Teacher Mary was a beating heart of Project Uganda, a woman whose love and dedication transformed the lives of so many children and families in the outskirts of Kampala. Passing away on August 18, 2024, her memory remains alive in the smiles of the children she took in and in the future she helped build for them.
In 2010, Mary decided to transform an open wooden structure into a place where every day, she could offer children a hot meal, but most importantly, love and opportunity. Her dedication to the little ones was boundless to the extent that she also welcomed two abandoned children into her family, giving them a home and a future. One of them, Richard, now plays on the junior team of the prestigious Express Football Club.“I am grateful for the support I have received from the project since I was a child,” Richard says. “I have no family and I don’t know my relatives. I was raised by Teacher Mary and people who helped me in life. So I have been able to attend the soccer academy since I was in third grade, and now I hope to go on and be successful. While I am preparing for national tournaments I am attending school and studying. Your generosity has helped me tremendously in my studies, growth and passion.”
The Uganda Project, started in 1999, grew out of a group of street children who discovered mango trees in the garden of some people from the Focolare Movement. Under those branches, a makeshift school was formed. Thanks to the support of many donors and collaboration with AFN, that simple and spontaneous beginning has grown into a structured reality, providing education, food and opportunities to those living in extremely precarious conditions.
The project continues to move forward facing many challenges inspired by the same values and commitment as Teacher Mary, whose strength and gentleness helped establish the Nutrition Center and develop it. Today the Center takes in 50 of the most severely malnourished children each year. The little ones receive meals, medical care and an integral education that accompanies them until they enter public schools.
As Nelson Mandela said, “When a man has done what he considers his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.” We are confident that Mary can rest in peace, having contributed decisively to improving the lives of so many children.
(Photo Teacher Mary: https://aplusfuneralmgt.com/obituary/kisembo-mary-night-akiiki/)
