Kyogyera Father Paul Jeffries is Principal of Bishop McAllister College .
Bishop Gerald McAllister & his wife Helen
WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
November 2004
Dear Friends!
A few days ago I arrived at school and its sure great to be back. I received a wonderful welcome upon my arrival Sunday evening. I was greeted at the main gate by the school band, local board members, staff and students. Wow! What a warm welcome I received. It was to be a wonderful & colorful evening. First I was escorted into the College by the band. All along the way students were lined up to greet me, you would think I was a returning king. First item on the program was a Service of Thanksgiving in the Chapel, where we offered our thanks for my safe journey, and also for the successful completion of O-Level exams for our Senior Four class. Earlier in the day a bull had been slaughtered in my honor, so following the service everyone was able to enjoy a very wonderful meal. A group of boys had spent the afternoon roasting a portion of the meat, which we were to enjoy later in the evening with the entertainment. It was all very colorful, with much singing and dancing, and of course no function would be complete without many speeches.
My life has now returned to its normal routine, and I’m left with wonderful memories of my visit home. It was really wonderful to see so many of you who have been supporting for all these many years I have been serving as a missionary over seas. My one regret each time I’m home is that there is not enough time to see as many people as I would wish. I’m so grateful for the warm welcome that I was shown everywhere I visited. Your enthusiasm and support for this mission was overwhelming, and as a result I have returned to Uganda not only refreshed but completely energized and renewed both in body and spirit.
Together we are making a difference! I know that for most of us, when we read the news from around the world we find it pretty discouraging, particularly news from Africa. We read about the wars which are killing so many people, the famines that follow those wars killing more people, and of course the devastating effect of AIDS. In Uganda there are more than three million orphans (10% of the total population), many as a result of AIDS. And if that isn’t discouraging enough, there are plenty of natural disasters as well. What to do? Can we really make a difference or are the problems just too many and insurmountable? I want to assure you that we can make a difference! In fact we have been making an incredible difference these past seven years at Bishop McAllister College – Kyogyera. Seven years ago this school was being threatened with closure. It had only a handful of students, the buildings were in a terrible state of decay, and the financial situation was in terrible shape. Today there are more than 400 students (boys & girls) living and studying at BMCK. The age of the students range from 13 to 22 years. We offer both O Level and A Level studies (Junior and Senior High). A block of seven classrooms has been constructed, as well as two science labs and a computer lab. Praise God!
For the last four years many individuals, groups and parishes from the Diocese of Fredericton have been sponsoring orphaned children here at BMCK. Without this assistance these children would have had no chance of ever getting an education. You have given them an opportunity to have a full and rich life. For many them you have given new hope just when they had thought all was hopeless. Today there are more than 70 children in school because of this tremendous generosity. I cannot thank you all enough.
CHILD SPONSORSHIP STUDENTS 2004
Perhaps the greatest challenge we have ever faced was regarding providing education for girls. We lacked adequate facilities for operating a mixed boarding school. As result of this the schools Board of Governors made the decision that the school should be boys only. What a blow it was to our female students, their parents and guardians. There are few alternatives for girls that can offer the education that we can at fees they can afford. One mother asked in desperation where we advised her to take her daughter that she would still have such an opportunity to study sciences, including computer studies at the same level of school fees. As always God provided the answer for the way forward. Today we have a brand new dormitory for girls. It is about two thirds complete and the girls have already taken up residence there. God truly is great!
Are we making a difference! Yes! We are making an incredible difference in the lives of 400 children, 70 of which are orphaned children. More than, this we are making a big difference in the lives of the 90 girls who now live and study at Bishop McAllister College – Kyogyera. Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support these past years.
“TO GOD BE THE GLORY”
PRAISE GOD!
Please pray for us, especially for a smooth and peaceful closing of the school year on December 3rd. Also for the senior six students who are now sitting national exams, that they may have peace of mind and be free from sickness, especially malaria through out this stressful time for them.
God Bless!
Paul