Published: Monday, June 27,
2011
Middletown pair
head to Uganda on mission trip by Tripp Laino
Staff Writer

Judy Willson is no stranger to the approximately 27-hour journey to Uganda
it’s a trip she’s made six times since 2007.
Willson, 57, of Middletown,
attends church at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Braddock
Heights and will make her seventh mission trip to the country on Thursday; her
second trip this year and third since August. She founded the Nyakishenyi
African Mission, Inc., in 2007 and has been making regular aid trips to support
the mission. She said the trips to Nyakishenyi, Uganda have provided a variety
of different supplies to the village’s residents, from medical supplies and
clean water to animals to be raised for livestock.
But she said the trips
also provide a gift to her, allowing her to experience an entirely different
culture and help people in need. During the trip, Willson said she stays in the
village when she’s working on projects that need direct involvement, or in area
hotels when working on other administrative projects.
“For me, it’s been a
blessing in my life and in my family’s life to be able to contribute in this
kind of time that we’re in and it gave me something to look at beyond myself and
my financial situation,” Willson said. “When you see how people sustain on just
their faith alone, you learn that there’s nothing here that could compare to
what they go through. Mainly it’s just the fact that I’m able to do something
outside myself to help people.”
Willson said the major current project is
construction of a $78,000 medical center which will provide health care for the
community.
“There’ll be more expense to that,” she said, adding that the
medical supplies will be the biggest cost. “The main objective is to make sure
the money arrives safely, it’s there and the finances we need to continue
building, and to make sure the committee is there to continue. That’s really our
main goal is to get that clinic going to maintain and oversee. We don’t just
give it and just drop it.”
And Willson won’t be alone on this trip. She’ll be
joined by 18-year-old Riley Delchamps, a recent Gov. Thomas Johnson High School
graduate who said she’s been waiting to take the mission trip since she was 14.

“I first heard about it when I was 14, and I wasn’t old enough to go,” she
said. “Since I turned 18 this year, I figured it’s the perfect time to go. …I’ve
always been interested in travel; I’ve always really been interested in mission
work. The way Judy talked about it; it seemed like such an amazing
program.”Willson said the majority of the funding comes via grants and donations
from members of the church’s congregation. She said she was “excited” to have a
young person join her on the trip, and said she was excited to share her
experience helping people.
“This year’s the first time we’ve had someone
step up to the plate to take the journey to cross the big pond from our parish,”
she said with a laugh. “It’s very exciting because as a mother and grandmother,
it’s neat to take someone from the younger generation and give them that kind of
exposure. It’s going to be a meaningful event in her lifetime.”
Willson said
sharing her trip with someone else would allow her to see the experience through
fresh eyes, and that she was looking forward to Delchamps’ point of view.
“I
have to not let it be a distraction to me, but some of the best part is having
someone else have this exposure and then to critique it,” Willson said. “For
them to give me an honest opinion … It’s more exciting than going by myself.
It’s much more fun to have someone to share it with.”
Delchamps, who will
attend Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass. in the fall, said the trip isn’t her
first experience with a mission trip. She said she visited Honduras for a week
last year, and has participated in a mission trip to St. Paul, Va., where she
and other volunteers do home repairs and other similar aid activities. But even
though it’s not her first time helping people on a mission trip, she said she’s
excited for the month-long journey.
“It’s an experience I’d love to have,”
she said. “I love working with other people. [I’m looking forward to] meeting
the people and I know I’m making a difference. We’re going to be visiting some
of the kids that my church has sponsored.”
And while some soon-to-be college
freshmen might be content to spend their pre-college summer at home on the
couch, Delchamps said she was glad to have such a fulfilling activity to spend
time on.
“I really like that it gives me something to do so I’m not just
sitting at home waiting for college,” she said. “I’m not going to miss home as
much as I think. I’m just so excited.”
tlaino@gazette.net

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.

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

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

This is the initial proposal for the medical center.    For anyone interested in supporting the project, we will supply the entire operational cost and architechural renderings.

 NYAKISHENYI  HEALTH CLINIC (OR MEDICAL CENTER) Note that on the building plans we used Nyakishenyi Health Center but we need to use either Health Clinic or Medical Center because the government one that is there is called Nyakishenyi Health Center and we should avoid confusing the two.

The Purpose of the Medical Center:

The main purpose of the Center is to offer affordable medical care and preventative services to the poor people in Nyakishenyi, a rural area in the center of Africa.  It will offer comprehensive services for  physical, mental and spiritual healing, so that the people may have a better life.

