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...
Shalom Namutere Youth Camp: 14 Years of Transforming Lives The Shalom Youth Camp dream was born in 2010, inspired by an experience in Norway that reshaped our director's vision for engaging with young people. While in Norway, our director participated in youth camps and saw firsthand how camps could be spaces for learning, building community, and having fun—a concept often misunderstood in our community. This revelation ignited a passion to create a similar environment for the youth back home, paving the way for the first-ever Shalom Youth Camp. The Beginning of a Vision Returning home, the director was determined to engage the youth in ways distinct from the traditional perspectives. The idea was simple yet bold: to create a space where young people could envision a future beyond their immediate surroundings and be part of shaping it despite initial hesitations from parents who were unsure about the idea of “fun” being part of youth development, the fir...