About the Partners......
The Partnership
"Partners" work together, collaborating in an effort to reach some important goal. Their commitment shows in the contributions of time, talent and resources to that quest. At Real Partners Uganda we are united in a fight against the root causes of poverty and suffering in one of the neediest and most unlikely places you can imagine. It is the truck stop town of Lukaya (see the map...) where about 20,000 permanent residents encounter the daily traffic of truckers and tourists that move through town on the main highway between Kampala to the East and the large game parks and central African countries to the west. The citizens of Lukaya face all the hazards of highway towns, drugs, prostitution and venereal disease, homelessness, dangerous, noisy truck traffic---all in addition to the widespread poverty that grips this little trading center.
It is here that more than five hundred Americans have sent their resources and representatives to work with Ugandans to move mountains of poverty and provide hope, especially to the most innocent victims--- the orphans and vulnerable children of Lukaya. Just recently, one of our leaders in Uganda emailed us with the tragic news that a little girl in our youngest nursery class (Baby Class) had been sent by her mother to buy some food a few doors down from where they live along the main highway. Not unusual at all in Lukaya where children run errands and carry water from an early age. The child was walking safely, well off the road when a speeding tractor trailer zoomed by and one of its tires flew off, careening across the shoulder and striking the little girl 30 feet away. This precious 3-year-old died instantly. Lukaya is a hard place to live for everyone, especially children. It is one of those places on earth that needs God's love in very concrete ways; it is where Real Partners Uganda works with the Ugandan organization, Tree of Life Ministries, to provide children--and grownups as well--with opportunities to lead a better life.
Real Partners Uganda is in the business of forming working relationship, here in the United States and in Uganda, to empower Ugandans in the fight against mountains of poverty and suffering that casts a dark shadow over Lukaya and its children. Won't you consider becoming a partner in this effort? On this page we introduce you to a few of the more than 500 partners here who are actively engaged in the struggle. Many of us have gained the rewards of new personal relationships with people in Uganda, as we practice our school slogan: "We can move mountains."
It is here that more than five hundred Americans have sent their resources and representatives to work with Ugandans to move mountains of poverty and provide hope, especially to the most innocent victims--- the orphans and vulnerable children of Lukaya. Just recently, one of our leaders in Uganda emailed us with the tragic news that a little girl in our youngest nursery class (Baby Class) had been sent by her mother to buy some food a few doors down from where they live along the main highway. Not unusual at all in Lukaya where children run errands and carry water from an early age. The child was walking safely, well off the road when a speeding tractor trailer zoomed by and one of its tires flew off, careening across the shoulder and striking the little girl 30 feet away. This precious 3-year-old died instantly. Lukaya is a hard place to live for everyone, especially children. It is one of those places on earth that needs God's love in very concrete ways; it is where Real Partners Uganda works with the Ugandan organization, Tree of Life Ministries, to provide children--and grownups as well--with opportunities to lead a better life.
Real Partners Uganda is in the business of forming working relationship, here in the United States and in Uganda, to empower Ugandans in the fight against mountains of poverty and suffering that casts a dark shadow over Lukaya and its children. Won't you consider becoming a partner in this effort? On this page we introduce you to a few of the more than 500 partners here who are actively engaged in the struggle. Many of us have gained the rewards of new personal relationships with people in Uganda, as we practice our school slogan: "We can move mountains."
Meet Kristen Pettet, RPU's Health Program Coordinator.....
Kristen Pettet with students in Uganda
Kristen Pettet's work as a volunteer at Mustard Seed Academy during 2012 has been inspirational for partners in Uganda and the United States. Trained as a Health Educator at Western Washington University, Bellingham, she used her considerable skill set to help design and implement five major health programs for children at the school. These are described on another page of this website. Children at Mustard Seed are ambassadors for good health practices because of her Child to Child project. Malaria infections are declining rapidly because Kristen organized a program to grow an anti-malarial herb called Artemisia and introduce it as a tea infusion that is taken by all students and staff. The Tree of Life Children's Clinic that serves the 450 Mustard Seed children has a well-organized medical records system. And, working in conjunction with RPU Board members Kathryn and Dana Hiscock, she implemented the Afri-Pad system for menstruating girls and women.
