RIP, Sister Rose October 9, 2009
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The matriarch of the Daughters of Charity, having cared for many thousands of orphans in Uganda, passed away earlier this week. No one was more beloved among the orphan community and her loss is deeply felt by all of us.
Ritah Nyamwiza, A Rare Gem September 21, 2009
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I wish I could claim any responsibility for helping Ritah Nyamwiza become what she is today, but I can’t. I have to admit that I only met this wonderful young lady after the pressures of a hard life were taken by her stellar character to form and burnish the precious jewel she is today. An extremely gifted writer of high intellect and a caring soul, she is a joy to associate with. I have read and occasionally reviewed some of her writings (I find very little in need of correction and can rarely suggest improvements), talk with her occasionally and- as of this summer- became her ‘business partner’. If I ever actually go into semi-retirement and go to set up a small business in Uganda, Ritah would be the first one I would look to hire. Alas, I fear I won’t be able to afford her by the time this happens; she’s too good and will likely be running an NGO by then.
Her proposal for business is here:
Dear Uncle Michael,
I was supposed to have typed this in ms word and attached it but I thought I would just send an email with the explanations.
With the increasing unemployment rates in the country due to the global credit crunch problem- young people all over the country have been encouraged to be job creators and not seekers. It is in light of the above situation that I came up with the idea of a small business. it would be dealing in ladies bags, shoes, accessories and clothes. This side income is very much needed.. I estimated that it would cost me 400000 and that is why am seeking for the loan as I plan to raise 200000 from savings. I would also request for a grace period of 2months and thereafter spread the repayment over a period of 4 months. Let me know what you think.
Regards
Ritah
My response is here:
I have read the proposal and approve it, with some modifications.
I have never seen a small businessperson who- starting out- sufficiently capitalized at startup; there are always excess expenses. Therefore, my loan will not be 200K; it will be 300K loan (possibly a little more, depending on exchange rate). My target for delivering this will be June 15th -16th; I cannot preclude some delay, but do not expect it.
A grace period of 3 months will be granted, with repayment spread over 12 months. Repayment will not to me; you will serve as a charitable source for that period. You will report to me who, what and why you donated 25,000 that month, along with regular business reports (those reports will serve as your interest payment). Frankly, this will be excellent training for the NGO world.
I also am fully aware (as hopefully you are) that most small businesses fail. Should this occur in your case, I expect a fully detailed report on the what, why, hows and the lessons learned. You will still be obligated even if the business fails; however, that obligation may not involve financial repayment. It will take the form of specific charitable service to others; to be as specific and detailed as a payment version. That can be tutoring or other assistance of significance to others. I need consistent reporting in any regard.
This is as much a training exercise as anything else for you, not to mention a means of keeping up with you (which I enjoy immensely. There is an additional long-term cost to this: Should I actually work out how to establish a small business for my retirment in Uganda several years from now, I will likely need a top-flight business manager to help make it successful. I want the option to talk to you at that time about it, because I currently can think of no one I know there more likely to be a sure bet for that role than you.
BTW: I am always available as a personal reference for you; if i was a hiring manager, I Would would hire you on the spot for almost any public-relations, presentation, and/or customer interaction role. I expect anyone as impressive as you to be highly successful.
And this was the latest report from her:
; Thank God for such people!A New ‘Family’ Member: Godfrey Mugisha February 22, 2009
Posted by Mike O in Charity, family.comments closed
Now that Irene and Faridah are through secondary school, I had a little bandwidth to pick up another. This time I worked directly though Children of Uganda and their monthly donation program. I requested a Primary boy this time, because I need to mix things up a bit. I was fortunate enough to draw Godfrey Mugisha, a young man who- according to Peter, the Sabine library manager- has been the top of his class since the first day he walked in the door. I fully expect I have another college education to pay for in my future.
Godfrey’s family situation is tough. Rather than being the typical orphan from AIDs, his father was seriously injured in a fall many years ago, was unable to work and finally passed on in 2007. His mother and 7 siblings had to sell their cattle (cattle being a strictly man’s business in Uganda; both societal and practical, as cattle theft must be an issue.). They bought a small tract of land and struggle to survive. I’ll be helping his family where I can, so Godfrey can focus on school.
A new, long-term adventure and commtiment for me; I haven’t regretted one yet. I look forward to getting to Africa and meeting Godfrey and his family.
