THROUGH EDUCATION COMES CHANGE

Dear Friends,

“Get the children out of the dirt, and into desks, and everything will change,” were the powerful words spoken by Ogali Alfred, Headmaster of Amilo Primary School, in the remote village of Alenga, Uganda. The moment those words were spoken, my life changed.

 Ever since I was a little girl I heard a whisper…”Come to Africa”. In 2009 the whisper, now a loud voice, propelled me to finally go. My daughter, Erin, and I were welcomed by Father Stanislas Atipoupou, a brilliant visionary Comboni missionary priest who took us to his village - Alenga.

Knowing their were many children who were orphans and children were raising children, I went on my first mission to Uganda imagining starting what did not exist at the time, Mothers Without Borders. However, it was there in Alenga, that my heart was broken wide-open, and I knew a different plan had been created for me. Never had I seen such poverty - such misery. Yet, at the same time, never had I witnessed and experienced such joy. And never had I been welcomed and received the way we were received, just becaue we came.

As a mother, educator, and spiritual director I knew having an Education was critical. Every child deserves to be educated. This basic human right is what fuels dreams and the opportunity to meet their full potential. It is my hope that one day every child in Alenga will go to school and make their dreams a reality and better the lives of their families.

To make these dreams come true communities of people are needed. I have seen how the communal power of compassion moves mountains. It empowers us to work together to allow change to take hold. U4Uganda was founded on these principles: U COME, U SERVE, U CARE, and then U CHANGE.

Thank you for coming to our website to learn more about the people of Alenga, Uganda and our desire to serve these people in love and humility. They have captured our minds and our hearts. They have shown us the deepest meaning of what it means to be family. On behalf of our Alenga family, we hope you will join us on our mission to improve all aspects of Education, most especially “Lifting-Up the children out of the dirt and into desks.”

With Love, Hope and Deep Gratitude.

Dolores Bopp Potterton

President and Founder

Dear Friends:

Greetings from Alenga, Uganda. My name is Fr. Stanislas Atipoupou, and I am a Comboni missionary priest who has been given the responsibility and privilege to serve the people of Alenga, since 2006.

The day-to-day challenges of the people I shepherd are many; all families live in poverty. However, they remain full of joy and hope, because they know they are loved by God and trust in the goodness of people like you to help them become self-independent.

Education furthers self-reliance, and U4Uganda’s mission is 100% dedicated to improving all aspects of education in Alenga. I have witnessed the power of lifting children out of the dirt and into desks. I have seen the smiles appear on their faces when they sit in their desk – in comfort… with dignity - no longer sitting down in the dirt. The desks give Hope.

I thank you, and invite you to join me and U4Uganda in this ministry of love to invest in the children of Alenga so they can overcome poverty and shape a better tomorrow for themselves, their families, their communities and their future children.

God bless you and your families,

Fr. Stan

Pastor of Alenga Catholic Parish