Uganda Vision Trip Update

Last month Erica Estrella (CEO of Align) and Joe Jackson (CFO of Align) traveled to Uganda to meet with Align's church partners in Bombo, Kakooge, and Wobulenzi. The trip's goals were to invest in the relationships with the key leaders of the churches and Donela schools, get a thorough update on Align programs and projects, and share the vision for future partnership in Uganda. God was faithful, and the trip was fruitful!
Joe Jackson stands with Bombo Church leader

The trip began with a warm welcome by the Ojera family, who hosted Erica and Joe in their newly built home gifted to Bishop Alex and his family by Peninsula Community Church members and Align donors in 2021. It was evident that the Ojeras and church members went to great lengths to prepare for Erica and Joe's arrival, making sure they felt as comfortable as possible. Our partners care so well! Erica and Joe attended church service in Bombo, followed by an Align-hosted luncheon with the church leaders and their families. At the luncheon, they affirmed the church leaders' commitment to their communities during the Covid lockdown and expressed Align's gratitude for being such incredible partners in ministry. In response, the church leaders gave their overwhelming love and thanks to Align and all of its supporters. In the words of a Bombo Church elder, "There were people starving all over the country [during Covid], but Align gave us food. You could have forgotten about us and focused on your own problems, but you never did. Thank you. I know that you really do love us."
Erica Estrella connects with a Bombo Church leader

Erica Estrella connects with a Bombo Church leader

Erica and Joe spent several days meeting with the Life With Hope Ministry staff reviewing shared projects with Bombo Church. While discussing each program's status, they encouraged the staff, developed solutions to overcome challenges, and identified ways to more effectively serve the children and community members benefitting from the program. They also visited the Donela School campuses and Life Home Village. This provided a great opportunity for Erica and Joe to view recently completed refurbishments to the schools made possible by Align's generous donors, providing great insight for upcoming construction at the Life Home Village. A special highlight was visiting the children at the Life Home Village who had just received new dresses from Dress a Girl Around the World and sandals from an Align supporter. Witnessing their joy was one of the sweetest and most rewarding moments of the trip.

Erica Estrella meets with Life with Home Ministry staff to discuss Bombo Church projects

Meeting with the staff supporting the Donela schools also proved incredibly rewarding. God blessed the discussions and moved the Align and Donela teams toward a vision for the future that will equip the schools to reach more children in their communities with a Christ-centered, quality education while generating income to run sustainably and independently. They created a rough plan for future development to grow Donela High and three Donela Primary campuses, and the teams were able to identify the highest priority construction items. With the help of Align supporters, we hope to raise funds to add classrooms and classroom equipment for the Donela Kakooge Primary campus at this year's Gala.

Erica Estrella stands with children who received Dress a Girl Around the World dresses

To learn more about Donela Schools click here or consider donating today toward our expansion project!

Jun 13, 2022