Around the World: A heart for Africa

 St. Cloud Times, April 2006

Around the World: A heart for Africa By Dawn Peake dmpeake@stcloudtimes.com Click to listen: Hello, how are you? Goodbye, see you later. Thank you very much. What is your name? My name is John Mary Lugemwa. COLLEGEVILLE — John Mary Lugemwa left his African homeland in 2001 to serve in the United States. Now, at 26, the St. John's University student has made his first profession as a priest at St. John's Monastery, organized a service-learning trip to Africa and started two college clubs and a nonprofit group to help people in Uganda. "I can't just sit around enjoying all the conveniences and forget about home," he said. "I have to help people back home." When he graduates in 2007, Lugemwa plans to return to law school and pick up where he left off in 2001 when he quit a five-year program in Uganda to answer his calling to priesthood. He plans to specialize in canon law to bring knowledge of doctrines and religious experience to the field. Each day, he strives to teach others about his homeland and build relationships between Uganda and his new home in Minnesota. "I can't just sit in my room and say my prayers," he said. "I wouldn't be satisfied." Family ties Lugemwa said he knows that's his purpose here. But it's not always easy. Clinging to his faith, Lugemwa left his mother and siblings in Masaka, Uganda, a village southwest of Kampala. He still struggles with the distance. "I miss home a lot," he said. "I miss my mom." He calls home every weekend and sends pictures when he can. Lugemwa brought only a few belongings in a suitcase when he boarded a plane for Virginia to join Mary Mother of the Church. He knew he would have all he needed here. He has not stocked up on brand-name apparel. He said his money can be better spent. Instead of buying a $40 shirt, Lugemwa opts for one that's half the price. He then tucks the savings away to pay college tuition for two of his Ugandan friends. Lugemwa also takes care of children in his homeland. After holding a 3-year-old girl in his arms during a trip to an orphanage and hearing her story, Lugemwa committed to helping provide for her needs. Both of her parents died of AIDS, and she does not have any other immediate family members to care for her. "I felt touched and I decided I would do what I can to make a difference in her life," he said. He sent her a package of clothes and other supplies this month. It is one of several packages Lugemwa has sent this month to Africa. He also has pledged to help two brothers, ages 9 and 12. They have been orphaned for six years and live alone in a grass-thatched, two-room house. Water seeps into their home during heavy rains, and they have few supplies. When Lugemwa left their home last summer, he gave them a pile of blankets, clothes and linens. He sent them two packages of school supplies and clothes this month. Lugemwa has been saving to build a small home for the brothers. Not having a job to boost his charitable giving has led Lugemwa to be more conservative in his own needs. He uses the vacation stipend he receives from the monastery to fund his efforts and passes along small gifts he receives to those who need them more. Desire to teach Sitting in class this semester, Lugemwa knows he grew up in a community unlike those of his classmates. As a child, he learned English and attended classes while sitting on a dirt floor. Each of his classmates there were affected by AIDS — some lost their lives to the epidemic. "We're all the same," he said. "Given the right opportunities, we all can come out with the same thing." A desire to teach his Central Minnesota peers about his homeland led him to take a group of 12 students there last summer — his first trip home in four years. He wanted to show students the African culture, the devastating disease that has stigmatized it and a community spirit ingrained in the villages. Most families do not have much, he said, but they give what they have. This year, about 60 students have asked to participate in the service trip. But Lugemwa has room for only 13. Work through clubs Lugemwa works to connect those students to his homeland through two student clubs. Through the Global AIDS Awareness Group, students organize speeches, talk about issues in Africa and raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic. Lugemwa hopes to foster relationships between African and American students andilluminate Africa's strengthsin the newly formed club,Africa Students and Friends of Africa. While balancing an oversized course load, club activities and his monastic responsibilities, Lugemwa finds time to provide opportunities to people in his homeland. He has started a nonprofit aid organization called the Uganda