I hate writing this, but I have to. November 20, 2007
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It is difficult for me to write this posting, as I have- since early in my adult life- eschewed asking others for anything. But there is a need that is beyond my capacity to resolve, for some people I care deeply about.
The Children of Uganda recently lost a major corporate sponsor and has been under financial pressure for some time. They have reduced overhead- which was pretty minimal to start with- to the bare bones. With these cuts, the organization thought they could manage operations; however, a big shoe just got dropped on them. A group within the World Food Program, which has been supplying the majority of the food for the orphanages, is shutting down operations in Uganda. As of January 1, there will be no food deliveries to the orphans from them. Children of Uganda will need to come up with about $12,000 per year of additional funding to make up for this loss. I suspect the loss from the World Food Program is due to their own financial stains described here.
Added to this is the age curve of the orphans themselves. Many more of the orphans have reached the age to enter secondary school. In Uganda, this is not paid for by the government, though the costs are fairly reasonable. There is also room and board involved, as nearly all secondary schools board the students. Even with all of that, it is no more than $900 total for a year. These costs have begun to outstrip the donor base (I personally am fully covering my ‘daughter’ in college, plus partially covering several others in secondary to the tune of about $4,000 per year).
This all sounds like a lot of money, but every donation will make a huge difference. A $70 donation I made will cover one staffer’s salary for a month and enhance the sustenance-level meals for one of the orphanages for a week.
Thanksgiving is coming up this week and we all have so much to be thankful for. And for the first time ever, I’m asking all friends and family I have to consider pitching in and helping some very special kids. If you do see fit to donate online or by check, mark the contribution for Food or Tuition and Rob (the group’s CEO) and I will ensure that is exactly what it will go for. If you can help, donate at this link
Again, forgive me for this request, but I have to try everything. Including a picture of the standard combination breakfast-lunch that has been cut back since I was there:
AIDS Testing Day in Ssanje; Many thanks to Sarah October 18, 2007
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Sarah Cowan is the marvelous Peace Corps volunteer associated with the Sabine orphanage in Rakai. Just before I left, she spoke about the need to get the family members of the kids who went to the same primary school as the orphans tested for AIDS. A number of parents had died of unknown causes and, during previous home visits Sarah had done, brought up the issue of AIDS testing. The families all wanted to be checked but there was no nearby location to do so. Sarah had found out tha she could get a testing team out to the area for the cost of transport and salaries; about 100K ($60). I threw in $100 to let her get some treats for the kids and Sarah recently pulled it off in a grand fashion. The writeup is here.
What I did for this- in terms of supplying a bit of money- is insignificant to Sarah’s Herculean effort in pulling it off and making it a success. Many kudos to Sarah; I wish I was a tenth the human being she is! I am pledging to support this activity on an at least annual basis for her village of Ssanje. Hopefully, Sarah will oversee it one more time before her Peace Corps tour is completed.
The Fantastic 4: Long-Haul Volunteers July 24, 2007
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I don’t think there are enough good things to say about the group of volunteers shown above; right to left: Sarah Cowan, Cassie and her sister Talitha, and Cassie’s boyfriend Tim. People like this, their attitude toward life and faith, and their willingness to work and sacrifice, all are reasons to really have hope for humanity. May I earn half the good deed points in my entire life that this crew will just this summer!
Talitha is the real veteran in all of this and great, but occasionally the overly practical side of me might disagree with her focus. Natural differences between the young and religious, and the seasoned (old) and secular (cynical). She’s the planner and- with the $10k they’d raised for their work- she’ll make it do great things. Cassie obviously got tired of my mouth- rightfully so- but overcame that somewhat. She is very pretty and dedicated and probably not taken to sitting by silently when she disagrees. Tim is a real champ and proved to be far more valuable as a rookie than I did; he’d done underwater construction before and pitched right in with energy I wish I still had. I’m hoping he becomes the confidant of some of the older boys like I have for some of the older girls. It is a real need there.
