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A Letter from Father Hilary Muheezangango
 It is always wonderful to come back to the US to visit with all the COVE Alliance founding members, donors, friends and well wishers. My trip last March through April was a unique one. It was filled with a number of interesting meetings, wonderful dinners, as well as several outreach adventures; all geared towards the sustainability of COVE Alliance's efforts to support the children of Uganda with the mission of helping them to become self sustaining in the future.
The highlights of my trip are innumerable, but allow me to express myself regarding the very important one; The 5th Fundraising event "Out of Africa". This event took place on April 10th at Double Tree Hotel in Mundelein.
The success, beauty and uniqueness of this event manifested itself in the early planning. When I arrived in March I found the COVE Alliance team with a lot of confidence and already at the final preparatory stage. So many auction items had been collected from the many well wishers of COVE Alliance. Mrs. Terry McLaughlin, Ms. Kathy Brosmith and many others had everything ready for the event on the April 10th.
When I walked into the Hall at the Double Tree Hotel on Saturday morning, I was moved with the dedication of the so many people who were very busy doing the final touch work and yet filled with a lot of joy, teamwork, and zeal for success. This was my "wow!" moment. In my heart, I said, "What a self-giving community!
I was even more mesmerized at the evening of the very event. The joy that filled the hall was so overwhelming. People came to share their joy as well as their wallets with COVE Alliance because they love what COVE Alliance is striving to accomplish in Uganda. It was wonderful to see many of us doing the hat dance, as well as the chicken dance!
The fundraiser was such a great success to COVE Alliance, and for this I would like to say, thank you very much! Asante sana! Muchas Gracias! Mwebale nnyo!- to the COVE Alliance USA Board, the 2010 Fundraising Committee, all the members of COVE Alliance, all COVE Alliance's donors, and friends.
God bless you all, and reward you abundantly.
Fr. Hilary Muheezangango
Executive Director, COVE Alliance |
COVE Uganda Admin Assistant Richard Mugisha
 We would like to introduce you to an important, interesting person; COVE Alliance's Administrative Assistant Richard Mugisha.
Prior to being employed by COVE, Richard attended the minor seminary for 6 years at St.Joseph's Minor Seminary Nyenga. He also studied for 3 years at Katigondo National Major Seminary and 4 years at St. Paul's National Seminary.
Richard feels he is where God wants him to be at this time in his life. Two years ago when Fr. Hilary was looking for COVE's Administrative Assistant he remembered his friend from the seminary. Knowing that Richard was conscientious and dependable, Fr. Hilary chose to hire him. Early on in his new position, Richard earned the approval of COVE delegates who noticed that he was very cost-conscious and efficient.
Richard is motivated by his past experience with the Salesian Fathers, the group in charge of his home parish in Namaliga-Bombo. He particularly enjoys working with the youngsters and children. The children show great respect for him and he has great rapport with each of them. He hopes that the poor and abandoned children will continue to get the necessities of life, "so they can attain their education and return to their area to support COVE and their families."
A difficult part of Richard's job is dealing with people who are not on time and people who act irresponsibly. However, he hopes he can use his career to stress the importance of being on time and acting responsibly, and that these qualities will develop in others as a result.
A high point for him is taking people to the hospital in COVE's emergency vehicle. He is also touched by the gratitude of the children and their guardians.
Richard finds it extremely important for delegates to come from the US because of how they inspire the local people to work and be self sufficient. |
Fr. Robert Barron and Word On Fire Crew Visit St. Jerome COVE Center
Fr. Barron and the "Word on Fire" Ministry, a documentary on Catholic acts of charity, recently visited the St. Jerome COVE Center in Uganda. He and his crew are traveling 50 countries to explore the beauty and faith of Catholicism in action. Fr. Barron was drawn to the COVE campus in Uganda by Fr. Hilary, who happened to have Fr. Barron as a professor at St. Mary Seminary, in Mundelein, Il.
As part of their faith enrichment, the Word on Fire crew chose to journey to the Ugandan Martyr's festival, which was held in Namungongo, Africa. This event commemorates Ugandan martyrs from the late 1800's who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Christianity. The Ugandan King during that time had the martyrs killed in an attempted to deter Christianity from the country, but in contrast the martyrdom inspired the people to a deeper spiritual connection with Christ.
Today, thousands of people flock to the festival. Many walk for days and longer just to participate
Looking to explore what his former student had accomplished in this area of Africa, Fr. Barron and his staff contacted Darlene Frantonius and scheduled a time for them to visit the St. Jerome COVE Center in Kapeeka, Uganda. The crew spent over 3 hours filming at the center.
Upon his arrival, the children welcomed Fr. Barron with songs, dancing and many smiles. The children were especially curious about the equipment; having their picture taken seemed to bring laughter and a sense of curiosity to the students. Gifts from the crew were received with great appreciation.
The Word on Fire crew viewed this experience as a special day in their long journey. They were in awe at the work that is being done for the children and were inspired by the welcome they received. |
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Letter From a Sponsored Child | | |
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Letter From COVE Delegates | | |
Our vision is of a world of hopeful, responsible human beings who respect human dignity and are in a position to sustain themselves and their families in the future.
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For more information about COVE Alliance, contact:
(847) 438-4780
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