Dear Friend
I recently returned from a visit to Uganda on March 7. Our team included PIM-USA board member Barb Rundell and 2 others from our church. Our time overlapped by a few days with another team led by board member Mike Trout. After 3 years absence, it was a JOY to return to the campus and community, to see students and old friends.
The faith community on campus is strong and people are coming to know Jesus. Student-led worship in the Dining Hall on Sunday mornings was a highlight of our visit. The Wednesday 5:00 pm Fellowship following classes, again student-led, is vibrant and heart-felt.
The campus continues to expand, and all of this immerses students in a world far beyond their rural community, opening their eyes to future opportunities for themselves and for Kamwenge. With the help of so many American donors, the physical infrastructure of the campus supports learning in many ways. A well installed in by Northern IL and Mbarara (Uganda) Rotary Clubs in 2012 allows water to be pumped into the new Teachers Apartment Building. Electricity connected in 2016 supports professional kitchen equipment for catering classes, computer technology in the STEM Center, and lighting for classrooms and student dorms. Computers allow for classroom teaching projected on screens. Worship in the Dining Hall incorporates electronic instruments and microphones.
While there, we took part in the graduation ceremony for 57 Vocational students whose skills range from Catering and Hospitality, Brickmaking, Carpentry and Joinery, Welding and Metal Fabrication, Mechanics, and Tailoring and Knitting.
I have remarked to several people that the school not only endured the Covid lock-downs, but also thrived in ways only God could orchestrate. Classrooms are full and students are fully engaged with their teachers who are more committed to excellence than ever.
Thank you for your support and prayers.
In Christ,
~ Barb
Barbara Retelny
President
Partners in Mission
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American team participating in worship
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Vocational School Graduates
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Cosmetology teacher Zailna
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KSVS graduate Joshua (left) started the Auto Repair training program, which includes one girl
WE SPENT TIME WITH STUDENTS
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We brought story books for the Primary students and spent time reading with them.
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We brought microscope slides for a Biology class
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We brought a specialized instrument for the science department that measures air pressure.
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We taught the Health Club how to stop a serious bleed and how to apply a tourniquet.
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Easter Greetings and Message from John |
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Easter Greetings to you.
We thank God when we reflect on His suffering and death here on earth and resurrection that has earned us eternal salvation and hope. Our Lord is always at work intervening to redeem and restore mankind to his glory and purposes. He came to seek and save the lost. We are glad for the way you have allowed yourselves to be used by God to reach out to the suffering through offering holistic education that gives them a chance to live a fruitful life.
We are grateful also for the recent visit by teams from the US and vocational graduation that took place. In them we see the fruits of your commitment and passion that has fulfilled the purpose for which KSVS was established. Our hearts are always warmed by such moments when you come over and witness firsthand the work being done. Surely you can see, your labour is not in vain.
We hope that those seeds that we sow in the field (our graduates) will establish and bear good and much fruit.
We are also grateful for the ground breaking moment we had for the Carpentry and Metal Fabrication Center that launched the ongoing construction work. This will not only be a technical but business center that will use the trees planted by residents of the community and encourage families to plant more. This year we will also establish a nursery for trees, coffee, cocoa and other fruits to empower the community to transform their livelihoods.
Please receive our love and gratitude for all this and warm wishes for the Easter Season.
Blessings,
Rev. Canon John Mulindabigwi
PIM coordinator Lakes Region & Director KSVS
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Both our Annual Bike Ride and the Walk the Wildwood Event in Oregon are happening again this year. Marked your calendars and dust off your gear! Registration details coming soon. |
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10th Annual Bike Ride
August 5, 2023
This year is a milestone for us…10 years of riding, thanks to everyone who has participated. Since 2014, you have provided funds for the Kitchen and Dining Hall, the STEM Center, a Girls’ Dorm, and now we’re building and furnishing a Carpentry and Metal Working Center.
The scenic Prairie Path 55-mile route allows riders to start and end in Glen Ellyn in the early afternoon.
We love Two Hound Red Restaurant’s warm welcome of riders following the ride with friendly servers, craft beers, wine, soft drinks, and sandwiches.
The Goal: Raise funds for the multi-year project to build and furnish the new Carpentry and Metal Fabrication Center with sophisticated tools and additional space to accommodate an expanding number of students.
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Walk the Wildwood
August 12, 2023
First Pres Church Portland is excited for the 2nd annual Walk the Wildwood event which will take place on Saturday August 12, 2023. We raised over $7000 the 1st year for the new Carpentry and Metal Fabrication Center on the Kamwenge Secondary and Vocational School campus.
This year, our goal is to exceed that amount to help complete construction of and equipping the new Center.
Join us for this family-friendly event. We will have 2 guided walking routes to choose from; a 3.5-mile and a 7.5-mile option. Each route will follow trails through Washington and Forests Parks in Portland, OR and be followed by lunch (provided by Missi’pi Chef catering) at Stevens Pavilion.
Thanks to underwriting by First Presbyterian Church of Portland, 100% of registration fees and donations will go directly to the school.
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Join Our New Partners in Hope Community
We are forming a new community of friends called Partners in Hope. As KSVS has grown with more students, teachers, and classrooms, so have the costs of paying teachers, running programs, and literally keeping the lights on.
You can help us do just that by joining the Partners in Hope community for as little as $10/month. As a partner, we will send you updates on the people and activities that make up the KSVS Campus community.
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We met many students who graduated in past years and are now well on their way in their careers. Some have left Kamwenge for jobs KSVS has prepared them for. Some are studying at university. Others have returned to Kamwenge to become the leaders of future generations.
The first day in the country, as we travelled from the airport to Kamwenge, we stopped for lunch at Acacia Hotel in Mbarara for lunch. There we met KSVS graduate Dennis who was working in the kitchen. He thanks KSVS teachers Simon and Kate who helped him secure his job at Acacia.
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Sponsor a Student
More Students are in our Classrooms
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Many are awaiting a sponsor. Through sponsorship, you can be Part of the Larger Story that is emerging in Kamwenge.
Please consider sponsoring a student for $40/mo or $480/yr.
For more information or questions, email info@pim-africa.org or call 630-913-0268.
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Prayer Requests
We value your prayers for Partners in Mission and the work on the campus of Kamwenge Secondary and Vocational School in Kamwenge!
- Praise for recent visits from PIM partners from America. Visitors brought an excitement and vibrancy to KSVS.
- Pray for upcoming visits in April and May, for them to be a blessing to teachers and students alike.
- Pray for teachers and students as they begin the new school year.
- Praise and thanks for the groundbreaking on the new Carpentry and Welding Shop that took place while an American team was visiting in February.
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Groundbreaking for Carpentry and Welding Shop
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