Current Appeals
We Are The Missionaries Of Africa
Dear Friends,
“If you give someone a fish, they have a single meal.
If you teach them to fish, they will eat for a lifetime.”
Kuan-tzu (Chinese Philosopher)
It is an old saying, one that I am sure you’ve probably heard many times. But I have to admit that when I read a recent letter, I could not help but think of the proverb again – and how appropriate it is to the situation in Bukuumi, Uganda -- in East Africa. Please let me explain.
Not long ago, I received a letter from Sr. Maria Inviolata -- a missionary who is working among the poor in rural Uganda. Sr. Maria is also in charge of the convent in Bukuumi where the Sisters there minister to the needs of those in the community. Particularly, the Sisters are working to help the poorest families grow their own food for sustenance.
Uganda is one of the world’s poorest countries. More than 27 million people -- out of a population of 32 million -- live in the rural countryside of Uganda. And of those 27 million men, women and children -- about 40 percent live in poverty. These poorest Ugandans are small families who live in remote, scattered areas of the country . . . working desperately to eke out a living, sometimes just barely surviving.
In many ways, the “remoteness” in which rural Ugandans live makes them poor. The isolation they experience prevents them from being able to transport their crops and goods to large cities where they can be sold. In addition, those living in rural areas do not have access to adequate vehicles to take their crops and produce even to larger villages. Sr. Maria writes about this in her letter.
"The income of the people in this region is very low,” she explains. “Those in the community here work very hard to live a decent life -- but they need help. They need help in collecting their food from their gardens and transporting it to a market where it maybe sold. They also need help transporting feed for the few cows they have.”
"What we need for the people of the community and our Sisters,” her letter continues, “is to purchase more cows -- which would help us have more milk for the families and our Sisters. Some of the milk could also be sold in the market to provide more income.”
"The people in the community here have begun pitching in to build sheds for more cows,” Sr. Maria concludes, “but we simply do not have the money to purchase them. Is there some way you can help us?”
My friend, the people of Bukuumi and the Sisters at the convent there are doing as much as they possibly can to sustain themselves. They are pitching in to build sheds for the cows and are working as hard as they can to grow crops that can be sold to produce more income. But -- the fact is -- they are still desperately poor. And if they are to succeed, they will need someone to help them. That is why I am writing this letter to you.
Please: is there some way you can send a donation toward the purchase of more cows for their mission?
In total, I am hoping we can raise at least $30,000 for this project and to help other some of our other missions throughout Africa. I do not know how much you can send, but please know that any amount will help provide milk, vegetables, meat and so much more to those who are struggling to live. Perhaps you could send enough to purchase one cow (about $750). Thank you so very much for all that you continue to do.
Your Missionary Friend,
Denis P. Pringle
Director of Development
P.S. Whatever you decide to do, please know that you and your loved ones remain in the prayers of all of the Missionaries of Africa! God bless you for your kindness.
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