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Uganda Project is no longer part of The Principle Foundation,
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The
Uganda
Project
SUMMER
2005 NEWSLETTER
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. Being 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. There-fore, 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!
 COLLEGE
SUCCESSES
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,
[right] 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.
 PERSISTENCE
REWARDED
Kenny Ssali [left] 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.
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 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
CS 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. [photo above:
Sunday Service - Kampala
Douglas Kaziro and Jacque Namusalisi reading.]
CS GROUP
IN JINJA
Over the last several years, UP has given assistance
to many people who are part of the CS 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 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 S&H. 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 S&H
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 CS group in Jinja needs some help in organizing regular
services
and establishing
bylaws.
So 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.
 UPDATE
ON JACKSON
In the last newsletter we described the experiences
of Jackson Kuteesa [right] 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.
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
OK. All books should be in reasonably good
condition - all pages intact. Some marking
is OK. 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
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.
If
you are moved
to contribute to
this effective
outreach
to students of Christian Science
in Uganda, please make your checks
payable
to:
TPF/Uganda
Project
All contributions are fully tax-deductible
and every dollar goes directly
to the recipients. UP expenses are donated by committee
members.
Mail correspondence
and checks to:
Jennifer Zobelein, Secretary-Treasurer
2130 Ravoli Drive, Oxnard, CA 93035-2924
Phone - (805) 984-0464
Email - jenzobe@verizon.net
--------------------------------------------------------------
Uganda Project Administrator:
Nancy Dorsey, Columbus, Ohio
Home phone - (614) 459-6561
Email - nrdorsey@aol.com
--------------------------------------------------------------
We are most grateful to The Principle
Foundation for allowing us to
operate under their
administration and
to use their
non-profit tax
number. Tax
receipts will
now be sent directly from this
organization:
The Principle Foundation
Kansas City, Missouri
(800) 826-7756 |
