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Uganda Project is no longer part of The Principle Foundation,
and is now an independent organization as of March 27, 2007. |
The  Uganda
Project
Summer
2002 report
[published
here with the permission of the Uganda Project]
Uganda Project
grew out of the Student Opportunity Fund (SOF), which was started
by Nancy and Jim Dorsey when they were living in Uganda between
1995 and 1999. The SOF was initiated when the Dorseys had more
legitimate requests for financial assistance than they could manage
on their own. A message sent to their email network brought in
some generous and timely support. Most SOF aid was used for student
school fees (secondary school is not free in Uganda), and for
other educational or training programs which are beyond the means
of most people there. This kind of help was a good investment
in African "development" - with the smallest chance
of misuse. By giving assistance to active Christian Scientists,
they felt it would not only help them in practical ways, but it
would also strengthen the church groups meeting in Kampala and
Jinja. When Jim and Nancy returned to Ohio at the end of 1999,
a good number of CS Ugandans had already benefited from this "Hand-up"
program. Clearly, SOF was a good idea! The next step was to make
it
 SOF
restructured and Uganda Project launched
Six Christian
Scientists across the US, in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Ohio, and
three Californians, began to communicate by phone and email. Uganda
Project (UP) was adopted as the new organizational name, and
a formal application process was introduced. A breakthrough occurred
in August of 2001 when The Principle Foundation based in
Kansas City, a philanthropic organization to aid Christian Scientists,
agreed to take Uganda Project under its wing as its first international
affiliate. As you can see from the attached financial report,
donations came in (with only a minimum of fund raising), and many
Ugandans have been blessed in the year since UP was formed.
What is
already in place
1. One reason
that UP has succeeded is that a fine young Christian Scientist,
Lamech Katamba, (Clerk of the Kampala CS Society) is available
to handle things in Uganda. A recent graduate from Makerere University
with a degree in Development Studies, Lamech is intelligent, loving,
trustworthy and really committed to Christian Science. At the
2002 annual meeting, he gave a short presentation (see August
Journal, p 31), and was appointed International Coordinator
for Science and Health in East and Central Africa.
As a university senior, Lamech opened a small shop near the
university that combined a student center with a Reading Room,
the first RR in Uganda. Many people have heard of Christian Science
for the first time at this place. When a representative for the
CS Publishing Society visited last year, she said that this kind
of site, where there is a lot of traffic, is the model the CSPS
is recommending for Reading Rooms in developing countries. Lamech
is in constant touch with UP treasurer, Jennifer Zobelein, as
he administers the UP bank account in Kampala and distributes
funds.
 2.
Treasurer, Jennifer Zobelein, handles contributions, writes tax
receipts and thank you notes, forwards funds to Uganda, and keeps
the financial records, both for the project and copies for The
Prinicple Foundation. The committee has adopted bank-to-bank wire
transfers as the safest, most efficient way to get funds to Uganda.
3. Committee
member Joanne Root has agreed to collate information coming from
Uganda and produce bulletins for distribution to UP supporters
and potential donors. Passing on emails and letters - from grateful
recipients, hopeful applicants, and from Lamech - will give people
an insider's look at UP activity. More importantly, it will give
a good sense of the aspirations and spiritual journey of this
group of Christian Scientists. We have found that when people
hear what is happening with Uganda Project, the supply meets the
demand.
4. Autumn
Forsberg, another committee member, has a Master's degree in International
Development and has traveled extensively in Africa. Her perspectives
and insights are invaluable to UP.
5. Jim and
Nancy Dorsey have a lot of first-hand knowledge about the situation
in Uganda and the people involved. They are in a position (with
Lamech's wise counsel) to advise and to make recommendations concerning
those who request financial help.
 What
is needed
Sustainable
income is essential for the success of this program. School fees
are required on a continuing basis, and other commitments must
be made for all approved applications. Every donation is gratefully
received! We are also seeking individuals who would pledge a fixed
amount to donate monthly, quarterly, or annually. So far, one
supporter has promised $500 a month. Or, perhaps a group of donors
would be willing to pledge regular contributions. Small or large
amounts are most welcome. They all add up to a significant number
of Ugandan shillings!
Every bit
of assistance provided through the Uganda Project is received
with gratitude, and it substantially multiplies in its effectiveness
within families and the communities. Your donation goes directly
to these people. Nothing is subtracted for administrative costs
in the U.S. and every dollar is tax deductible. (There are no
salaries, and printing and mailing expenses are paid by the committee.)
The Uganda Project is a program of Christian Scientists helping
Christian Scientists uplifting lives one at a time. Please join
us!
TESTIMONIES
FROM Uganda Project RECIPIENTS
From one
of our university students: "Last semester I had an illness
so severe that I was in hospital 3 weeksThe doctors proposed an
operation and this would mean missing exams. So I refused, and
continued to seek for God,s help while praying. After recognizing
my identity as spiritual, that which cannot fall sick, I requested
the doctors to discharge me. At first they refused, but later
agreed, while saying that I would not be able to do exams. This
gave me the chance and strength to pray and think spiritually
and challenge their mortal mind. They therefore discharged me
two days before the exams. It was a bit hectic, but thank God
I did the examsI am so grateful for CS that I always have answers
to my problems I imagine how our church could be if we all had
what the UP members haveI'm praying that we also develop that
love that the UP has for mankind. Indeed, these people have not
only shown love, but they have also planted good seeds in us as
examples." Love, Margaret
From another
university student: "When I reached home for the holiday
everything was in a mess. The roof on our house is very weak and
the wind blew it off. Most of my documents were messed up when
it rained. It,s good that I found my passport in one piece. Now
I have been fixing things in place and Andrew (brother) fixing
the roof. After that we shall be helping Mum with the org work
(CS group in Jinja) as well as preparing for school. I know that
all these seeming problems can be disputed by the power of MIND
which believes that suffering is not part of God,s plan for His
childrenThank you very much for making it possible for me to complete
the last semester. It was so hectic since I had to copy notes
that I had missed as well as doing progressive tests. Most of
my lecturers were advising me to postpone my exams, but I insisted
that I had to do them. Well, all the exams were good, in fact
I was even the best in two of them. Everything with God is possible.
