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Portrait of a Generous Man
“My own life has been blessed by my involvement. By the grace of God, I have matured people and also been matured by people.” Rev. Canon John Mulindabigwi
The Bible has a lot to say about generosity.
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
KSVS Founder and Director John Mulindabigwi grew up in a large family living in rural Kamwenge, much like the current community. As a young man, he landed a job with Kilembe Copper Mine in Kasese, a Canadian company where he was eventually promoted to a supervisory office role. It was during this time in Kasese when John turned his life over to Christ. He attended an Anglican church and through the Diocese, became a Volunteer Lay Hospital Chaplain where he visited patients in the hospital every Saturday.
John and Jolly married on December 17, 1983. Together their lives have been ones of generosity in and resources. Throughout their marriage, they have provided hospitality to travelers and those in need.
After Kilembe, John worked at several jobs including a transport company, and Estates Officer of Ruwenzori Diocese. All the while he continued to visit hospitalized patients and prisoners. In 1995, John took a job as manager of Shell Oil Ankole in Mbarara. While there he worshiped regularly at All Saints Church and soon was volunteering to mentor young adult groups. He eventually joined the church staff as mission coordinator and continued in that unpaid capacity, even after he was ordained in 2005, until his retirement in 2021. The Anglican Church made John a Canon in 2011 in recognition of his many years of unselfish work serving the community.
John helped implement the mission of the newly-formed Partners in Mission serving East Africa, organizing youth conferences throughout the Great Lakes region of Africa, and instilling in them the values of the East African Revival. When the organizations’ founder died in 2000, the PIM leadership asked John to take over as Coordinator. It meant leaving his job with Shell Ankole while receiving no compensating salary from PIM. On faith, he accepted the position and continues to this day.
John is by nature a compassionate man who naturally draws people to himself. In his capacity with PIM, John visits communities in various Great Lakes countries including Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, where he encourages churches to develop youth leaders and engage in community development. Together, John and Jolly visit refugee camps where Jolly teaches women farming, sewing and craft skills while John encourages fledgling churches in the camps.
When John and Jolly saw the need for community development in the Christian context in Kamwenge, they donated 20 acres of land to build a school where much of KSVS sits today. Since the school opened in 2007, John has spent many hours visiting homes in the community, helping families understand the value of sending their children to school. He also mentors and encourages the teachers and staff of KSVS. All the while accepting no salary for his work of the heart.
As the school has grown, John has personally contributed to its construction in the form of lumber from his small forest, and additional property. The Inspiration Center is located off-campus on property donated by John and Jolly. It’s a comfortable place for visitors to stay and is an excellent example of John and Jolly’s generosity.
Since about 2015, the Chinese government has been sending workers to Uganda to construct paved roads. Soon the Chinese realized that John had a place where their workers could potentially live while working in Kamwenge. They offered to rent the Center as a place to house their construction crews, but John and Jolly turned them down, explaining the Center is for their ministry. John then sold the Ugandan government a strip of his property bordering the road to become an easement where they could install electric poles. John used the earnings to finish the Center. It is now used not only for visitors, but also a place for KSVS hospitality students to train.
John’s love of Christ and of people shines in his life through his generosity of time, talent, and treasure.
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