Kristen has returned to the United States and is now serving as Sponsorship Coodinator for our secondary school students.
Kristen has returned to the United States and is now serving as Sponsorship Coodinator for our secondary school students.
Donors
Mother and daughters sponsors.
At this point we have hundreds of "partners," who make contributions, large and small. Real Partners Uganda has received donations, so far, from individuals and families, churches, schools, and civic organizations. Over 95% of all money donated goes directly to the projects in Uganda. Members of the RPU Board of Directors work without compensation, cover some office and operating expenses, and pay for their own travel to Uganda.
As of the end of 2012, RPU received support from 500 individuals and groups. It is our goal to establish personal connections between the donors and the children or teachers they sponsor. In Sponsor-A-Child, for example, each sponsor receives a picture of the child and a small 'bio' prepared by the teacher every year or more often. There are many ways donors help Ugandan children live better lives.
Real Partners Uganda has been the recipient of several grants from foundations that work to address poverty and the scourge of HIV/AIDS. For more ideas see Donations...
As of the end of 2012, RPU received support from 500 individuals and groups. It is our goal to establish personal connections between the donors and the children or teachers they sponsor. In Sponsor-A-Child, for example, each sponsor receives a picture of the child and a small 'bio' prepared by the teacher every year or more often. There are many ways donors help Ugandan children live better lives.
Real Partners Uganda has been the recipient of several grants from foundations that work to address poverty and the scourge of HIV/AIDS. For more ideas see Donations...
Real Partners Uganda......a 501(c)(3) non-profit
Real Partners Uganda was organized informally in 2004. As our work in Uganda grew and became more complex we applied for non-profit status with the Federal Government and the State of New Jersey. Real Partners Uganda, Inc. received official approval as a tax-exempt corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code with charitable registration status on August 10, 2006. Our federal EIN is 20-5236756. For questions about our bank account or New Jersey charitable registration number please Contact Us.....
Much of the RPU administrative work is done by Elaine Griswold, who serves as Executive Director. Jackie Sarner, Kathryn Hiscock, and Kristen Pettet coordinate the Sponsor-A-Child and Sponsor-A-Teachers programs. Members of the Board, Advisors, and volunteers contribute to the newsletter, and work actively in networking and fund-raising. Joe and Elaine Griswold and Dana and Kathryn Hiscock give most of the presentations to donor organizations. A group of RPU leaders travels to Uganda, usually twice a year, for at least a month, to work with our partners in Tree of Life Ministries. Individual board members, and advisor Judy Sconyers, have each made several (up to 12) visits to Lukaya since November 2003. Between visits we are in frequent email contact with the Ugandan leaders, and talk to them regularly by phone. An increasing number of volunteers travel to Uganda to work with Tree of Life Ministries for short or long-term stays. In 2010, 15 Americans worked on site.
Much of the RPU administrative work is done by Elaine Griswold, who serves as Executive Director. Jackie Sarner, Kathryn Hiscock, and Kristen Pettet coordinate the Sponsor-A-Child and Sponsor-A-Teachers programs. Members of the Board, Advisors, and volunteers contribute to the newsletter, and work actively in networking and fund-raising. Joe and Elaine Griswold and Dana and Kathryn Hiscock give most of the presentations to donor organizations. A group of RPU leaders travels to Uganda, usually twice a year, for at least a month, to work with our partners in Tree of Life Ministries. Individual board members, and advisor Judy Sconyers, have each made several (up to 12) visits to Lukaya since November 2003. Between visits we are in frequent email contact with the Ugandan leaders, and talk to them regularly by phone. An increasing number of volunteers travel to Uganda to work with Tree of Life Ministries for short or long-term stays. In 2010, 15 Americans worked on site.
