Not so long ago I wrote about one part of Uganda where religious tolerance was the rule of the day...this is in a country where, sadly, intolerance is too often the norm. My previous diary was about an unusual group of Bantu from Uganda who chose to follow Judaism who then went on to organize their local community (Jews, Muslims AND Christians) to form a coffee cooperative that sells, through Thanksgiving coffee, one of the best coffees my wife and I have tried. That coffee is called "Mirembe Kawomera" which translates to "Delicious Peace."
The Abayudaya set out on a unique path when they chose, among the conflicts between Muslims and Christians during the early years of British colonialism in Uganda, to be Jewish. They suffered for that choice during the brutal years of Idi Amin's reign. But they survived. They then chose to include their Muslim and Christian neighbors in the schools that they set up with American and Israeli help. They then chose to create a Fair Trade coffee cooperative that now operates through Thanksgiving Coffee and they invited their Muslim and Christian neighbors to join this cooperative. Now they have recognized the threat of global warming and have deliberately set out to make their economy sustainable. I wish America would be so smart!
Here are the Abayudaya children singing Lecha Dodi, a traditional Jewish song, something that would have gotten them killed during the Idi Amin regime:
One of their key projects, to provide school fees and school meals to as many local kids, whether Jewish, Muslim or Christian, is raising funds for next year. Right now they cannot provide for these kids without outside help, and that is what I am asking. Can we help this one small place, where Christians, Muslims and Jews are working together, and help kids go to school and have a school meal? More below.
From an email I received from Kulanu, one of the groups that first discovered the otherwise isolated Abayudaya and who set up these schools that invite Jews, Muslims and Christians:
Poverty, AIDS, and political instability run rampant in Uganda, a country located in eastern Africa between Kenya and Rwanda. However, near the eastern border of Uganda, a community of Jews-by-choice continues to grow and strengthen. Facing the same hardships as other communities in the region, the Abayudaya (“Jews” in the local Luganda language) are developing economically and Jewishly with help from people around the world. Kulanu, Inc was among their first friends, having “found” the Abayudaya community in 1994. One of our proudest achievements in this 17-year partnership is the establishment of an elementary and high school where young Jews can gain an education without being forced to convert to Christianity or suffer hostile anti-Semitism. Although both schools are run by the Abayudaya Jewish community and supported by Kulanu, the students are a mix of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim children, who study and play together in peace – not something you see very often in this part of Africa.
A crucial aspect of the two schools is the nutrition program started by Kulanu several years ago, with generous challenge grants from the Estelle Friedman Gervis Family Foundation. This program provides two meals every school day to the 800 students enrolled at the elementary and high schools. Before this program began, students would often come to school hungry, leave campus and walk long distances in search of food at lunchtime, and usually return home at the end of the day with empty bellies. Thanks to the nutrition program, teachers and school administrators have reported an increase in attentiveness and student performance, and a decrease in tardiness and absenteeism. Children are better able to focus in class, and their impoverished families have one less thing to worry about.
Now, however, as enrollment increases as more families learn about the excellent education the schools provide, the nutrition program is at a serious juncture. We need $5,000 before September 1st to feed the students for the rest of the semester. It costs $40,000 to feed all 800 students for a year, a continual challenge for Kulanu. Won't you please help by contributing, and passing this appeal on to your friends and colleagues? Any amount will be so much appreciated!
To contribute to the Abayudaya school nutrition program, please click here to donate online, or mail a check in US dollars, payable to Kulanu, to 165 West End Ave, 3R, New York, NY 10023 – write “Uganda nutrition” in the memo field of your check. Then pass this appeal on to your networks via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email, or even the phone!
Currently they are at 30% of their goal to feed these kids. I would love to see Daily Kos push them far, far beyond that. Can we do that? This is one of the most amazing projects I have worked on.
Let's feed these kids, help their education, and bring together three religions in an area of stability in a region that is otherwise known for conflict.