WorldHope Corps Mission in Uganda (June 2023): Inspiring Hope, Building Resilience, and Empowering Communities
In June 2023, a gifted team of eight (8) professional volunteers from the WorldHope Corps (WHC) embarked on a 10-day training mission in Uganda. This was the first return mission to Uganda since the COVID a pandemic and we were anxious to see how all the community development projects were doing.
Our mission focused on offering women’s empowerment workshops, small business development and economic community development (aka SHALOM Skills Training) for coffee farmers, women running micro-businesses, and community leaders. Their work is an inspiring testament to the resilience, strength, and potential that lies within communities when they receive the right support and empowerment.
Saturday, 17 June 2023
Our WHC training team arrived in Entebbe, Uganda, eager to embark on the training mission. The team spent the day preparing for the community development work that lay ahead, ready to touch lives and make a difference.
Sunday, 18 June 2023
The mission kicked off with a worship service at Pastor Baamu Moses' church in Ssese. The youth sang and danced their way into our hearts. Pastor Dennis Singini, Director of WorldHope Corps Malawi, delivered an inspiring sermon, and our team members had the opportunity to share heartfelt Shalom greetings with the local congregation. The church's warm and embracing atmosphere provided a blessed and uplifting start to our work.
Monday, 19 June 2023
The Women's Empowerment workshop also took place on this day, with participants learning the skill of making antimalarial soap—a step towards self-reliance and improved community health.
We had an incredible day of Shalom training in Ssese. Over 100 dedicated Shalom farmers from seven different communities came together to learn the principles of Shalom. We also visited the Hope Tailoring School in Ssese, where several years ago, WHC provided sewing machines that are now in need of repair.
The Shalom graduation ceremony was a highlight of the week, marking the successful completion of a training program by over 130 coffee farmers and micro business owners supported by WHC Uganda. It was a joyous day of celebrating their dedication and hard work, a testament to the positive change that can occur when communities are empowered.
Tuesday, 20 June 2023
We traveled by van to Mbale in Eastern Uganda where we engaged in a fruitful consultation at the Shalom Coffee cooperative about organizational development and the potential of arabica shade coffee for export.
Wednesday, 21 June 2023
Returning to Jinja, our team took a breather at the 2Friends Hotel reflecting on the impactful work done and recharging for the tasks ahead. We took a boat trip and visited the Source of the Nile on Lake Victoria.
Thursday, 22 June 2023
Despite an unexpected vehicle breakdown on the way from Jinja to Hoima (Western Uganda), we made the most of the situation, capturing beautiful snapshots of our surroundings, and spending the night immersed in the peaceful Ugandan countryside.
Friday, 23 June 2023
Our journey continued from Hoima to Katikara Trading Centre, where we facilitated a Women's Empowerment workshop on antimalarial soap-making and held workshops on feminine hygiene pads and soap-making at the Community Boarding School. The day also saw us visit over 300 children at the school, sharing gifts, joy, and laughter. We were honored to be hosted by Pastor Mukiga, the school's director, whose dedication to community development is truly inspiring.
We visited the ‘Water is Life’ project we started in 2015. Though the Water Store and utility in Katikara was not operational, at least the borehole was still active and pumping clean water for many people.
Our week-long mission in Uganda embodied the essence of WorldHope Corps' vision of empowerment, sustainability, and community development. The hard work and dedication of the Ugandan people, combined with the collaborative efforts of our team, created an environment ripe with hope and potential for future growth. As we reflect on our mission, we are filled with gratitude and optimism for what lies ahead in our continued partnership with Uganda's thriving communities.
We thank God for the leadership of Pastor Baamu Moses and his staff who continue to lead the work of WorldHope Corps Uganda.
Ivan
WorldHopeCorps.org
