was a bit discouraged. Milton cheered me constantly, encouraging me that once a few start donating, others would soon follow. He never lost hope in my dream. So I did not give up!! I told my story to anyone I could 'corner'! Gradually, friends, and even strangers, 'got on board' and soon began making donations in all sizes!! Wanting to do my part in the fundraising, I startd my own personal baking campaign at the high school to add to the Uganda school account. I baked and sold chocolate chip cookies for $.50 and quickly became known as THE COOKIE LADY as students learned of my mission to build the new school.
Having worked at the Ottawa Labor of Love for many years, I knew the value of working on projects together. Friendships deepen and a sense of owndership grows as people enthusiastically work together. Those ideas were shared with Milton as I suggested that such community involvement would be a worthy goal. After discussing this with the village representatives, it was determined that every Wednesday would be Labor of Love Day througout Phase 1. Every man, woman, (and child) came to the work site to see what they could do to assist! Men helped dig the foundation, hauled sand, and carried bricks one by one and walked miles with their jerry cans for water needed to mix the mortar, then manually mixd the mortar. The women joined the team as they made porridge to feed the workers as well as show moral support for the hard-working men. Even the children arrived to run and play as they enthusiastically watched their new, real school being built. They knew that this was the end of the teasing and taunting they had received from neighboring children because of their inferior 'old school' and they suddenly felt hope for a better future. This was finally a community project-all working together towards the same goal!! Once Phase 1 was completed, the remaining phases were accomplished by the skilled laborers.
Throughout the months of 6 or 7 fundraising, I was able to pay for the school. At one point, I received a panicked note from Milton stating that there had been an error in figuring the total cost. They had forgotten to include the cost of the FLOOR!!! Adding the cost of the floor increased the cost of the school to just above $10,000. We all felt such a sense of accomplishment when we sent that last payment. During the entire process, we had called this project Labor of Love/Kamwenge School Project. That was fine for business purposes, but we all felt that a more appropriate name for the school must be determined. From the very beginning, the children kept praising my name for helping them get a new school. This really left me feeling a bit embarrassed and empty, because that was not the intent or correct!!! It was God who guides our every step and places opportunities in front of us. It was because of Him that this school became known to me. So, I thought GLORY PRIMARY SCHOOL would be an appropriate name so the children would know that all the glory goes to God for their new school and this new opportunity that gives them hope for a better future. The numerous letters that I have received from the children, thanks to my friend, Milton, all suggest that they know who is their provider!! What joy that gives to all who have been involved in this project.
Even though the school is complete, my job is not finished. The beautiful school is empty of all needed furnishings!! I will continue my fundraising efforts but even that cannot go on forever. The list of supplies is almost endless--textbooks, chalk and chalkboard, math sets, desks and chairs for the teachers and children. The list goes on and on!! At this point, we must begin thinking of a project that will make the school self-sustaining--a project that will earn money so the school can continue to stay in session once our fundraising stops. That is our focus. I pray that there will be a way to keep the school afloat during these difficult times. Lives can be changed and improved and the great hope that exists will endure for years and decades to come.
