Current Appeals
We Are The Missionaries Of Africa
Dear Friends,
Please take a moment to read my letter. After
you read it, I hope you will respond as quickly as
possible. Time is critical!
Recently, I received a letter from a priest who is working in Uganda in East Africa, Fr. Emmanuel Byaruhanga. He is the rector at St. Mary’s Seminary — located in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains near the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The seminary is about 200 miles to the west of Kampala — Uganda’s largest city.
At the seminary — as with most communities throughout Africa — the basic necessities
of life can never be taken for granted. Throughout East Africa, especially in East Africa, the lack
of adequate water and the accompanying famine have claimed thousands upon thousands of lives. The decades-long drought is affecting the young men living at St. Mary’s Seminary as well.
At this moment, St. Mary’s Seminary is home to nearly 100 young men who are preparing
for ordination as priests — men who will be serving in some of Africa’s harshest and most
remote regions. Since most of them are African by birth, they have experienced the pain of drought many times. Unfortunately, they are now experiencing it at the seminary.
"We are in dire need of a source of clean water,” Fr. Emmanuel writes in his letter. In
East Africa, droughts have become annual because of the negative impacts of climate change upon the region. “The pond we have relied on for water in the past is quickly drying up,” he continues.“Now, what water there is left in the pond is not clean enough for drinking.”
“We have purchased gutters to attach to all of the buildings around the seminary,”
Fr. Emmanuel explains.When rainfall does finally come to western Uganda — instead of rainwater running off of the roofs and being soaked into the parched ground — the gutters will channel the water towards the downspouts located at the corner of every building. The rainwater will then travel through long pipes and into giant storage tanks. The water can then be stored and used as needed — for drinking, bathing, cooking and even for vegetable gardens. This type of water conservation is called “water harvesting.” It is a very effective method used in many villages and communities … but there is one big problem.
While Fr. Emmanuel has been able to purchase gutters and even hang them on the buildings, the seminary does not have enough money to purchase the rest of the materials that are needed.
"We need four storage tanks to hold enough water to provide a reliable and effective water supply for the seminary community. We also will need cement, stone, sand, pipes
and other materials to complete the project. Is there any way possible you can help us?”
Along with Fr. Emmanuel’s request, I also received a handwritten note from one of our missionaries working in Uganda—Fr. LaFlamme—explaining how critical the work of the seminary is to the entire region!
My friend is there some way you can help provide water storage tanks for St. Mary’s
Seminary in Fort Portal? As Fr. Emmanuel wrote in his letter — in addition to the large water
holding tanks, the system will also require pipes, cement, stone and various other materials.
My hope is that we can raise at least $40,000 for Fr. Emmanuel and for other missions in need
of clean water!
I know that this continues to be a very difficult time for many people. But please know
that any amount you can send will be a real blessing for the young men studying for priesthood at the seminary. They desperately need a reliable source of clean water to sustain them in all that they are currently doing and for the ministry and outreach these good men will offer to others in the years to come. Without a doubt, any amount you can send will help. God bless you for your kindness and generosity.
Your Missionary Friend,
Denis P. Pringle
Director of Development
P.S. Uganda's dry season is just starting. If we can get help to them soon, the water storage tanks could be in place before the rains begin to fall in the spring. Please let me hear from you soon!
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