SHALOM NAMUTERE COMMUNITY PROJECT

Special Issue: From the Director's Desk.  When I took a team of five people at the beginning of 2024, I was simply doing what I love: bringing people alongside me . It’s almost the best way to tell the story of Shalom, because pictures alone don’t do us justice. This time, I want to share about Waswa (not his real name). After only a few days of Waswa’s involvement with the teachers at Shalom Care, I could see a bright spark of enthusiasm. But what came next was truly amazing. After our trip, he sent me a book that became a great encouragement for my work with the community. Here’s a portion of his letter: "‘Children of the Dust Bowl’ is a book I used to teach about the Great Depression of the 1930s. About halfway through the book, Leo Hart is introduced. He realizes that a large segment of his community is not receiving the education and healthcare they deserve. Instead of just complaining, he decides to do something about it. After our trip, I instantly saw you as a present...

Shalom Care School Construction: Step by Step, by Faith.  This week, we joyfully resume construction at Shalom Care School after eight months of what I like to call “accumulating manna.” Yes— manna , God’s gracious provision for His people. Undeserved, yet faithfully supplied through generous donations.  Just like the children of Israel in the desert, we have continued to trust God for every single step . We have never once received a large capital donation that could complete an entire building at once. Instead, our journey has been one of steady faith—trusting God to provide, one step at a time. One thing we are sure of: the burden, though heavy, will be lifted by the Lord Himself . The One who owns all the gold, silver, and cattle on a thousand hills knows where the resources are and when to release them. Sometimes He provides in trickles; other times, He pours out blessings abundantly. Our part is to stay ready—to receive, to obey, and to move when He says, “Go.” As we...

More Than Meals!  Sometimes, we might feel we need a little justification to take on something new.   For as long as I can remember, meals at Shalom Care School have been lovingly prepared in a kitchen that could only be described as substandard . 💓 Yet, day after day, our dedicated chefs have worked faithfully in that space, making sure the children have nourishing food to fuel their learning and growth. When resources are limited, the question of priority always lingers. Do we finish one project before starting another? Do we keep managing with what we have, or take a bold step forward? This week, we chose courage—we are beginning construction on a permanent kitchen structure for Shalom Care School. This is more than just a building project. It’s an act of encouragement for our amazing chefs, who pour their energy into serving the children every school day. It’s also a step toward sustainability, dignity, and creating an environment where our students can thrive not only i...

  Reading and Sight, Renewed: A Glimpse into the Shalom Widow Care Receiving Reading Glasses and Training.  It’s a sobering reality that millions of people around the world have no access to basic eye care, and for many, it’s simply not seen as a priority. This is especially true for most of the community we serve, even the widows. Many have, for years, quietly lived with impaired vision, unable to read.  That’s why this week was so special. In partnership with Laurie @ https://apollostraining.org/ and Doreen E— and with the faithful support of Levina and our women leaders at Shalom Care — we were able to provide reading glasses to a group of widows. For some, I'm sure it was their first time ever seeing clearly. The joy on their faces as they read words they hadn’t seen in years — or ever—was unforgettable. Beyond the gift of sight, the day was also filled with training, fellowship, and encouragement. These gatherings remind us that God sees and cares deeply for the...

  Strengthening the Church, Transforming the Community: Our Ongoing Partnership with Apollos Training Two years ago, we entered into a meaningful partnership with Apollos Training with a clear and urgent goal: to equip local pastors in our community, many of whom have had no formal pastoral training. In our context, we cannot separate the spiritual growth of the church from the holistic development of the community. While we continue to respond to physical and psychological needs as best as we can, we recognize that the deepest poverty is spiritual — a lack of connection with God. That’s why investing in the spiritual leaders of our community is foundational to the transformation we long to see. In our first year, we were amazed to gather over 200 church leaders who participated in training focused on the basics of discipleship. The impact was evident — pastors walked away encouraged, equipped, and eager to serve with renewed understanding. In January of this year, we launched ...

  The Story of the Tom Fjermedal Clinic and Shalom Namutere Project The Shalom Namutere Project (Uganda) has been a beacon of hope in our community, addressing critical education, health, and development needs for nearly two decades. This progress has been made possible by the unwavering support of dedicated friends, churches, partnerships, and different groups to whom we are greatly indebted.   In this issue, we highlight Tom Fjermedal, whose generosity has indelibly impacted countless lives. A Friendship That Sparked a Movement In 2006, while living and working in Norway with IFES Norway (Laget), the director of the Shalom Namutere Project met Tom Fjermedal.  Tom’s kindness was evident from the start as he took on the role of a guide and friend, ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience during the director's time in Norway. This friendship became the foundation for a partnership that would later impact an entire community in Uganda. Inspired by a vision to address pove...