In 2002, Sir James Forbes, a Grace Episcopal Church member, along with the Rector, the Reverand William McIlmoyl, began a mission outreach program in Bubaare, Uganda. The program began sponsoring female students graduating from the Bubaare Secondary School to Bishop Barham University College, a division of Uganda Christian University.
Overseeing this scholarship program in Uganda was the Headteacher at Bubaare SS, Elifaazi Twinobuhungiro (Twino). The first scholarships were offered in 2003. Each year Grace Church, through the Grace Outreach ministry program, chooses one student for scholarship. After this selection, other students that qualify for university may be sponsored by small groups, individuals, and families coming together. Over the last 22 scholastic years, 95 young women have been sponsored to university degrees, which means that 73 were sponsored by other parishioners and community members. A true success story of God’s provisions.
Currently, all students have graduated with some continuing to complete master’s degrees. After graduating, they contribute to their community as teachers, nurses, administrators, business owners, agricultural advisors, and many more careers. Twino who now serves on academic boards and committees, and his wife Grace, continue to oversee the program in Uganda, working daily with the needs of the young students. Over the years, their oversight has been a key to the success of the program and cannot be overstated.
A recent note from Amos Ahimbisibwe, current Headteacher, Bubaare SS, shows how the program is changing the educational culture: “Grace Church sponsorship has spurred students’ motivation more than anything else! I should add, two years ago when you gave support to more than 10 girls at one go, that struck the learners with a magic strand of sorts! That made it dawn on them that it was getting increasingly possible to actually get support. The school has been posting the best student at the local district level for three years in row.”
The success of these students has been a blessing to their community as well as to the Grace and extended Napa Valley community. Who would have thought when the program started that nearly 100 students would be college graduates in just over 20 years. God continues to bless this program, and we prayerfully ask for His continued covering as we look forward to sponsoring more students in the future.
Sponsorship of a young woman for an entire three-year university education including room and board costs $4,500. Some sponsors choose to pay all at once, while others pay in three annual installments of $1,500 and some pay bi-annually. Some team up with friends, family members, or small groups to sponsor a young woman and sponsors are able to have email correspondence with their sponsee if they wish. If you are interested in sponsoring or co-sponsoring a woman this year, please contact Paul Asmuth, program coordinator at pasmuth.usaows@comcast.net.
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