I think Talitha felt somewhat uncomfortable in terms of directing me to some of the work they had planned; I should have figured out a way to resolve that. I’m sure most older types would be uncomfortable taking direction or a gently (or not so gentle) prodding from somebody of her youth but I wouldn’t. And, Talitha, if you’re reading this, remember; a verbal kick to my posterior is sometimes appropriate. Do not be afraid to apply it
Sarah Cowan is a Peace Corps volunteer and there for the very long haul; absolutely wonderful young lady and I massively admire her dedication and fearlessness. She does a tremendous number of home visits, where you really find out the needs. I was able to supply her with the resources for an AIDs testing day- now put off until October, due to a snafu with the Children of Uganda office. Amazing how much good $100 will do.
Rural AIDs Awareness Progam in Kyebe July 24, 2007
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The AIDS awareness program was fascinating, as was really getting out in the ‘sticks’. Getting there involved 90 minutes on a ‘road’ that would barely pass as a jeep trail, passing many miles without seeing any habitation of any kind. I swear most of the younger kids there had never seen a Mzungu; at least not one older, bald and bearded. They would just stand and stare.
The show ended up being 2 hours late (Africa time) so we waited quite awhile, part of which was spent in practical discussion with Vincent on the AIDs problem locally. Later, a pack of kids- obviously just let out of Primary- trooped by and sat in the shade of a tree about 50 yards away. They just sat there, staring at me for minutes on end, not saying anything. Figuring I was supposed to do something, I just jumped up with a shout; the whole group took off like lightning bolts, two of them running like they wouldn’t stop until dark. The rest peeked around the corner and drifted back; I got up- causing them to scatter again- and walked over to where they’d been sitting in the shade, sat down and waited. Finally, some were brave enough to return and sit down; never within touching reach and they had great fun trying to push each other within range, figuring I’d grab them and devour them whole, I guess. No English among there, so trying charades a bit, then got up and left them; didn’t eat a single one of them, which probably a surprise to them. Same pack of kids showed up at the performance and, after it was done, spent a half hour staring at me as I waited in the car. I tried to be entertaining.
When the program people did finally arrive on the back of a truck playing drums, they ‘Pied Piper’ed the entire village to the parking lot that they set up for the show; about 20 performers in all. I was there to shoot film for Vincent, so I tried to find a good position to do so. I ended up standing on a refuse pile behind some of the audience. The villagers kept looking back at me, wondering what the Mzungu was up to. I would just hoist up the camera as say in a baritone ‘I’m the cameraman.” (Anyone who saw the recent movie ‘Blood Diamond’ would understand the humor in that.)
The show involved some singing, a few short lectures, some dancing, and a long morality play, followed by a Q&A session. All in Lugandan, so I had little clue of what was going on. The morality play was- until the end- very humorous and entertaining, with a sobering moral at the end about dangerous behaviors. The length of time of the Q&A was a positive sign, a lot of it about bringing the show to other areas and how useful it was. This particular village was the epicenter of the AIDs epidemic in Uganda and had been devastated; the message resonated with these people. I kicked in 20,000 shillings to the group (things were getting tight for me by that time) as a tip, for sodas, or whatever. They do a great job.
Vincent reminds me that I should mention all of the fine organizations supporting his excellent work; they include USAID, PEPFAR and the Government of Uganda. And, naturally, the Reach The Youth Uganda group, of which Vincent is Team Lead. Note that I have added his link to my link list.
MADEUganda Project, 2007 July 24, 2007
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I had already sent most of my resource (money) on to MADE before I came; it let them repair most of their machinery to keep working. I did bring the final payment for a welder repair, as well as 50 sets of bearings and weightlifter gloves for chair users.
The work with MADE went pretty well, but was a bit depressing. Their new space is so small; they seem to be hanging on by their fingernails. I was (am still am) upset with how long it’s taken to get Winnie the wheelchair that Pat paid for almost 6 month ago, especially with me paying as much as I did to fix their equipment. But it’s pretty apparent times are hard for them.
I was glad to get them the interview with the microfinance people and Kristin. I went first to check things out with Fatuma. While I was there, Winnie got in an extensive discussion with Mohammed, the blind wheel man. I was impressed; he matched Winnie word for word. I wanted to make sure he had his say to others. When Kristen and the others came, the interviews went well with Fatuma, but they never got to Mohammed. I realized this after the fact and arranged to come back and have Winnie do an interview (I told a little fib about this; I told Mohammed that Kristin was the one who caught this oversight and insisted that Winnie and I return. I actually initiated it, but Kristen heartily agreed).
