Here is a card that we had printed for John Burnett’s Gospel of Mark Workshop at Holy Virgin Cathedral, 59 East 2nd Street, New York, on February 23 and March 1, 2020. Mr Burnett offers an in-depth study of the Gospel of Mark in order to raise funds for the Africa Program.

February 2, 2020

Brothers and Sisters:

2019 saw more activity than any previous year for the Africa Fund, and brought many successes, both academic, vocational, and business-related. While we continue to help many students with their primary, secondary, and even university careers, a number of previous students are now launching their families and careers, and we have been able to help them get established. This is a great thing because, in our experience, when one person has a job, about eleven can eat.
Here is a summary of our activity over the past year:

• We gave small grants to help Thomas Kisembo start a shoe store in Fort Portal, Uganda. He is now able to support his family.

• We also collected money for a similar grant to Godfrey Lubega to start a clothing store in Arua, Uganda, although the grant was actually given just after the turn of this year.

• We’re in the process of helping Joel Ssali launch a café (he is already in the catering business, based partly on a grant we gave a couple of years ago);

• This café will employ Namala Jessica, .who herself has been trying to help a number of poor and old people in her village. In this way, our work is being extended by our previous recipients

• Patrick Mufuta in Lubumbashi, DR Congo is now licensed to drive big mining trucks.

• Kisekka Constantine in Uganda is licensed to drive a taxi.

• Sergios Mugume has begun training as an auto mechanic; and

• John Mubiru completed his first year in the same trade.

• Richard Adome has begun his medical training to become the first MD in his county in central Uganda.

• Cissy Akugizibwe completed her first year in Mathematics at Ndejje University.

• Anyomo Phiona completed her program in catering.

• Ephraim Kanyemba started his degree in Computer Science in South Africa.

• Judith Namukuta graduated in December with her nursing degree.

• Azizi Mukasa completed his second year at a university in Turkey, and hopes to be accepted into an exchange program in Germany this coming summer.

2019 also brought major health issues to a number of our beneficiaries:

Patrick Mufuta in the Congo was involved in a motorcycle accident, and we paid hospitalization for both him and the motorcycle driver, who unfortunately died, leaving an illiterate and destitute widow and seven children, two of whom contracted ebola; one died and the other was hospitalized and cured, but was discovered to have acute tuberculosis. We were able to take care of these expenses. Patrick himself was later hospitalized several times for severe ulcers and other issues. Patrick’s son was hospitalized for typhoid and malaria. We also helped to deliver his second child. In Uganda, Namala Jessica was hospitalized for hepatitis and again for malaria and again for typhoid. We can truthfully say that we saved four lives, a couple of them twice.

Total disbursements to Africa this year, excluding fees, came to 38,961.00. This is the most we have ever sent in one year. Remittance fees and other overhead expenses came to 1,999.76, or about 5% of money received.

It’s actually quite remarkable what we’ve accomplished half a world away. Your generosity has educated and fed and touched an untold number of people. Jesus Christ himself thanks you.

Let’s keep up the good work!
ST NICHOLAS AFRICA FUND

John Burnett, Director

“When you give alms, God becomes your debtor.”— St John Chrysostom
Go to http://stnicholasmarin.org/african-education-fund/ to help!