Missionaries of
St. Francis de Sales
Uganda, Africa
If you would like to donate to the Ugandan mission,
please make your check out to “Our Lady of Good
Counsel Church”. BE SURE TO NOTE IN THE MEMO
SECTION OF THE CHECK, that the money is to be
donated to “UGANDAN MISSION”. Your check can
be mailed to the rectory at:
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
Attention: UGANDAN MISSION
701 W. Main St.
Endicott, NY 13760
Margrate Akoth
Or deposited in the collection baskets at each mass.
For questions or information regarding sympathy or birthday
donation cards for the Ugandan mission, please contact
Diane Donahue, [email protected] or (607) 625-3585.
Brought to you by the Women’s Empowerment Ministry
of
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
-8-
“TO EDUCATE GIRLS
IS TO
REDUCE POVERTY”
Former UNITED NATIONS’
SECRETARY-GENERAL
Kofi Annan
This booklet contains information from Father
Thomas Varghese’s quarterly report to the
parishioners of Our Lady of Good Counsel in
response to their generosity in supporting the
education of 40 Ugandan girls in his parish.
In addition to their education and spiritual
needs, Father Thomas has created a program
for counseling and establishing life and relationship skills for the girls.
He and his parishioners celebrated the new roof
on their church, although it is still without
floors, doors or windows. A school and a hostel
for the girls is being built. He has also established a secondary school for vocational training
for older girls. However, funding for these projects remains a constant struggle.
There is now safe drinking water, although
drought, floods, illness and an acute shortage of
food continue to plague the community.
Father Thomas has taken on a tremendous multi
-faceted task. Although his focus is on bringing
the joy of faith to his parishioners, he also
works to lift them out of devastating poverty.
He has made amazing progress, but there is so
much more to do and overwhelming obstacles
to be faced.
-2-
Magrate Ayo Kisakye is 7 years old
and in grade P2. Her mother is
deceased. She lives with her grandmother and 3 brothers. Her father
deals in second-hand clothing.
Tolofine Asinde is 13 years old and in
grade P6. Her father is living with
another woman. Her mother is very ill.
Tolofine lives with her and her 5 sisters
and 5 brothers.
Zipola Nyaburu is 11 years old and in
grade P4. Her father is deceased. Her
mother brews alcohol for the family to
be able to survive. Zipola lives with her
and 3 sisters and 4 brothers.
Sharon Nyaketcho is 15 years old and
in grade P6. Her father is deceased,
and her mother left to live with a new
partner. She lives with an uncle with
her brother and sister.
-7-
The following is a message from
Father Varghese:
….some of our girls
‘Presently, OLGC is sponsoring 46 girls with the money which
was provided for 40 girls. In African culture, there is a lot of
family spirit. It means that 40 girls cannot eat with six other
girls sitting there without food. Please forgive me for adding
six more girls to this group.’
Once again OLGC generously responded to
our girls’ needs! Thanks to you, we will be
sponsoring 46 girls instead of 40!
“OUR GIRLS”

All 46 girls are currently attending
primary school.

Their ages range from 5 to 16 years.

31 of the girls’ fathers are deceased.

2 of the girls’ fathers have abandoned
them.

10 of the girls’ mothers are deceased.

5 of the girls’ mothers are ill.

9 of the girls live with their grand
mothers or other relatives.

The average number of siblings is six.
-4-
Our “cover girl”:
Margrate Akoth is 13 years old in
grade P4. Her father is deceased. She
lives with her mother, who is very poor,
two sisters and a brother.
Immaculate Athieno is 9 years old
and in grade P2. Her father is
deceased, and her mother is a subsistence farmer. She has four sisters.
Christine Alowo is 12 years old and in
the grade P6. Her father was
murdered. Although her mother is
alive, she is too poor to keep Christine
and her sister so they live with an aunt.
Judith Watali is 12 years old and in
grade P5. Both parents are deceased.
She lives with a relative of the family.
-5-
EMPOWERMENT EDUCATION FOR
WOMEN AND GIRLS !
Beatrice Aplo is 11 years old and in
grade P4. Her father is deceased. She
lives with her mother and five brothers
and five sisters.
Rose Aketch is 12 years old and in
grade P4. Her father is deceased. She
lives with her mother and five brothers
and four sisters.
Immaculate Athleno is 9 years old
and in grade P1. Her father is deceased
and her mother is very sickly. She lives
with her and three sisters.
The joy in learning to be empowered!
Magdalena Alowo is 14 years old and
in grade P5. Her mother is deceased,
and her father has left to be with his
new family. She has one sister and
three brothers.
-6-
…....at any age!
-3-