Projects

Projects in Uganda.....

Our Mission.....

To reflect God's love in the world, we work in partnership with Ugandans to develop sustainable learning communities that model effective education, conservation, health care, and economic development.

The Vision... Learn more about the Project Vision: Click here....

A Partnership between Ugandans and
Americans has resulted in some big
victories over poverty in the town of Lukaya.

Lf to rt: Headmaster Robert Inyalio of Mustard Seed Academy,MSA Headboy Danniel Sewerdda, Tree of Life Ministries' Project Manager David Bakeine, RPU Executive Director Elaine Griswold, RPU President Joe Griswold

Mustard Seed Academy.....

Mustard Seed Academy, Nursery and Primary School run by Tree of Life Ministries

When Mustard Seed Academy opened in January 2009, we welcomed over 150 sponsored children who live in Lukaya, a truck stop town along the main highway in southern Uganda. They had been attending other schools in the town, none of which provided the educational support and approaches to teaching and learning that are most effective for children from poor backgrounds. Our continuing mission is to serve the orphans and poor families of this struggling community by providing high quality pre- and primary school education that enable children to become life-long learners. The school emerged from a partnership between Ugandan leaders and American sponsors coordinated by Real Partners Uganda. Learn more about Mustard Seed Academy.....

Medicinal Gardens.....

Disease and poor nutrition are serious problems among the poor in Uganda. Most cannot afford the medicines and nutritious diet needed for good health. The life expectancy of a Ugandan is about 43 years. Many children die before the age of 5 years from preventable, curable diseases because they cannot access health care. Supported by Real Partners Uganda, Tree of Life Ministries is developing a medicinal garden to produce plants that can prevent and/or cure common diseases, such as malaria, that afflict both children and adults. One effective malaria cure is made from dried leaves of Artemisia, and the protein, vitamin and mineral content of our students' diet can be improved dramatically with powder made from leaves of the Moringa tree (Miracle tree). Teachers have been trained through ANAMED (Action for Natural Medicine) workshops, and we are growing productive gardens and healthier students and staff. To learn more see Medicinal Gardens on the Nutrition and Health page.....
Aloe planted near the side of an ANAMED clinic is one of the many plants that will grow in the new Medicinal Gardens.

Environmentally Friendly Practices.....

Interlocking Soil Stabilized Blocks made without firing

Human activity of 31 million citizens in tiny Uganda is having devastating impacts on the soil, water, and air, to say nothing of the disappearing wild areas. Real Partners Uganda is committed to carrying out its development and operations in ways that minimize environmental damage while building up the soil for organic agricultural and providing clean water. Already we have taken some dramatic steps to achieve these goals including the use of new high efficiency stoves that cut wood consumption and pollution by half, the installation of composting toilets that replace deep pit latrines which foul the ground water, and several others you may read about by following the link to Conservation and Technology.....

Community Support Program.....

While there is, in theory, free universal primary education in Uganda, students or their families must pay for school beyond Primary 7. Most students, even ones with excellent records, cannot afford to continue their educations. RPU provides support for scholarship programs operated by our Ugandan partners that help promising students who have completed primary school to attend a secondary or trade school. The further training prepares them for advanced study or jobs in the community. This small, selective program helps young people with a variety of vocational objectives ranging from being beauty operators, to becoming auto mechanics, to pursuing a career in medicine. It is focused primarily on young women who typically receive little or no support for education from their families.

Community Support Program Scholar Asraf (left) with US volunteer Luke Culleny. Asraf, a top secondary student headed to university, works on Tree of Life projects between terms.

Kalungi Solar Water Project.....

Our original inspiration for Real Partners Uganda happened through an experience in the small rural village of Kalungi that lies 2 kilometers outside of Lukaya. We have, since 2005, supported several projects there including St. Stephen's Church of Uganda, St. Stephen's Government School, a CBO called Kalungi Orphans and Needy Booster Club, and Kalungi Health Centre. The dramatic story of how RPU supported rebuilding of a solar powered water system for the village can be found by following this link. Click here to learn more....

New solar panels are mounted to power the water pump that will supply the entire village of Kalungi

Service Safaris.....

Male Red Bishop in Uganda

RPU volunteers may take advantage of our Service Safari trips to Uganda. We try to tailor these safaris in a way that matches the special interests and skills of the travelers with the needs of our project so that there is mutual benefit for both visitors and Tree of Life Ministries. A working period in Lukaya of 5-7 days minimum is recommended and visitors are encouraged to interact with adults in the community as well as the MSA children.

Wild Uganda is a place of spectacular landscapes and water ways populated by large game animals like lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, and cape buffalo, plus an abundance of birds (over 1000 species) nearly unrivaled in the world. In some parks, walking tours are available, and housing can range from simple bandas to luxury platform tents to cabins or hotel rooms. The naturalists/guides are superb, and we have special contacts with some of the best.

Coming at us. A young male lion in Queen Elizabeth National Park

A 3-5 day safari to the national parks and villages is recommended for an unforgettable eco-travel experience.

We warn all potential volunteers that a two-week service safari will cause personal change and growth in fundamental ways. If you don't care to change, maybe think about a different activity. It is truly a safari---a journey into a different place. To find out more email us at realpartnersuganda@gmail.com.

Support of Other Charities in Lukaya.....

Tree of Life Ministries, supported by RPU, works closely with two other charitable organizations that have programs in the Lukaya area. An orphanage called Eagles Wings Children's Village (EWCV) was founded by Canadians (http://eagleswingschildrensvillage.com/contact) and is in a rural village close to town. A second Ugandan-run organization, Hope Destitute Children's Centre (Hope DCC) works with street children and youth, having its primary funding from a British charity (http://www.hopedcc.org/index.html). In addition to supporting one another in Lukaya, Real Partners Uganda receives and credits donations from the United States for both organizations and transfers them to their Ugandan accounts.