09/18/2024
From our latest St. Margaret Mary Uganda Education Fund mailing is a touching letter from Fr. Michael…..
Dear friends, What a joy and pleasure to pen these few words to you across thousands of miles from Uganda. I can’t believe it’s been almost two years since we have seen each other. I truly missed coming last December due to a combination of factors. First, booking a visa appointment these days at the American Embassy is quite a challenge. Secondly and most importantly, was my mother’s passing that really made it impossible for me to come in December. I want to thank many of you for the consoling messages and prayers that you sent following her death. In November 2023, mom had a stroke from which she never recovered even though she remained conscious to her moment of death. Mom’s faith was incredible! While in the hospital during this time of pain and misery, as soon as you stepped in her room, all she wanted to do was pray. Once you spoke the words, “let us pray,” immediately she would begin making the sign of the cross. You could tell that she was praying with you even though she couldn’t pronounce the words. I was lucky the day she died to be able to spend time with her. I was called to the hospital as things had taken a turn for the worse. I rushed there, stayed with her for a while, and was assured that things would be fine so returned to Mytiana. Hardly had I arrived at my place of work, when I was called with the news that she was failing. I got back into the car and drove back to Kampala. But by the time I arrived, she was already gone. We miss her terribly. But we are relieved that she is out of pain and no doubt she is with the Lord. She fought a good fight, lived a nice life, and during the last years, her words to us were always, ‘I am ready to go’. However, those who have lost their parents know that their departure will always remain painful. We thank the Lord who gave her to us for the great time that we had her around. She taught us many important life lessons that we shall cling to, and we hope to join her when the time comes in heaven. Mom was very instrumental in the lives of many of our kids in our education fund. A lot of them were orphans and would spend their holidays with her. She loved them all as her grandchildren and many indeed attended her funeral.
Speaking of our children in the fund, they have continued to thrive and are doing quite well. We have a few who have had milestones in their education as they graduated. Some are already gainfully employed while others are still searching for jobs as jobs here in Uganda are hard to come by, especially in the non-science areas. We have one shining example—Peter Ssali who made us proud and happy last year. He graduated almost summa cm laude, missing it by just a point. He was employed immediately. Because he was a good student, Makerere University, where he graduated from, hired him as a junior lecturer. That is quite amazing to be retained by your university here in Uganda as a junior lecturer. Now he is enrolled in the Masters program so that he can get a solid foundation allowing him to become a full time teacher in the university.
All these and many other cases would not have happened if it were not for your absolute and total dedication to the growth and education of these kids. On their behalf, I can never tire from thanking you wholeheartedly for giving these kids the opportunity to dream big and have their dreams come to reality. Each time I talk to any of these kids, all they say is, “Please Father, thank those people for me.” The second point they say is that they pray for you constantly. May the good Lord continue to bless you abundantly. Looking forward to seeing you in December! Until then, be always assured of my prayers and know that we love you very much here in Uganda.
With Love in Christ, Fr. Michael Mukasa.
