This summer, our East Africa development workers have been meeting with twelve youth from Bombo, Uganda every Saturday night.  This time lasts for a few hours and consists of Bible study and discussions about culture and relevant issues in the world today. For the last several weeks the discussions have revolved around God’s care for prisoners. We discussed Matthew 25 and focused on God’s desire for his people to visit and care for prisoners, who are grouped alongside the most vulnerable people in society (hungry, thirsty, sick and naked).  A visit to the Nakasongola Prison was then arranged so that the youth could connect what they were learning with practice.

On July 30th, John Nyago, Cameron Kagay, Adam Loeffler, two of our East African Cooperatives (Reuben Ndwiga and Lawrence Ssemakula), and 10 of the youth visited the Nakasongola Prison.  Although it was the youth’s first time at this prison, this was our movement’s third visit to the Nakasongola Prison this summer (the first two visits were with a SLAM team from North Carolina – they did educational programs and played soccer on the first visit, and teeth extraction, dental hygiene education, and donated tooth brushes and toothpaste on the second).  While at the prison two of the youth gave encouraging messages of hope from God’s Word. The group also performed songs, played soccer, and donated mattresses for the prison’s sick ward. Prior to our donations, their sick ward had no beds, mattresses, or straw mats; they only had a few blankets on which the patients could lay on the cement floor.

Both the prisoners and the prison staff were very thankful for our presence with them, the services we provided, and the goods we were able to donate. The youth from Bombo were also encouraged by their time and look forward for the opportunity to return. While we were there, prisoners were able to step away from their mundane routine and feel valuable because people invested their time and energy into educating, entertaining and providing for them. ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me’ – Matthew 25:40.

Written by:  Adam Loeffler

Students must overcome the difficulties of overcrowded classrooms to receive an education in much of rural Uganda.

A few weeks ago I met a young man named Baye.  Baye is in his 20s and makes money by fetching water and disposing of people’s trash.  Baye is an orphan; both of his parents died of AIDS when he was young, leaving him to only complete a few years of elementary school.  To this day, Baye is illiterate.  Until a few weeks ago, he could only count from 1 to 10.  The lack of investment into Baye’s life has left him to depend on other people’s honesty for his daily wage (something that is not dependable in Uganda).  Over the years, he has lived with different people, and due to their own lack of education and failure to provide him school fees, Baye has been left uneducated and without hope for his future.  Baye wants to attend school, he simply has not been afforded this opportunity.

Recently, a Ugandan high school student and I began tutoring Baye in simple math.  Our hope is that these lessons will empower him to gain a fair day’s wage for his labor.  Each night Baye comes to our home to learn, displaying great effort and enthusiasm.  He often looks down with his eyebrows narrowed as he concentrates and when he completes a problem he looks up to us waiting for us to say, “gebale ko” (“well done”) or offer correction.  His humility allows him, a grown man, to overcome a lifetime of educational disadvantage as he practices simple counting exercises.

Baye’s is only one story of a forsaken child in Uganda, but many others also share his story.  Even those who have been afforded educational opportunities have not learned because they lacked simple school supplies (paper, pencil, and required textbooks), were malnourished and unable to think critically, their teacher failed to give them proper attention, or they missed too many days because of the multitude of sicknesses that plague this region.

With quality education, these young ladies can begin to transform their community.

Change needs to take place in Uganda. Investment needs to go towards the children.  Education and empowerment are in great demand.  God desires the children of Uganda to have futures that are not inhibited by their lack of education and present state of poverty but filled with ideas of change, health and hope! This dream can come true but it will require the people of Uganda to take responsibility for the next generation.  Children need education, which requires more teachers, smaller class sizes, and willing people to give their time and effort so that the youth of this country can have a brighter future.  As of now, far too many children wander the streets, play in trash, and are left unsupervised.  This summer we are doing our best to not only learn about the disadvantages Ugandan children face, but offer opportunities for them to learn.  ­For this summer, we engage in one-on-one tutoring, Saturday night youth Bible study, support a few children with school fees and contribute towards the ongoing education of local teachers.  We are very hopeful and challenged to take on the responsibility of investing into the youth of Bombo, Uganda.  Things are going to change!

Written by: Lyssa

Ugandan economy has been in a constant downfall over recent months, primarily due to drought and inflation. The Ugandan Shilling plummeted in recent weeks and hit an 18-year low this week when its value to the US Dollar fell to 2,710 UGX / $1.  The devaluation of the shilling, astronomical inflation of goods, and a nation of people with less income has produced turmoil in Uganda.  When people are poor and hungry, their actions are driven by the desperation to survive, which often leads to violence. Wars are fought everyday around the world because people are unable to provide for their families and resort to violence as the avenue to effect change.

Ugandans participating in “Walk to Work” Protests

In April, a political pressure group, motivated by Uganda’s economic inflation, coordinated a protest against high commodity prices. What began as a peaceful strike against the high prices of food, gasoline and other staple resources ended in violence, as police responded with hostility.  It was called the “Walk To Work Campaign,” and it encouraged Ugandans to do just that – walk through Kampala rather than drive or take public transportation.  They chose to strike against the public transportation system in Kampala as a sign of their demand for change.

The protestors wanted the Ugandan government to assist its citizens by providing subsidized prices on certain commodities (i.e. food, gas, building materials) until the economy becomes stable again. The campaign organized Ugandans to walk together twice a week until the government responded to their requests.  However, the government responded with violence, as well as banning the use of social network sites in Uganda to eliminate the future possibility of such organized efforts on the part of the people. The police and army physically confronted protesters, firing weapons and using tear gas. In the process, many protesters have been arrested and injured.

At this time, the government has banned all public demonstrations, which is strictly enforced by the police.  As prices rise and the shilling continues to plummet, something must change in order to bring a resolution to Uganda’s shaken economy.

Written by:  Adam