Wednesday, March 5, 2014

THE FNC ACADEMY


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… 


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.

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