While at school I have been collecting clothes from students who
no longer need them for the kids and old people who literally
go naked in the village where I live. It has been very successful
I want to share with you about my well being, especially spiritually.
Two weeks ago my hair started plucking out and I began to go bald.
I received a lot of opinions, such as my whole head would go bald,
that I had worms eating up my hair, that I have cancerBut I said
to myself, 'Which of this is true? Who was to determine my destiny
apart from God?' It was a matter of understanding me as perfectly
made without any abnormalities. I studied the books, not giving
any thought to the situationLater when I was styling my hair,
I realized hair growing and now that place is covered up It,s
really interesting to live life in its fullest knowing that you
can solve any problem by yourselfwe receive the power freely.
Thank you again for being supportive to Ugandan students..P.S.
Last week something real good happened. I was totally broke, and
I thought this might be the right time for me to demonstrate.
I spent 3 days with little to eat. Then I was preparing for Sunday
service. I was ready to trek it from Kyambogo University to the
YMCA in Kampala. Very early, as I was locking my room, my friend
brought me 3,000 Uganda shillings ($1.70) which she owed me. She
was like a God-sent Angel, and this reminded me of the verse in
the Bible where we are told not to worry about what tomorrow will
bring, but to thank God for each passing day, for He plans and
takes care of us especially when we least expect it. The money
catered for my transport to and fro and even contributed to the
church!" Yours faithfully, Jacqueline
From a
college student: "I am so grateful for your kind consideration
towards my studies. I am very happy that my prayers are being
answered day by day. My knowledge of God's everpresent love and
goodness has kept me confident since I joined CSMany friends have
admired the way I overcome stress, pains and troubles, and I have
always showed them the light that Mrs. Eddy gave in her book S
& H, and Jesus in the book of Matthew, praying to do good,
to be goodI find the condition of accepting UP's requirement that
recipients give something back to their communities as now part
of me. It's just out of the love that is growing inside of me.
" Yours gratefully, Andrew
From the
Clerk of the CS Society in Kampala: "The Society cannot
pay all its bills from only the collections. The money collected
on Sundays is very small - sometimes less than a dollar. Some
people just walk to church because they don't have money for transport
and they can't give anything. The internet connection (UP paid
for) gives all the members an opportunity to use it so they can
easily contact their CS teachers. Recently, I went to a social
workers training course with over 400 participants from different
districts of Uganda. The friend I went with nominated me for the
post of welfare minister. There were 4 people nominated and we
were given 4 minutes each to campaign. I talked about my experience
in the Christian Science Society of Kampala. I was pleasantly
surprised to find that I had won the race with 293 votes, while
the first runner-up had only 78. I have tried to be very active
in everything during the course. The whole of last weekend I went
to sell S & H at Daniel's graduation ceremony organized in
his village. We sold only five copies, but we managed to give
out over 15 copies free to people who wanted the book but never
had the money to buy it." Much love, Lamech
FINANCIAL
REPORT
August, 2001 August, 2002
Since the
Uganda Project was launched in August of 2001, we have received
over $18,000 in donations! Donors include: about forty
individuals, two foundations, four Christian Science churches,
and one other affiliate of The Principle Foundation. To
date, $17,574 has been wired from the U.S. to Uganda and converted
into Ugandan shillings. Most of this has been disbursed, and gratefully
received and utilized. The remainder is being drawn upon as needs
arise. It is imperative that our funds be replenished quickly
as school fees are coming due in September.
A major purpose
of the Uganda Project is to pay for educational expenses
at all levels. During this past year, the fund has paid examination
fees for ten primary school students. Tuition has
been paid for three secondary school students. At the college
level there are costs for tuition, books, supplies, food, and
sometimes lodging. We have funded four university students,
one of whom has now graduated, and three who will be continuing.
Quite often we receive requests for specific training: computer
courses, driver education, art and design classes, industrial
courses, etc. Others need specialized equipment and tools. On
several occasions we have paid for visa applications, passports,
and travel documents for church members attending conferences.
Occasionally,
we fund special projects pertaining to a business enterprise
Our funds have also been used for church and Reading Room expenses,
such as rent, periodicals, and a copy machine. When Lamech personally
delivers UP funds to recipients, there are quite often transportation
costs. He also makes regular trips to Jinja, a city about 60 miles
away, to bring support to the Christian Science group there. Then,
of course, there are bank fees at both ends American and
Ugandan. Summarized below are the major categories of expenses
during the past year, shown in approximate US$.
| Primary
School fees |
US$
300 |
| Secondary
School fees |
600 |
| University
tuition & related costs |
5,000 |
| Special
training & equipment |
1,500 |
| Pregnant
cow, shed & feed |
1,200 |
| Start-up
capital for small shop |
1,200 |
| Sending
delegate to Youth Employment Conference |
850 |
| Church
& RR expenses |
2,000 |
| Transportation |
55 |
| Bank
fees (U.S. & Uganda) |
430 |
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CONTACTS:
If you feel
moved to respond, checks should be made payable to: Uganda
Project
Jim Dorsey,
Treasurer
1122 Sunny Hill Drive
Columbus, OH 43221-2337
Phone:
(614) 459-6561
You may also contact Nancy Dorsey, Administrator
(614) 459-6561 nrdorsey@aol.com
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