It will offer a wide range of health services. It will have an Out-patient Department for general medical care, an In-patient Department, Dental care services, Eye care services, Maternity care services, and Paediatrics Unit to care especially for malnourished children.

The Centre will bring services nearer to the poor people in this remote area of Uganda.

Justification for the Medical Center:

Nyakishenyi village is found in Rukungiri district, South-Western Uganda, Africa. It is an area that is densely populated. It is mountainous. The average per capita income of the population is only $ 189 p.a. To survive, the people in this area rely on subsistence farming.

People have to travel long distances to access good quality medical care in our area. The nearest Medical Center is Kisiizi Hospital which is a Mission Hospital situated in Nyarushanje, a neighboring subcounty in Rukungiri district. People in Nyakishenyi have to walk a distance of 20 miles to come to this hospital. The majority of our people are very poor and will not afford the costs at this hospital. It is also hard for pregnant women to walk this long distance. Because the area is mountanous and there is no good road network, transport services are very poor. Moreover, very few people afford transpot fares charged. The only affortable means of taking a patient to this hospital is to carry him/her on a stretcher on people’s heads. It is common for pregnant women to deliver children on the way before reaching the hospital because of the long distance.      

Nyakishenyi Medical Center will offer services to everybody regardless of their religion or tribe. It will serve a population of about 100,000 people in and around Nyakishenyi area. About 50% of this number is children. The infant mortality rate (that is, children who die before the age of 5) is about 15% but most causes o f this are preventable and treatable diseases like malaria meningitis which will be prevented and treated at this Medical Center. The Center’s health programs will include health education for preventing these diseases. It will also carry out immunisation programs and HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and provide counselling services.

Management of the Medical Center:

1. Management Committee

2. Medical Doctor (will start with a visiting Dr)

3. Clinical Officer

4. Medical Center/Clinic Administrator

5. Nurses (2)

6. Midwives (2)  

7. Cashier

8. Day and Night guards (2)

9. Cleaners (4)

Sustainability of the Center:

The Center will need an initial capital for operational costs and will begin to generate income from the affordable fees that will be charged for the services offered.

Prepared by the Nyakishenyi Executive Committee

https://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display_farmGarden.htm?StoryID=108275

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display_features.htm?StoryID=108555

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display_features.htm?storyID=108836

Everyday I find so many blessings in my life.  Some are large and others small.  From the final notice of our 501 c 3 status to the birth of my new grand-daughter Chloe Elizabeth.  God is good all of the time.! It is with great joy to have the opportunity once again in my life to go and serve God in Uganda E. africa this year.  Please keep our upcoming trip in your prayers.  We are still in need of funding for the start of a medical center in the village that will serve 100,000 people.  For more information on about the medical center please contact me anytime at 301-401-1280 or just send me and e-mail judywillson@comcast.net.  If you can give a gift towards this years mission it would be greatly appreciated!  All donations can be sent to Nyakishenyi African Mission, Inc.  7203 Dogwood Lane, Middletown MD 21769.  Please take time to visit the blog site for more information.

Most Sincerely,

Judy A. Willson/President

Nyakishenyi African Mission, Inc.

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

Hello everyone out there tuning in to the Nyakishenyi African Mission, Inc.  We just had a wonderful time with our 3rd annual Chili-Cook-off event sponsored by the Church of the Transfiguration and hosted by Greg Holson, owner at the Home at Braddock Inn.  It was a great night also because we were able to invite the public for the first time.  We were able to raise enough funds to bring us to our challenge goal by the Ausherman Foundation to match us with $5,000.00. 

Now we have enough to begin to do our vocational training for at least 10 youth.  In the meanwhile, we have some plans to build a medical center and staff house in Nyakishenyi!  We have the architectural renderings and the plans are being put together more every passing day.  It is our hope and prayer  that we will lay the first building stone this August while I am visiting the village for our 2010 mission project.

Did I say how exciting this is!!!:)  The total estimated funding is approximately $78,ooo dollars just for the buildings.  However, the facility will be non-goverment run and have many departments, such as eye care, dental and serve approximately 100,000 people in the community of Nyakishenyi.

More exciting news is that I will have a journalist from the Frederick News Post joining me by the name of Ron Cassie for half of my visit and in the middle of my visit and returning home with me we will have a Dr. Julian Choe come for his first visit to the mission site.  He will be treating people medically there and doing a clinic for the people of Nyakishenyi. 

Next mission trip back will be August 1-29th.  Please keep our project in your prayers.  More updates will come soon!!!

Blessings,

Judy A. Willson, President

Nyakishenyi African Mission, Inc.