Robert on the right
Dear friends in mission,
This message comes in part as a thank you in sharing this journey with me and a reminder of where this journey has taken us together and where we have yet to go. To let you know how much you and other groups have contributed with your support in so many ways to a village called Nyakishenyi. It is through God’s grace and what God expected of me to help facilitate in the days following my first visit to Nyakishenyi in 2007, that I can bring to you this message and good news today. I am forever amazed and grateful beyond words to see how the people of this area do so much with so little and yet it multiplies. It is surely God’s love working though us all to continue to do His work.
For those of us who are Christians, we are soon to be reminded of the sacrifice our Lord Jesus Christ suffered for our salvation upon the cross. I don’t believe there has been a greater sacrifice than that one. So, in the scheme of things, what I have given in this world is little to compare with our God in heaven and what He of has given to me and His children of the world.
In the local Rukiga language of Kabale and Nyakishenyi, the word for our Heavenly Father is “Ru’hun’ga.” Among learning a bit of the language and culture, I have learned as well the sacrifices that most of these people make everyday to take care of their families and have seen the challenges of the area they live in and oppression in their country…In the USA the majority of us are free from at least the oppression. I believe, without God in their lives they would survive, but not flourish and bloom as they have. I see Ugandans with the greatest of physical strength and faith.
While in Uganda this past January, I was discussing with some folks about a book that I wish to write concerning poverty and our project. Then one day, while I was touring some of our projects with a young man named Robert, who is a husband, father and I must also add received a diploma in education while I was there, Robert gave me his story and somewhat of a testimony of the project’s impact from his perspective. He is one of the most amazing persons I have ever met, and always has a smile.
After his sharing of the project with me, I asked him to write what he had described to me about the project. It was the first time I was made aware that the government is now recognizing Nyakishenyi for other improvements, such as a “BIG ONE”, ELECTRICITY! The following came from Robert’s observances and heart. He is also raising a few cows, and growing coffee. Two years ago while I was there visiting the mission site, his wife was about to give birth to a second child. She was very ill in a neighboring health facility with malaria and wanted me to get there to see her before I left the village for the USA, but there wasn’t enough time. The mother and baby boy are both doing fine today. I was blessed to see her and all of their children this past year.
I am now praying that we can see the medical center completed. It will make another major impact on the quality of the lives for the people of Nyakishenyi. Please pray that I can find the fees for the air fares for this July visit, since they have gone up appreciatively since my last visit this January. My agent tells me it is a surge in the oil prices due to the conflicts in North Africa.
I also feel comfortable to confirm that a young lady named Riley Delchamps will join our team this year to visit the mission. Riley is very excited to go and will be going off to college in the fall. Riley has travelled as a missionary with other projects throughout her youth and has assisted in helping with many projects throughout the years for our mission. She brings much joy, beauty, talent and intellect to our mission and will bring all the same to the people of Nyakishenyi. Pray for her to also be blessed with the funding needed for our mission trip.
Note my disclaimer! I debated on sharing this message concerning the work in Nyakishenyi, because I was embarrassed that my name was used so much! Please overlook that part of the message from Robert. I didn’t want to alter his words, so I am sending it complete to you. The impact of the mission is the most important part of this message.
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From Rev. Canon Jovahn: I am sorry that this has taken long to get to you but I think it is still useful for our mission reports. This is what was written by Robert:
JUDY WILLSON’S PROJECT IN UGANDA:
Nyakishenyi African Mission (NAM) which started as Nyakishenyi Village Project and changed its name to NAM started in December 2007 by the Rev. Canon Jovahn Turyamureeba in collaboration with his friends from America.
LOCATION: The above Project under the leadership of President Judy Willson from America is located in Rukungiri district, Rubabo county, Nyakishenyi subcounty in a remote and mountainous village in Southwestern Uganda.
Why the Project started: This project started with the intention of fighting poverty, ignorance, famine and diseases within Nyakishenyi subcounty especially in Kacencem and Kiniogo cells where most of the time people were always sick. The sickness caused poverty and famine that disorganized the whole subcounty and government goals. Experience shows that if one foresees from very far and designs what isc to be undertaken, one can act with speed, determination accuracy and courage when the moment comes to execute them. Therefore the people of Nyakishenyi are grateful to you for whatever you contribute to this project. It is due to your enormous support that we have achieved our goals.
How has this been done? Judy Willson used her knowledge attained during her time of school to transform our village by encouraging people to do the following:
1. Judy requested and advised the people of Nyakishenyi to work together in constructing water trenches through providing physical labor while she provided materials such as pipes, cement and paying engineers. This enabled the people of Nyakishenyi to fight diseases that were caused by contaminated water.
2. She also advised people of Nyakishenyi to use water profitably in supporting other small projects especially among the youth like making bricks, watering crops in nursery beds in order to get daily income.
3. Judy again started animal project. In this project over 149 families received goats, 20 families started poultry project and 4 families started cattle keeping. This was mainly started to fight poverty.
4. Judy advised parents to support their children in education and more particularly in vocational skills. She advised parents that they should know that development is synonymous with education because education is a stepping stone to all other programs, be it poverty eradication, health or even business.
Judy encourages people not to forget their history and background. This is because a great English man sir Walter Raleigh, wrote that the end and scope of history is to teach us by example of times past such as wisdom may guide our desires and actions. Judy is supporting three students at diploma in computer science and more others are soon joining technical school in driving and mechanics, tailoring and brick laying courses. The beneficiaries of the above project in a special way have always commended the good work done by Judy and her team.
5. Judy has started the construction of a medical center which is at damp-proof course. Judy, blessed be you that bears this title:
The first American to start a project in Nyakishenyi
The first American to provide water in Kiniogo and Kacence cells
The first American to receive the love of the people of Nyakishenyi.
You spend sleepless nights planning for the people of Nyakishenyi therefore you have a very big role.
You and the Executive committee you are to determine what NAM will be and above all its future.
Where does she get the money from to support the project? She gets money from her friends, other well wishers and generous people in America.
IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT:
Research has shown that enterprises in agriculture could pay more than a good number of holders of average and high earning jobs.
a) A poultry farmer with only 100 birds earns net of 90,000= Uganda shillings a month which a retail trader using the same capital cannot get.
b). A farmer keeping a cow that gives 15 liters of milk a day: 9 liters in the morning and 6 liters in the evening after his consumption earns 180,000 to 225,000 per month.
A farmer growing tomatoes that harvests 200 fruits every week is able to get shs 20,000= per week. Such a farmer can comfortably pay fees for children at University. Therefore it was wise to encourage the people of Nyakishenyi to start an animal project.
c). Youth and strong men have started making bricks which they sell to get some good amount of money to support their families.
d). Others have started to set coffee nursery beds and sell seedlings for money to support their families
e) The government of Uganda has promised to construct a road to help people to transport their produce to different areas as a result of Nyakishenyi African Mission.
f). More coffee is being grown in Nyakishenyi because the people have learnt the value of manure and its use on land.
g). Others have started to plant tea. This is because the competition among the youth has increased and the above projects are there because of water.
h). Diseases reduced in the Nyakishenyi because safe water is available.
i). After the provision of clean water by NAM, the government of Uganda has been convinced that electricity can be extended to Nyakishenyi village and this project of rural electrification has started now!
Remember winners don’t set limits; they set goals. So pray for me: I will always put God first and love Him forever.
Prepared by Tusingwire Robert
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