Team Uganda
Mission work in Uganda is an exciting avenue of ministry at St. Andrew's. Just over two years ago, a group of enthusiastic and dedicated parishioners formed a commission called Team Uganda. Together, they look at programs that fall in line with supporting the Millennium Development Goals set forth to eradicate poverty by the year 2015.
Team Uganda's primary mission is to aid orphaned children, including but not limited to those at the Chain Foundation Orphanage in Mukono, Uganda. Take a look at our Uganda photo album. And take a minute to read the 2010 Chain Foundation annual update to find out more about this amazing organization. (Report is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat reader to view.)
In addition to our relationship with The Chain Foundation, St. Andrew's is providing scholastic sponsorship and care for four orphans, Timothy and Catherine and Calvin and Joyce Mary. The youth at St. Andrew's have an opportunity to correspond with these friends from so far away. Just one example of bridging the gap between the continents.
Parishioners Bob and Deidre Stimpson also began sponsoring a youngster through the Chain Foundation. His name is Jasper, and he is 9 years old. We encourage others to get involved in helping impoverished children in Uganda and would love to help you make that connection.
Some of the key objectives of the Uganda mission are raising awareness and raising funds to help those in need. There are many benefits to simply spreading the word—or the "Good News"—about how we all can make a significant difference in the lives of children who face challenges we cannot even imagine here in the U.S.
A very successful annual campaign for our orphans just wrapped up at Easter. Team Uganda spearheaded the third annual "Chicks for U...ganda" project that raised more than $1000 to purchase chickens and livestock for the Chain Foundation orphans and help support Team Uganda's other program goals.
A major project conquered in May 2007 funded the completion of plumbing/toilet facilities in the children's dormitories at the orphanage. A generous amount was given by St. Andrew's Outreach Commission. This, along with funding from the Uganda Mission Fund to total $4300 was sent to the orphanage. God has blessed us richly and we are giving back to those in need.
Additional incentives have evolved from both within the church and outside our doors. These included a jewelry sale where 100% of the profits were directed to the Uganda mission, selling handmade Ugandan products at St. Andrew's Serendipity Thrift Shop, generous contributions from Shoreline Community Chorale concerts, and the encouragement of community-wide programs with local service organizations to fund major programs in Uganda.
When the Chain Foundation's began reaching out to blind children in need, St. Andrew's sparked a campaign to obtain Braille machines that could be used to help the children learn a valuable method of communication. Team Uganda accepted donations from parishioners, Outreach, and a mission companion church, Stonington Calvary, to raise raised funding for ten Braille machines that are being used today at the orphanage.
You know the adage: it takes a village, and we have begun forming a village to support children in Uganda...and look forward to continuing our mission work for many years to come. In addition, a grassroots nonprofit has formed called Call to Care Uganda, as a result of work that started right here at St. Andrew's. It’s mission is to support vulnerable children and those that care for them in Uganda.