Warm welcome in Uganda for team from Christ Church, Lisburn

Monday February 23rd 2015

Helping at a class in St Apollo School.

The team from Christ Church Parish, Lisburn, has received a warm welcome in the community in Lowero, Uganda, where it funded a new school

The 14 members are teaching and running other activities in St Apollo School, Kasizi, Luwero, which was built with funds raised by parishioners in partnership with Fields of Life. The first two blocks were completed in 2012 and a team from Christ Church travelled out to finish work on the buildings, work with the children and support the local community and church.

The school sign.

Since then, Christ Church’s support for the school has continued through provision of books and desks for pupils, a rain water project, purchasing land for growing crops and through child sponsorship by parishioners.

The parish’s project for 2015 was to raise funds for the staff residence which would create a more settled environment for teachers and create greater stability for the school, and the parish’s fundraising target of £24,000 was exceeded.

The present Luwero team left for Uganda on February 18, and will return on March 2.

On Sunday, the rector of Christ Church, the Rev Paul Dundas, was guest preacher in St Apollo Church in Kasizi.

Some of the children the Christ Church team has met in Luwero.

In a brief update, Paul wrote: “Had a wonderful service at St Apollo church which started 45 minutes late!!! Preached on Lydia’s conversion and community transformation. The service was led by Canon Eridard, Bishop elect of Luwero.”

Paul continued: “Spent Monday at the school with the team delivering a hand washing programme, a RE lesson on Peter and the men working on building the sewing machines and building a bookcase.”

Worship in St Apollo Church on Sunday.

He added: “We have been warmly welcomed and blessed and look forward to the programme this week and the opening of the staff accommodation on Friday.”

In Uganda with Paul are: Beth Harris, Beverley Ringland, Roberta Thompson, Anita Evans, Jane Marks, Emma Jane Marks, Audrey Knowles, Jayne Logan, Johnston Boyle, Raymond Geddis, Patrick Logan, Colin Mitchell and Gary Knowles.