Mohammed is an amazingly thoughtful individual for someone with little formal education and I love the ‘thinker’ picture I got of him. A mechanic and wounded warrior, his view on what needs to be done about the disabled is well worth listening to.
The microfinance people did not necessarily with Kristin did not impress me (hard to, compared to Kristen). During their discussion, I pointed out that they were looking at financing in the wrong way; they shouldn’t consider loaning money directly to a place like MADE, but to the people who need the wheelchairs. The loan should also include vocational training funds. I think the near $400 cost of the chairs likely put them off; it’s the material costs that eat up MADE, I’m afraid. Still, the video of the interviews should be useful.
Rakai work July 24, 2007
Posted by Mike O in Charity, kids, places.5 comments
Was really embarrassed to go to Rakai; I only could do 210 K (about $120) in work there and that involved paying to get most- but not all- shower room doors fixed for the boys. Pretty minor stuff. Was glad to see how much progress others had done on drainage and water retention, however. They really need an agricultural effort at Sabine; that place could not only feed itself (including chicken), but grow enough to help feed Kiwanga. It just has to be managed, the kids need to be trained and motivated.
I was left feeling worthless enough that one morning I tackled the last standing water in the compound; a big pothole at the entry to the area. Had wanted to use a wheelbarrow, but both they had were broken. So I ended up digging dirt out of a pile for that excavate for the septic tank and carrying it in a bucket up 100 yards to the pothole. Vincent Mujune, National Team leader of an AIDS outreach program called Reach the Youth, ended up pitching in on this mindless activity; when asked why by Rhita (a phenomenal young lady I’ll discuss later), I told her: ‘When you have money, you use that: when you have words and wisdom, you use that: when all else fails, you use your muscle to try to make the world a little bit better every day.” I told her to pass that on to the kids she was teaching: hopefully, the life lesson will end up being worth far more than the filled pothole.
Toward the end of the effort, Vincent pointed out that rock would stabilize the patch and we could get the young kids (who were out of school while the older ones practiced for a performance contest) to find them. I transmitted the need and within minutes, we were have to stop kids from ripping bricks out of the edging around trees. If we hadn’t got it stopped, the mob of kids would have torn down the school for rock to throw in the hole. My back pretty well gave out, but the hole was 75% filled by the time we quit, got cleaned up and got ready to go out to see the AIDS awareness program out in the country.
Kiwanga Project, 2007 July 24, 2007
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I ended up funding- and working on- an extensive project at Phillip’s House for screening and addition of glass shuttered windows. Also brought a staple gun and staples that helped. Phillip’s House is home of 16 severely mentally and physically handicapped individuals and some of them are real charmers. Phillip’s House dorms have always been shuttered, making the dormitories particularly dark and stifling; this work will go a long way into improving it. But
it was expensive and made a big dent in what I was planning to spend in Rakai.
Since I was there 2 years ago, they had someone come in to work with the residents there and there has been great progress. They take care of their own laundry and do some cleaning. In fact, they were trying to stop one of the girls from doing her laundry because her hands were damaged by some small accident; she was having none of it and insisted on doing her part.
The work also covered screening the clinic; it made absolutely no sense for the clinic not to be screened; last thing a malarial patient needs is another case of malaria two weeks later. Screening the clinic also involved building out wood frames and opening panels, because the window structures were all metal and concrete. Like I said; expensive, but necessary. Got screens on in a lot of other places as well. I helped on some of it; the type of simple work the unskilled, cheap imported labor can do. I made sure Constance’s screens were up to snuff; as a Tour assistent (and one of ‘girls’), we can’t afford her to come down ill if the Tour is going to ever get going.
The medicine we brought into the clinic was put to good use; antibiotic ointment and anti-diarrhea medication was most appreciated. Could definitely use more bandaging materials, however; their ‘plaster’ tape is pretty harsh. Flex bandages would be great. I ended up playing emergency nurse one weekend; not only did one of our volunteers (Tia) have a serious reaction to a peanut dish (peanut allergies can be serious enough to be fatal), but a couple kids got some pretty seriously cut toes. Thank goodness I’d brought some Benedryl for the clinic; it’s about the only medication effective for more serious reactions like Tia’s. Gave her two as the max dose; knocked her out like a sledge hammer; 10 hours later, she awoke and was much better.
