Members of the group in Katanga slum
Just a year ago last October four members of All Saints Church, Lydiard Millicent touched down at Entebbe Airport, Kampala, Uganda for what was their first experience of sub-Saharan Africa. Over the next 14 days they would be guests of local families, experience the bustling capital and lush green countryside, travel to the source of the Nile, be awed by wildlife and birdlife, and – across five Anglican dioceses – see how the Church is serving communities through its schools, colleges and other projects.
The first project the group visited was a charity that Francis Nkurunziza, one of the group’s drivers, co-founded in Katanga, the biggest slum in Kampala. The living conditions there and the opportunities given by Hope for Life Katanga made a deep impression.
“Visiting Katanga last year and meeting some of the people who live there was an unforgettable experience,” said Ginnie Heads, All Saints worship leader. “The vision of Hope for Life to support and enable whole families and the dedication and commitment of the staff was inspirational.”
Bev Kauppinen, a former teacher and All Saints youth and children’s worker, said, “Entering a slum of approximately twenty thousand individuals with only four functioning toilets was a profound experience. Observing women washing their infants' clothing in cold water beside an open sewer, yet still wearing smiles, was both striking and humbling.
“Transitioning to the classroom of Hope for Life, which featured a simple blackboard and a dedicated teacher, I was deeply moved by the eagerness of the students to absorb every word being taught. The stark contrast between their educational environment and that of students in the UK was eye-opening.”
Uplifting families
All Saints has been keen to maintain contact with Hope for Life and this October welcomed charity director Francis to introduce the work to the congregation. Francis explained that his life started like those of thousands in Katanga. His mother had six children by different boyfriends, and each time they deserted her because they had no adequate income.
Francis Nkurunziza speaking at an All Saints service in Lydiard Millicent Parish Hall
Although Francis was fortunate in receiving child sponsorship from a Christian charity, his own charity has adopted a different model to uplift desperately poor families. It offers financial support, vocational training and mentoring to the young mothers so that they are able to provide for their families, while it also funds their children through school.
One of the families who hosted Francis while he visited the Swindon area was that of the youngest member of the trip. Jacob Johnson (age 17) explained why he will be continuing his support for the Kampala charity: “Visiting Hope for Life Katanga has had a huge effect on me and has made me re-think what I am doing with my life. Therefore I have chosen to become a trustee with the charity to give back to the people who accepted me with open arms when I visited.”
All Saints vicar, Revd Tudor Roberts, said, “The links with Uganda here are very strong! As part of the Diocese of Bristol, our church and others in Swindon are already linked with one diocese in Uganda. As a congregation, we also began supporting a Mission Aviation Fellowship family in Kampala this year and were thrilled to host them in September.
“In November some of the members of Kampala’s AYF (Anglican Youth Fellowship) Band who are visiting the UK will be holding concerts in this area and will join us on Sunday 24 November. We look forward to African flavour they will add to our worship!”
Lindsay Shaw, All Saints Press Officer