This letter is so inspiring to me and has touched my heart to hear someone speak so well of the mission and who has known it from its conception. May God bless Ron for all that he has been doing to serve mission in our world, as a journalist and as a team member. Thank you Ron! 
June 20, 2010
Dear Friends and Family,
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m not sure many of you are aware, but on August 1, as my Family Medical Leave time with Dad runs out, I will be heading to Uganda on a long-planned trip with a small nonprofit for two weeks.
When I first started at the Frederick News-Post, I met the founder of the Nyakishenyi African Mission, Judy Willson, her husband, Frank, as well as Rev. Jovahn Turyamureeba and his wife, Penelope. Rev. Turyamureeba is from Nyakishenyi and was also visiting the Willson’s local pastor, Henry Sabetti, with whom he attended seminary.
From 2007 to 2008, with the support of her parish, the Church of the Transfiguration in Braddock Heights, Md., as well as private donations, local organizations and foundation, Judy raised $30,000 and helped coordinate a sustainable water system project that continues to bring potable water to more than 1,000 Nyakishenyi villagers.
Last year, Judy raised another $18,000 for an animal husbandry project, delivering 380 chickens, 160 goats and four cows to village families. The funds were also used to build model chicken houses, furthering the animal project as a sustainable source of both food and income for the village.
Recently, Judy started a scholarship program to send Nyakishenyi young men and women to nursing and trade schools. And now, with assistance of Frederick Dr. Julian Choe, whom I followed to Port-au-Prince after the earthquake, Judy and the Nyakishenyi African Mission have begun fundraising and planning for a medical clinic in the village.
As a journalist, I’ve written many stories about nonprofits making great contributions locally and around the world. I’ve seen the work of these efforts in Baltimore, Washington and Frederick, as well as the Dominican Republic and Haiti. To me, the accomplishments of the Nyakishenyi African Mission in assisting poor, isolated Ugandan villagers, as they create healthier, better lives for themselves, is as remarkable as any.
The Nyakishenyi African Mission no paid staff and thrives because of the strong relationships Judy’s developed with Nyakishenyi community leaders and Rev. Turyamureeba.
After my trip to Haiti, Judy, whose husband wasn’t able to go on this trip, invited me to accompany her. Although I expect to write about my experience, I’m not going as a journalist, but as part of the mission team, hoping to make whatever contribution possible. I will be on unpaid leave from the News-Post while in Uganda.
The cost of my airfare and flight has been generously provided by a grant from another nonprofit, and I’m writing now to ask if you’d be willing to support the mission’s effort with a tax-deductible donation.
While I plan to use some of the money I raise to purchase soccer balls and backpacks for village children, I’m also hoping to raise enough money to help support the ongoing animal husband project and scholarship program. Along with delivering soccer balls, chickens and scholarship money, I hope to visit a college journalism class in Kabale, teach “intro” English classes in the village and learn as much as I can about life in one small African village.
There are links below to the News-Post story I wrote about the mission last year and Judy’s blog, which has a wealth of information and photos from the project. Of course, if you have any questions, please feel free to write or call me on my cell, 443-257-3390.
Contributions can be made out to the Church of the Transfiguration, placing Nyakishenyi African Mission in the memo space. (The mission is awaiting approval for 501©3 status and has been using the church’s nonprofit status). If you wish to make a contribution, please mail it to Judy’s home address, Judy Willson, 7203 Dogwood Lane, Middletown, Md. 21769.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about the Nyakishenyi African Mission.
Sincerely,
Ron
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display.htm?StoryID=94191
http://judywillson.wordpress.com
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