Heart hugs to all our benefactors

Thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of our Sacred Heart family around the world, our new Sacred Heart school in Uganda will open at the beginning of the new academic year in early February. Sacred Heart alumni, students and parents of students around the world are among the many people who are helping us achieve this milestone — the first Sacred Heart school in East Africa.

The school planning committee has begun interviewing families and prospective students and to develop the educational plan.

As coordinator of development, I am working on additional funding for special projects, such as a water bore hole, educational materials, equipment for handicapped students, convent housing, a kitchen facility, solar lighting, and a tuition fund for orphans. A large number of African children have lost one or both parents to the AIDS epidemic and other illnesses.

Sister Anne Nankusu will serve as head of the new school. She is presently in Rome preparing for her final profession to the Society of the Sacred Heart.

Imagine the Sisters pouring over plans for the studies program and temporary office locations, wondering how we will cook and serve the meals until we have a kitchen from which to work, meeting with families and children who want to be part of our first classes. Imagine also the little ones shyly greeting the Religious of the Sacred Heart who are on site daily now, exploring where their classrooms might be, offering to do little chores to help with their new school

The pictures here help to tell the story. My favorite is the one showing little girls dressed in their Sunday best and imagining themselves as new students as they try out classroom desks. Their smiles keep us going. Watching the girls watch us go about our business on the school plant is a delight and gives us a tangible sense of the hope this new school will bring to many young girls and their families.

Join us in celebrating this new venture filled with hope. Thanks to people like yourself and God’s grace this dream is coming true.