The International Core

Partnering globally to creatively build the Kingdom.

Opportunities to Help the Least of Our Brothers and Sisters

in the

Diocese of South Rwenzori, Uganda

St. Peters’ Uganda Mission Team traveled to the Diocese of South Rwenzori this past March to help fulfill God’s commandment to love your neighbor as yourself, refresh and renew the Cathedral’s relationship with the Diocese, and to assess its progress and needs since our last mission trip in 2023.

St. Peters has a long-standing relationship with the Diocese of South Rwenzori.  In 2008-09, the newly-formed St. Peters Anglican Church came under the jurisdiction of the Diocese until the Anglican Church in North America was formed.  Since that time, St. Peters and the Diocese have had a close and productive relationship. 

While the team was in Uganda, they saw an overwhelming number of ministries in need of support.  The team then sat down with Bishop Nason to discuss his vision for The South Rwenzori Diocese and his top priorities for ways that St. Peter’s can come alongside to meet those goals.  These opportunities are:

OVC Children Program               $200/student                          $200 (additional) per vulnerable student

The Bishop wants us to continue to grow the Orphan and Vulnerable Students (OVC) program, which helps with tuition, supplies and fees for students who would otherwise be unable to attend school due to their family situation.  After the 2023 trip, St. Peter’s Parishioners increased the number of students being sponsored from 90 to 117.  We have now committed to growing that number to 146.  The current cost for sponsoring a student is $200/year. 

While the team was there, they learned about extra needs for 21 of the students to cover the balance of their tuition, hostel expenses, and fees for standardized testing.  These students are considered “especially vulnerable,” as most are orphans living with guardians who are unable to support them and require an extra $200 per school year.  Let us know if you are interested in sponsoring a student or donating towards those needing extra help.

Kamaiba Primary School                                         $34,000 in Renovations, plus $11,000/new classroom       

Kamaiba Primary School is a thriving diocese-run school serving 1,100 students on the property of the Cathedral.  This school is in need of renovations to the existing buildings as well as an additional block of new classrooms.  The renovations needed were obvious from cracked and unsafe floors to leaking roofs.  They are currently using a battered UNICEF tent for the youngest students but must move when it rains as it leaks and floods.  The cost to renovate 3 blocks of classrooms is $34,000 and a new block of 6 classrooms will cost $65,000, or ~$11,000 per classroom.

St. Paul’s Vocational Secondary School                                                                    $11,000/classroom

St. Paul’s Vocational Secondary School is a new school that is also on the grounds of the Cathedral.  In 2023 it had less than 300 students who were meeting in the Cathedral Sunday School classroom and a wooden structure that flooded when it rained.  At the last visit the new school had one nearly complete building, a second building started with only a foundation.  In the 18 months since the last visit, this school now has:

·      Completed three classroom blocks

·      A large multipurpose building named after a St. Peter’s parishioner who donated most of the funds for the building

·      A science building that is under construction

·      Two 300-person hostels that are being used despite not being completed

·      Ground has been broken for a new library building

There are nearly 700 students attending this school including Catholic and Muslim students due to the quality education they are receiving.

Needs at St. Paul’s include an additional 6-block classroom building so that they can start offering the top students the ability to attend secondary level 5 and 6 which is considered a college preparatory track, in addition to the vocational trade track offered now.  The cost for the building is $65,000, or ~$11,000 per classroom.

Completion of Boys and Girls Hostels at St. Paul’s School                                                               $20,000  

Children attending Diocesan Schools often walk miles each day to and from their school.  There are no transportation systems and certainly to school buses to take.  In addition to the lost time from classes, walking to school can be dangerous, especially for those who have converted to Christianity from Muslim families.  Such people, whether children or adults, are often ostracized and forced to leave their families and homes because of their faith.  Separate Hostels for boys and girls allow students to live on school grounds in a safe, Christian environment and focus on their studies.    

Motorcycles for Priests                                                                                                   $2,000 each motorcycle

The Diocese of South Rwenzori has 173 active Clergy, 650 Parishes and 165 primary or secondary schools.  It covers a large, mountainous area where roads (as we know them) are non-existent.  In some places, motorcycles are the only viable form of transportation.  Motorcycles allow Priests and Diocesan staff to travel to remote areas to tend to the needs of their parishioners.  After the 2023 Mission, St. Peters’ Parishioners donated 14 motorcycles to the Diocese.  The immediate need is for 14 additional motorcycles.

Skills Training for Widows and Young Mothers                      $2,000 each group training session         

South Rwenzori is an area plagued by high unemployment and devastating poverty.  The Diocese has on-going programs to help widows and young mothers become self-sufficient.  After the 2023 Mission trip, St. Peters funded the purchase of commercial soap-making equipment and sewing machines, and provided training for widows and young mothers in vocational skills.  Such training sessions are conducted in groups of 10 women.                     

Completion of Sunday School Building at Kikyo Anglican Church                                                    $4,000

Kikyo Anglican Church sits on a mountaintop near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  On Sundays, the Church is bursting at the seams with parishioners, children, and guests creating an overflow situation.  People literally stand outside at windows to participate in the services.  Construction of the Sunday School building is underway to help alleviate this problem, with parishioners building bricks by hand!

New Computers in Schools                                                                                                                 $750 each         

Schools have woefully inadequate computing capabilities. In fact, one school has ONLY ONE computer for use by students and staff.  Many college applications must now be prepared on-line, making the need for up-to-date computers even more critical to educational needs. 

* * * * * * * 

HOW TO DONATE?

1. Write a check to St. Peter’s, indicating which Uganda need the check is for, and drop it off at the Cathedral.

2. Donate online by going to the Donations Page (https://abundant.co/spac/options) on the St. Peters website, click “Foreign Missions” and indicate which program you wish to contribute to on the “Memo” line of the form. 

QUESTIONS?  Contact:

• Patty Lang, St. Peters Missions Coordinator, at 850-701-0664 or PLang@StPetersFL.com

• Kurt Spitzer, International Missions Core Captain, at 850-228-6212 or kurtspitzer@ksanet.net.

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