When Wendy and I came to Uganda, the last thing on our minds
was a school…but if we were honest, everything that God has accomplished here
through Friday Night Church wasn’t on our radars. We continue to be in awe. We continue to walk entirely by faith…something we have
truly learned, living and ministering in the third world.
We can’t stop now, even if the task ahead seems
daunting. So on March 10th,
Friday Night Church is launching The FNC Academy. Some of you might ask, “Does Uganda really need another
school? Aren’t there already
schools around?” The answer is a
bit more complicated than replying with a simple yes or no. Allow me share with you a few of
the facts we have found in the community we minister in…
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| Faith Abwooli |
1. Though some
of our Joy Club kids, “go to school”, we have found most are extremely under
educated. 8 year olds up to 13 are
not able to perform even basic writing skills such as spelling their name or
writing the alphabet.
2. Children are
desperate for education. So much
so that most are willing to go back two and three grades just to get into the
FNC Academy where they will actually receive a proper and Christ centered
education.
3. Because of
the cost and burden to the parent or guardian, about 50 percent of our Joy Club
kids fail to attend school on a regular basis. Some have even failed ever to enroll.
4. Most
children in our community are malnourished and have limited access to clean
drinking
water.
 |
| Slyvia Nassozi |
Mr. Torzon, my high school history teacher and football
coach always used to remind us to never let our “don’t want to’s” get in the
way of our “want to’s.” Scott
Alexander, my best friend and mentor taught me years ago to always “start small
and go slow, but begin soon.”
Wendy and I don’t know the first thing about starting or even running a
school. We don’t have all of our i’s
dotted or our t’s crossed. We
don’t have the funds to begin a school much less sustain it. But let me tell you what we do have… We
have the passion. We have the
facilities. We have an amazing
staff that desires to love on and educate our kids. We have willing parents and guardians with children
desperate to learn and be loved.
And we have a God whose will is to love and care for His children. This is enough for us. The real question now is, “Is this
enough for you?”
 |
| Thomas Kagaba |
Because of our limited funds and resources we are starting
with just 24 students and 4 teachers.
Classrooms will have both a male and female role model/teacher, which we
feel is an important part of our children’s spiritual and emotional growth. We’ve done our calculations. Below is the figure we have up with
that will sustain each child’s education and physical wellbeing.
For $49 per/month or 1.58 per/day, you can provide holistically
hope for one of these children.
This is what your monthly gift will accomplish:
 |
| Lillian Azoyo |
-A Proper and Christ-Centered Education
-2 Nutritious Meals per/day
-Clean drinking water
-Clothing for your Child
-School supplies and Backpack
-Emotional and Spiritual support
-Medical
-Real Hope in a hopeless community
Some of you might be asking, “What if you get more than 24
sponsors? Will you consider
enrolling more children.” The answer is really simple…YES!!! Which means, it’s up to YOU how many
children go to school here at the FNC Academy. We have a waiting list of more than 50 students already,
with many more to come.
 |
| Mercy Letasi |
So this is how we’re setting this whole process up. Because The FNC Academy is operating on
a shoestring budget, we are beginning our sponsorship by using Facebook as the
connecting point between the child and you the sponsor. Each child is listed, with their
picture and basic facts. The page
provides info such as name, DOB, family, etc. This also allows for monthly updates regarding the success
and achievements of your child, while being able to communicate with ease. Not a fan of Facebook and still want to
sponsor a child? No problem. We can provide the same information and
service by using email or even the postal service. Below is our FNC Academy FB
page link.
After visiting the
FNC Facebook page, please select the child that you want to sponsor. Then message us and communicate which
child you have chosen. FNC Academy
will then send you a confirmation message providing you with further information
about your sponsorship. Again, if
you don’t want to use Facebook, just send an email to: todd@thekissingwell.com
or wendlgill@yahoo.com and we will
happily assist you.
Important Note: The
FNC Academy FB page will be set up and maintained only by my wife Wendy and
will NOT be accessible by anyone outside our FNC staff. Also, every parent and or guardian is
aware of this and has given us verbal and written consent.
We have made the giving/donations options easy and
convenient:
Option #1- Paypal
Option #2- Autopay (automated draft from checking)
Option #3- Send your monthly gift to: THE KISSING WELL, PO
344 Vermont, IL 61484, USA
Please make check out to THE KISSING WELL. Include your child’s name in the memo.
To set up payment using option #1 or #2, please visit our DONATE PAGE here on our BLOG.
The Kissing Well is a
501(c)(3), making your monthly gift tax deductible.