Rural Community Support Foundation with his older brother, the Rev. Peter Lugemwa. His brother operates an orphanage in their hometown and dedicates his days in Uganda to the foundation. In Minnesota, Lugemwa searches to find sponsors for children who have been orphaned by AIDS. He asks sponsors to donate either $200 a year for an orphan to attend school or up to $25 a month for the student's basic needs. While searching for sponsors, Lugemwa felt led to build a school on his mother's land in Masaka. He plans to cultivate the land to provide food for the students and jobs for people in his village. Turning that vision into a reality for up to 500 orphans requires $10,000 in donations. With the $3,000 raised so far, Lugemwa hopes to buy the bricks and start to build in January. He would love to welcome 250 students next fall, but his fund-raising effort will decide when it is ready. About John Lugemwa Who he is John Mary Lugemwa, 26. He is one of seven children. Where he lives now Collegeville. Came to the U.S. In 2001 from Masaka, Uganda, where he was born and raised. He started his monastic formation in Virginia and North Carolina before moving in 2003 to St. John's Monastery. What he does Training to become a priest atSt. John's Monastery; student atSt. John's University; director ofAfrica service-learning trip atSt. John's; founder of the UgandaRural Community Support Foundation, a nonprofit AIDS organization. Activities Lugemwa spends most of his time attending club meetings, organizingan annual service trip, findingsponsors for children who havebeen orphaned by AIDS and fund raising to build a school on his family's land. In the little spare time he has,Lugemwa enjoys walking on localtrails and hanging out with his friends. Favorite U.S. holiday Fourth of July. Favorite holiday at home Christmas. Favorite U.S. food Steak and mashed potatoes with gravy. Favorite food from home Cassava — similar to tapioca. To learn more, visit Lugemwa'sfamily Web site at www.waliggofamily.org. About Uganda Uganda achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. The dictatorial regime of Idi Amin, lasting from 1971-79, was responsible for the deaths of 300,000 people. Guerrilla war and human rights abuses under Milton Obote, from 1980-85, claimed at least another 100,000 lives. During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party presidential and legislative elections. Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya. Size: slightly smaller than Oregon. Capital: Kampala. Climate: Tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February and June to August); semiarid in the northeast. Population: 27,269,482 (as of June 2005). (Note: estimate for this country takes into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS). Life expectancy: 51.59 years. Birth/death rate: 47.39 births/1,000 population; 12.8 deaths/1,000 population (as of 2005). Literacy rate: 69.9 percent. Male: 79.5 percent; female: 60.4 percent (as of 2003). Religions: Primarily Roman Catholic and Protestant, Muslim and indigenous beliefs. Ethnic groups: Baganda, Ankole, Basoga, Iteso, Bakiga, Langi, Rwanda, Bagisu. Languages: English (official), Ganda or Luganda, other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic. Currency: Ugandan shilling. Agricultural products: Coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; beef, goat meat; milk; poultry; cut flowers. Industries: Sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement, steel production. Environmental problems: Draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; poaching is widespread. Radio stations: Seven AM, 33 FM and two shortwave (as of 2001). Television stations: Eight (as of 2001). Cell phone users: 776,200 (as of 2003). Internet users: 125,000 (as of 2003). Source: CIA World Factbook. How to help Connect with Uganda To learn more about the Uganda Rural Community Support Foundation, visit www.ugandaruralcommunitysupport.org. To sponsor a student orphaned by AIDS or donate to building the school, send checks to: The Uganda Rural Community Support Foundation, P.O. Box 2015, Collegeville, MN 56321. Key phrases you should know Hello! How are you? To a female: Oli otya nyabo. To a male: Oli otya ssebo. Goodbye. See you later. Weraba. Thank you very much. To a female: Webale nnyo nyabo. To a male: Webale nnyo ssebo. My name is John Mary Lugemwa. Erinya lyange nze John Mary Lugemwa. What is your name? Erinya lyo gwe ani? Connect with Uganda To learn more about the Uganda Rural Community Support Foundation, visit www.ugandaruralcommunitysupport.org. To sponsor a student orphaned by AIDS or donate to building the school, send checks to: The Uganda Rural Community Support Foundation, P.O. Box 2015, Collegeville, MN 56321.