I have been in my new job for one month tomorrow. Which means I finished at Children of the Nations, three months ago - I took six weeks off between jobs, I called it "retirement". What a blessing that was.
What does Pilgrim Africa Do?
Pilgrim Africa focuses on TWO areas in ONE country-
- Education - secondary school, agriculture, tertiary.
- Malaria Eradication.
Beacon of Hope Secondary School was started to educate children as well as counsel them through war trauma. All of the children had experienced severe horror at the hands of the Lords Resistance Army. The school now has over 500 students, and is frequently a top performer in the region. The focus of class is on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Known as STEM. The school teaches using robotics problem solving, and hands on learning.
Uganda has one of the highest rates of Malaria in the world. Tens of thousands suffer every year, with many many children dying from Malaria. For those that don't die, it is an ongoing burden on their health - children lose school days, and adults miss work. For some this means losing harvests or their jobs. Malaria is an ongoing disaster for the Ugandan people. Pilgrim Africa is fighting this with testing and treatment, vector control, education, and national advocacy in Uganda - the government can really be a powerful ally, if they have the will.
Why?
Population- Uganda has the youngest population of any country in the world. This means it has huge potential for innovation, and success but also potential for disaster.
Grass root change is vital - Pilgrim Africa was started in Uganda, by Ugandans, as a response to war, poverty, and disease. This change is sustainable, and inspirational. This is not Western driven change.
Malaria must be stopped - Malaria is the biggest killer in history. Children should not die, families should not be broken because of a mosquito bite in the 21st Century. Uganda can be the poster child for the rest of Africa.
Uganda needs different education - Uganda needs innovative problem solvers. Old fashioned, memorization - as is standard in public education - does not generate this kind of entrepreneurial spirit.
Food security is essential. With a majority rural population, farming is a huge part of every day life. With little money for inputs such as fertilizers, lack of access to credit, low education level, and no crop insurance - families are very vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations in price or weather or exchange rates.
What is our biggest need?
We need more partners for the Beacon of Hope School. The program has enormous potential. The youngest population in the world, armed with problem solving, innovative learning, can make huge changes for Uganda. With more regular funding the school can move to make more improvements to the learning environment, and materials used. We need you. Hope made real, by you, for them.
Go to our website. It will be the best thing you do today.
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