Monk's realized dream aids Uganda's orphans
By Tracey Compton tcompton@stcloudtimes.com
Published: April 25. 2006 1:30AM - Last updated: April 25. 2006 12:14PM

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COLLEGEVILLE - At 26 years old, Brother John Mary Lugemwa is surprised at how quickly he's making a dream a reality.

In just seven months, the computer science and philosophy major at St. John's University has watched his idea to start an elementary and vocational school for orphans in Ugand a take root.

The school is being built on Lugemwa's family's property back home in Masaka, Uganda. Uganda Rural Fund USA Inc., the organization Lugemwa started with friends to pursue the effort, also recently received its official nonprofit designation from the state of Massachusetts.

"The friends I've made here have made a big difference. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to do this single-handedly," Lugemwa said.

Lugemwa has been involved in many altruistic efforts since he came to St. John's. He organized a service learning trip to Africa last year and started two college clubs and the nonprofit.

 

Times photo by Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloudtimes.com Ugandan Brother John Mary Lugemwa, OSB, (center) talks Monday with St. John's University students Ben Kaster (left) and Rachel Lindor about their upcoming trips to Uganda. Lugemwa, who is studying at St. John's, is working to build an elementary school, vocational school and orphanage in Uganda.

Lugemwa came to the United States in 2001 and pursued monastic training at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond, Va. He came to St. John's in 2003 to finish his undergraduate studies.

Lugemwa wants to give back to the community that raised him by supporting education programs for children, especially those who have lost parents to HIV/AIDS, Lugemwa said.

"I experienced it myself, I know what it means," he said of growing up in elementary schools without resources.

It meant he had to stay motivated and work hard, but he also had the support of his father, who provided for his educational needs. But many orphaned children, even those living with relatives, are at a disadvantage, Lugemwa said.

Nation of orphans

In a 2004 report, the United Nations said that AIDS has killed one or both parents of an estimated 12 million children in sub-Sahara Africa. In 2003 there were an estimated 78,000 deaths in Uganda from HIV/AIDS as reported in the Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook.

Growing up in Uganda, Lugemwa said he knew there were orphans, but he didn't realize the situation was so grave and urgent until he visited Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda for a service-learning project.

"Back home they are really excited about it," Lugemwa said. "Back home you don't just belong to one family."

The school he hopes to build will not only be a resource for the 500 children he hopes to house, but also a center for the community that in a sense cares for all the children.

Family tradition

Phase one, which is being built now, is the school. Phases two and three will be student dorms and teachers' quarters, and Lugemwa hopes all will be finished in two to three years.

Uganda Rural Fund has raised about $17,000 so far for the project. Lugemwa estimates the entire complex will cost $101,000.

He has enlisted the help of educators and has received support from across the United States. He has received textbooks from a St. Paul organization, computers from California and Seattle and vocational tools from an organization in the Netherlands.

http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060425/NEWS01/104250017

St. Cloud Times, April 25^th 2006.