Article in Bergen Record 2010: http://www.northjersey.com/community/98187319_Two_New_Jersey_couples_found_charity_to_help_Ugandan_schoolchildren.html
The RPU Board of Directors
The following are personal statements contributed by the RPU Board members and advisors
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Diane Falk, PhD......Director
I am a professor of social Work and Director of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. I helped create New Jersey’s Baccalaureate Child Welfare Education Program to prepare social workers for careers in child welfare. Because of my interest in international social work, I led a number of study tours for social work students, visiting child welfare agencies in various countries. Witnessing the effects of poverty on children in South Africa, I sought an opportunity to volunteer in an African country. When I met the Griswolds, I jumped at the chance to accompany them to Uganda (in February 2010). There I did field research in the homes of children that attend Mustard Seed Academy to learn about the problems that vulnerable children and their families are facing in Lukaya. That research was useful in advocating for the hiring of a social worker for the school and in conceiving a program called "Child to Child" that is under |
development at Mustard Seed Academy. At my church, I work with our Mission Committee in supporting the work of Real Partners Uganda.
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Elaine E. Griswold, Executive Director
RPU Executive Director Elaine Griswold & Friends
After years of teaching Biology, raising two children, enjoying 3 lovely granddaughters, and traveling frequently to Central America, a long dreamed-of trip to East Africa in 2003 changed my life forever. The thrill of observing African wildlife in their natural habitats, the beauty of those habitats, and the resiliency, hospitality and joy of the African people contrasted dramatically with the burgeoning populations encroaching on the wild areas, and the over-whelming poverty. A visit to the village of Kalungi starting with St. Stephen's Primary School, and including the Kalungi Health Centre, and the local church made a lasting and haunting impression. "We must do something!" Over time that "something" began to take shape: first as a pen pal project, then, championing the opening of a nursery school/child care center in the town of Lukaya, then helping with the feeding and care of orphans at the Kalungi Primary School, and periodic gifts to the Kalungi Health Centre. Today, my time is spent traveling to Uganda, networking here in the USA, promoting Real Partners and communicating with Ugandan partners at Tree of Life Ministries.
Joseph G. Griswold, Ph.D., President and Chairman of the Board
I retired from the City College of New York, C.U.N.Y. in 2002 after 31 years of biology teaching and research. During the last half of my career, a colleague and I worked on improving science education at the college level with funding from the National Science Foundation, and eventually founded a small company called Science Learning Workshop to develop and produce the laboratory models we had invented and patented. Teaming with my wife Elaine Griswold, we led many study trips to Belize, Central America for high school students and mission groups, pursuing our love for wildlife, especially in the rainforest and on corral reef habitats of Central America. Following retirement, we traveled on safari to East Africa and our lives have never been the same. This website tells the story of what happened in a small town called Lukaya. RPU President Dr. Joe Griwold at Lukaya 2012 wedding of General Manager George Kateregga. 2,000 guests came.
Dana W. Hiscock, Director
Director Dana W. Hiscock, Esq.
I have been a Trusts and Estates and Exempt Organizations lawyer in New York City for over forty years, where I am currently of counsel at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, LLP. Over the years I have been involved in many charitable activities. Two are noteworthy in that they reflect on my role with RPU. I am a Director of the New York City based Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, which helps the economically underprivileged and where I have served as Board Chair and am now Chair of its Public Social Policy Committee. I am currently Board Chair of GreenFaith, an inter-faith organization that promotes economic and social justice and the stewardship of the earth's resources. Those interests, our faith as committed Christians and our love of hiking and nature travel led my wife and me to Kalungi and Lukaya, Uganda. There we met people who had dreams, intelligence and ambition and who just needed a chance. So we have committed ourselves to Kalungi and Lukaya, where, working through RPU, we seek to help young people to obtain an education that will give them a helpful start. By helping them, we are also helping their parents and the larger community. Working with RPU has given us a conduit to make a difference in a far off place where the need is greatest.
