Books Have Arrived in Mumbasa

About 15 months ago COVE started collecting books that would eventually be sent to 13 schools in Uganda. It seemed like an impossible task at first, a labor intensive project. Many schools, churches, libraries and individuals like you donated books to the endeavor. Over the next 12 months each book was cleaned up, stamped, sorted by grade level and category and then boxed. After labeling each box with the appropriate school name they were packed 56 boxes to a pallet. In all we shipped 10 pallets of 56 boxes for a total of 560 boxes.  That comes to about 21,000 books.

This past April the shipping crate was officially sealed at the Bookfriends Int'l warehouse, in Wauconda, Il. At that point it started it's long journey, by ship, to Uganda. On July 20th the crate arrived in port at Mumbasa, Kenya. It is scheduled to arrive in Kampala, Uganda on the 30th. At that time COVE will have 2 hours in which to unload all the boxes and turn the shipping crate back to the shipper.

As often happens, things did not go as planned and the books sat in Mumbasa for 5 days.  After ongoing communications from all parties, these issues were resolved and the books are now on their way to St. Jerome and other schools in the area.

We are all anxious to get the books in the hands of the children. Holding a book in their hands will be a first for many of the students. Those who have traveled to Uganda experienced first hand, just how much the kids enjoy being read to. I will be going to Kapeeka this September and I am looking forward to helping set up the library and having the students read to me.

Our thanks go out to everyone who helped us complete this project. It is because of your hard work that we were able to see it through.

COVE could not have done this without the help of Bookfriends Int'l NFP. They have been sending shipments of books to Africa for more than 6 years. They had the knowledge and experience that we did not have. We are grateful for all of their help. Please visit their website at www.bookfriends.org for more information. 

With gratitude,

U of Illinois Students/Professor Visit Uganda

Even more than last year, the University of Illinois accomplished amazing things during our two weeks overseas. Six students traveled representing SIFE - Students in Free Enterprise, a business school organization. The group trained over 35 individuals in consumer and entrepreneurial literacy over the course of four days, conducted over two dozen interviews, brainstormed product ideas for individuals living in subsistence, and toured various schools and clinics to understand the infrastructure needs in both of these sectors. Visiting families in their homes gave them new insight into what it takes to provide food for every family. U. of I. students experienced heartfelt hospitality in their Ugandan hosts.

One of the participants approached a student, who was conducting the classes, and thanked them for listening and letting him tell his story- simple, yet profound. Each individual we met had a moving story to tell, a different perspective, a unique vision for his or her future. Our mutual impact, though small, touches at the very heart of improving the human element. The students grew from their new relationships and experience with real people struggling to improve their lives. Next year, the University of Illinois College of Business is intent on sending 10+ students back to Uganda. While our mission is in part to teach and interview, in reality it's simply about sharing the stories of our Ugandan counterparts. Their hospitality, grace, and humble attitude have made a lasting impression words simply cannot describe.

-By Steven Sprieser

In addition, two professionals, Coordinator Valeri Werpetinski and future project leader Shikhank Sharma from the LINC group (Learning In Community - a service learning program sponsored by the School of Engineering) traveled to Uganda for the first time this year. COVE has worked with LINC for the past year. Two service learning classes with project leaders met throughout the 2011 fall and 2012 spring semesters to do research in the areas of agriculture, power/water, vocational education, leadership and culture/media.

With the student reports in hand, Valeri and Shikhank's mission was to carry out first time on-the-ground feasibility research, water testing, general surveys of the campus infrastructure as well as gain an understanding of operations, staff functions, education, resource availability and the rural community of Kapeeka.

The team researched the water, power system and land usage at the St. Jerome COVE campus. They spent time in the community interviewing administrators, teachers, employees, beneficiaries. In the family and school visits they broadened their understanding of community needs. This ground work marked an important step toward building future collaborative projects between COVE Alliance and the University of Illinois. The next LINC group class is scheduled for the fall of 2012. It plans to further develop these concepts and help COVE establish sustainable alternatives and project planning toward clean water, consistent power, efficient use of the land as well as educational excellence. There is hope of student project participation in Uganda in the coming year!

With Great Sorrow

Volunteers Needed!

Our annual fundraiser has passed, but we are always looking for volunteers. Many hands and talents are needed.  Special skills are not required - just a willingness to help the children of Uganda!

Sponsorship

 

Enrich your own life when you give a needy boy or girl a chance to someday make an important contribution to our world.

You have the power to deliver a spirit of hope, a love of learning, and the knowledge needed to envision, plan, and create a meaningful life for a disadvantaged Ugandan child and the generations that will follow.

Enjoy the heartwarming experience of exchanging letters and photos with your sponsored boy or girl. Some children carry letters from their sponsors in their schoolbags to assure themselves that there is someone out there in this world who cares.

Information about the United States, conveyed to these children, helps to create a bridge of love and hope in an isolated village halfway around the world. Sponsors are just as excited to receive communiqués from their sponsored children which gives them insight into how small an investment it takes to make a tremendous difference in a child's life.

Outreach

Want to hear more
about COVE Alliance?

We give presentations to groups, schools, churches, and Religious Education classes.

If you know of any organizations, schools or churches that may want to hear more about COVE Alliance, please contact

Darlene Frantonius at

847-438-4780.

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