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The area was a big field with bushes and tall grass. A group of Buhessi village leaders stood looking around and they could see something more. But even their vision could not have included the multiple buildings that would eventually define the St John Paul II Rwenzori Valley Secondary School. The last planned school building called the Library/Laboratory Building (Lib/Lab) was recently completed.

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It will interesting to see how the Secondary School puts this new resource to use. Speaking of students, the inaugural graduation class are waiting for their national test results that are expected on 10 July.  Their graduation date is set for Sunday 25 July.  We look forward to the graduation of every one of the 28 S-4 students.
With COVID-19 restrictions, we will not be sending anyone from Well Spring of Blessings to the graduation. We look forward to pictures from the graduation. We also will be sending a gift for each one of the graduates. If the recovery from COVID-19 continues we will have a goal to send a team in 2022 for the second graduation ceremony.

The St Pope John Paul II Rwenzori Valley Secondary School is a resource not only for its students, but it allows villagers to meet to discuss future plans for Buheesi. Aloysius Mugisa provided the following summary of a recent meeting.

On Sept 15th a very important meeting that was held at the secondary school.   Most of the village leaders attended the meeting where we discussed what is needed to improve household income in Buheesi.  Several strategies were discussed among them was to grow high-yield and fast=growing cowpeas which have a ready market.  Households need to be supported with tilling the land in preparation for planting.  The gas-powered tiller we talked about would be just what is needed.  The next idea was to to do piggery.  The poor in Buheesi who can build sheds with local materials would benefit from managing piglets.  This would work very well for those families that have only a little bit of land.  The third idea was small-scale poultry.  There is a ready market for eggs.

We had two agricultural and veterinary officers at the meeting.  We tasked them to provide technical expertise to the villagers for poultry farming.  They’re already giving advice for animal and crop production, which has already improved the income for many of the villagers already.  We are going to meet in one month to identify the households that can start these projects and the size of need they have.  

Above all the most important economic development project is the secondary school.  It has the long term benefits. Once the young generation gets an education, the circumstances of their households will surely change.  We are so grateful for your continued support to the school.

Aloysius also provided pictures of the meeting.

We look forward to hearing more from the initiatives that were discussed. Some of them will undoubtedly need the financialsupport of our generous donors. Please consider how you can help.

The construction crew returned to Buheesi and the St Pope John Paul II Rwenzori Valley Secondary School. Work resumed on the Library-Laboratory (LibLab) Building. September also brought some welcome news from the Ugandan Government. Classes would resume for the “graduating” classes of the Ugandan Primary and Secondary Schools on 15 Oct. The other classes (S1, S2, and S3) would resume after the first of the year. This means that teachers will also return to help handle the Secondary School’s S-4 class.

With the plan to finish this building after the first of the year, the S-4 graduating class will be able to use it to prepare for their comprehensive exams and a June graduation ceremony. We are looking for support from donors to make up the $15,000 needed to complete the LibLab Building.

Aloysius Mugisa left Dulles Airport for Uganda on the 17th of July. After a huge line at the airport with some people bringing an enormous amount of luggage…..Aloysius headed for security.  Despite an hour delay in takeoff the contracted Ethopian Airlines flight successfully landed in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and the  next flight in Uganda was on -time.  The clearance process at Entebbe Uganda airport was “cumbersome” and Aloysius didn’t arrive at his quarantine hotel until 1am on 19 July . 

Everyone on the plane had to have arranged a hotel to spend their 14 day quarantine. Aloysius’ knowledge of Kampala paid dividends as his apartment complex was a comparative luxurious place by Ugandan standards.

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The quarantine time went quickly although it was extended an extra two days due to COVID-19 testing traffic jam. Aloysius reconnect with his family. It wasn’t long and he joined Francis on site at the St Pope John Paul II Rwenzori Valley Secondary School. Even though the students were not back at the school, the construction crew was. The last building needed for the graduating class is called the Library/Laboratory Building. In this building will be a library, a chemistry lab, and a computer lab. Some generous donors have helped keep the construction moving forward, but more funds are needed to finish the job. How much you ask? The funds are $15,000 short. Maybe you are one of supporters that will get us across the finishline.

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The Ugandan Government continues to determine what actions to take in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. With that in mind they have still not opened the schools. Despite the best efforts of the secondary school administration it seems that the “senior” class will not graduate as expected in late Feb – early Mar. A new graduation date won’t be set until a decision is made to open the school, allowing the school staff to determine how long it takes for everything to be completed for the graduation. Stay tuned!

Aloysius Mugisa had spent time in Virginia, Florida, and Indiana. He was able to share about Uganda and provide teachings and mini-retreats from his very unique perspective. However, now his return to Uganda was delayed until the US and Uganda could agree to allow the large number of stranded Uganda citizens. So make the most of your time in Bill Sjoberg’s basement. With a strong internet and a solid laptop Aloysius was able to continue his Ugandan ministries. He had weekly telecons with men and women leaders in Christian in Commerce and was able to coordinate the ministry’s weekly radio program. A lot of time was available for reading and prayer. But, when the sun was out you could find Aloysius helping with yardwork or increasing his intact of vitamin D.

Aloysius also found the convenience of shopping for his favorite fruits and vegetables from the local grocery store. He couldn’t always find exactly what he wanted but it wasn’t long and he had identified good substitutes.

This wasn’t Aloysius’ first trip to the United States, so it came as a surprise that he had never eaten a hot dog. One evening, a neighbor invited Aloysius and Bill over for a barbeque and sure enough it included hot dog with all the fixings.

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On occasion dinner consisted of hamburgers from a local eatery. Aloysius was not shy about showing his appreciation.

The Sjoberg household would make a weekly dinner menu and Aloysius enjoyed the diversity of the meals. But, you can believe that his return to Uganda included the joy of having his home cooked meal.