Kathryn B. Hiscock, Vice President & SAC Family Coordinator
Vice-President Kathryn B. Hiscock & friends from Rapha's House
I am a retired chemist and artist from Northern New Jersey. My husband and I are committed Christians and avid hikers. Our church connections led us to include a side trip to Kalungi as a part of a Kenya/Uganda safari in 2003. There the small village and its people -- young and old -- changed the course of our lives forever. I began and continue to communicate with the priest at St. Stephen's church in Kalungi and that has led to the church being expanded and refurbished and a new rectory being built. Those experiences made us realize that it only takes a little to make a big difference in Uganda. Now we work in collaboration with our RPU members to provide more opportunities for the larger community of Lukaya. Part of my responsibility at RPU is overseeing the Sponsor A Child Family (SACF) and Sponsor a Teacher (SAT) programs.
Jackie Sarner, Secretary of the Board and Sponsor a Child Coordinator
Jackie Sarner, SAC Coordinator and Secretary of the RPU Board
As a mother of two grown children, a grandmother of three, a former educator and a retired learning consultant, I still feel called to act as a child advocate in any way possible. As a volunteer with CASA of Atlantic County, I advocate for children in the foster care system. Combined with my love of nature, I volunteer at our local Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, often working with children who come to visit. After meeting Joe and Elaine Griswold at our Community Presbyterian Church and hearing about their experiences in Uganda, I was touched by their story and decided to accompany them on their next trip. Little did I realize it would be such a life-changing experience! Currently, I am responding to a need as Coordinator of the Sponsor-A-Child Program in which I oversee the matching of sponsors in the States with children who desperately need the help of Tree of Life Ministries. I have returned to Lukaya with my Partners a total of three times—it is such a joy to see the children begin to thrive because of the support and commitment of RPU and TOLM.
Lee Whitton......Director
 Lee Whitton, Educator & Mobilizer
"As the first counselor in the district from which I retired, I had the opportunity to develop the counseling program for K – 8. I worked 26 years advocating for, supporting and teaching children to manage their adversities. I was also involved in the implementation of the No Child Left Behind law. Jackie Sarner and I ran workshops for districts on the racism and poverty related to the achievement gap in NCLB test results."
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 Students at Mustard Seed welcome Lee Whitton "I sponsor a Mustard Seed Academy child and have followed her growth from a waif to a healthy 12 year old. Wanting to know more about her and her environment, I traveled with the Griswolds to Uganda in February 2010. The experience changed my life from the inside out. I have vowed to spend the coming years growing partnerships with RPU that will lead to its goals being realized for the children of Lukaya." In April 2011 Lee spear-headed a very successful Auction at her church to benefit Real Partners Uganda and Mustard Seed Academy. Developing clusters of committed people in one area is an important way for RPU to grow. Thanks, Lee! |
The RPU Board Advisors
Judy Sconyers, Advisor to the Board
I am a librarian by profession, and I love to travel. Nothing in my life prepared me for my reaction to my first visit to Uganda in 2006 and to the town of Lukaya in particular. The hardworking women and the charming children captured my heart, and I have been helping through Real Partners in the ways that I am able to provide educational opportunities and health support for some of the children in the community. I have returned to Lukaya three more times with the Board members of Real Partners Uganda to witness the ever expanding child care project, the development of the property, and the growth of the children.
RPU Advisor Judy Sconyers
RPU Advisor Judy Sconyers
The Rev. John R. Scotland, Advisor to the Board
Rev. Scotland has served as pastor at Community Presbyterian Church in Brigantine, NJ for the last 20 years. During that time he has been instrumental in the development and operation of Sister Jean’s Kitchen in nearby Atlantic City. That operation feeds meals to about 500 poor and homeless people each day. He currently serves as Executive Director for Friends of Jean Webster. At the church he takes special responsibility for the Crossroads Youth Program that invites all teens from the city of Brigantine to participate. His background and dedication to community organizing and serving the poor has been especially helpful in advising the Board of RPU and supporting fund-raising efforts. Under Reverend Scotland's leadership, Community Presbyterian Church made the original grant in 2004 that launched the Uganda Project.
Volunteers....
Every year volunteers come to Uganda where they make new friendships, meet the children they sponsor, and use their talents and resources to advance the project. All of them pay for their own airfare to Uganda and their living expenses on the ground. Making the trip is a significant sacrifice of time and resources, but all of them go back "fed" and changed by the experience. Working in a developing country as exotic as Uganda puts volunteers in a new world with a different way of life, and gives each person a new appreciation for how blessed we are living in the United States. The number of volunteers has been climbing every year, and in the February 2013 trip alone, 22 volunteers will be working at our project. We have opportunities for both short and long-term volunteering. Email us to learn more at the Contact Us...page. Below are short articles about three recent volunteers.
Ken Bennett......Partner and Volunteer
 Partner & Volunteer Ken Bennett
Ken Bennett has been an RPU partner for over three years and traveled in October 2012 on his first visit to Uganda. There he met Hirat, the child he sponsors and developed a special working relationship with Teacher Anthony whom he also supports. Together they are working on improvements to a demonstration (teaching) garden at the Nursery Campus dedicated to the memory of his late wife Diane.
Retired from his career in business, Ken runs his own farm in Western Pennsylvania. He is using his expertise to make the Tree of Life poultry project at MSA an income-generating business. Real Partners Uganda has benefited greatly from Ken's fund-raising efforts, that last of which was a "Raise the Roof" campaign to support roofing the school's Campus Life Centre. Ken's work, enthusiasm, and interest in our work make him an exemplary partner. |
Deanna McMillian.... Partner and Volunteer
Partner & Volunteer Deanna McMillian
Deanna McMillian lives in West Virginia and has been a long-time supporter of Real Partners Uganda. In the Fall of 2012, she made her first trip to Uganda on a Service Safari with us. With her many talents and interests (she is a CPA with a Masters in social work), she went to work improving the financial management in the Tree of Life office and coordinating it with our system in America.
But her big focus was on forming relationships with the children and teachers, especially the orphans and homeless children in Rapha's House. Our November 2012 newsletter details her story about the experience of spending a 24-hour period learning about a day in the life of these children as they attend school and engage in the family life in their special home. It was quite an adventure.
We look forward to Deanna's continuing involvement in RPU and appreciate the her unique, humorous ways of ministering to children and adults in the project.
But her big focus was on forming relationships with the children and teachers, especially the orphans and homeless children in Rapha's House. Our November 2012 newsletter details her story about the experience of spending a 24-hour period learning about a day in the life of these children as they attend school and engage in the family life in their special home. It was quite an adventure.
We look forward to Deanna's continuing involvement in RPU and appreciate the her unique, humorous ways of ministering to children and adults in the project.
Mike Grant....Partner and Volunteer
Partner & Volunteer Mike Grant
Mike Grant was a school classmate of RPU president Joe Griswold in Grand Rapids, Michigan where they both grew up. He joined the October 2012 Service Safari along with the other volunteers featured above to bring his special skills in writing and a love of children to Uganda. He spent time with the child he sponsors and worked with long-term volunteer, Kristen Pettet, to establish a writing workshop for a group of children at MSA. His background as an editor at a major newspaper in southwestern Michigan, enabled him to teach and encourage children to tell their stories. Many kids were so enthused that they took paper and pencils home to do more writing after the workshops. For the first time, many saw writing as a potential career choice. We look forward to publishing the children's stories as well as Mike's reflections on this website, in our newsletters and in other ways. Mike is a valuable new addition to our partnership.
Tree of Life Ministries......Our Ugandan Partners
Tree of Life Ministries (TOLM) is the Ugandan organization we helped to organize with our partners in Lukaya. It is temporarily a "Company Limited by Guarantee" as we proceed through the long process of obtaining the status of an NGO (non-governmental organization). TOLM is also fully licensed as a community based organization (CBO) in the District of Kalungu. TOLM is staffed and run entirely by Ugandans with its own constitution and bylaws, bank accounts, and personnel management procedures. Tree of Life Ministries derives income primarily through grants from RPU but also raises some money locally through sustainable, income-generating projects. The long term plan is for TOLM to become self-sustaining economically, and several of its joint initiatives with RPU are focused on that important goal. For more information about Tree of Life Ministries, Click here.....
