Hero in the Dark

Highlight Story – Peter Mukasa-Magoye

By: Weston Baccus

Peter Mukasa-Magoye is a dedicated volunteer with Promise International (PI), who is truly making a difference improving the lives of orphans and other needy children, in Uganda.  Two names that describe Peter would be “the facilitator” and the “go to man.”  He has several major projects that he is overseeing for Promise International.  In an extended 10 week mission trip in Kampala, Uganda in the fall of 2010, Peter assessed and help facilitate some much needed changes at Gateway Mercy Ministries (GMM).

One of the biggest problems he encountered was the dire food situation at Gateway Mercy Ministries. The children that live at Gateway Mercy receive porridge for breakfast and dinner.  For lunch however, they are all given a meal consisting of beans and Posho.  Posho is ground corn meal.  This diet routine is repeated every day.  The diet is very limited in nutritional value for growing children.  Peter was the point man to bring immediate relief to the children by delivering a variety of nutritious foods.  Furthermore, he spent several days at the home to train the Cook in the preparation of these foods.

Mr. Magoye spent much time during his 10 weeks in Uganda working on several tasks.

First, he searched for capable people to assess properly the curriculum offered by Promise International affiliated schools.  This search is being done with the help of the recently appointed Chairman of the Promise International Ugandan Advisory Board, Dr. Gladys Bwanika, professor in the Zoology Department at the Makerere University of Kampala, Uganda.

Further, Peter has coordinated the communication between the PI Architect, Erick Cortez, with    the local Ugandan Architects working on the construction of the Promise International Children’s Centre (See the story, “The Promise International Children’s Centre in Uganda”).  He spent time working to assemble reasonable and accurate estimate costs for construction.  Peter also identified two purchasable acres in Entebbe adjacent to the 1.5 acres of recently donated land.

Currently, Promise has the donated funds for one of those two purchasable acres.  There is an option to purchase the second acre at the same reasonable market price.  However this option, at a set price, expires at the end of February 2011; at which time this “fixed price” will most assuredly go up, because the identity of the foreign buyer is now known to the seller.

Peter has often been on site at the Gateway Mercy Ministries in Natete, Uganda, to provide counsel.  He is assisting GMM, along with the Ugandan Advisory Board, to prepare a more formal Memorandum of Understanding with Promise International.

Upon his return home, Peter made several recommendations.  Most importantly he reported that Gateway Mercy would need more funds to train properly a cook to prepare a wider variety of foods to accommodate the dietary needs of the children.  Sylivia Nakabuye is Gateway Mercy Ministries’ Administrator and has been working closely with Peter to achieve these goals.

Peter Mukasa-Magoye puts his time, money and effort into helping bring to light the dire conditions and needs in Uganda, in order to properly implement your donated dollars.  Peter enjoys the displays gratitude and appreciation he receives from the Promise International children of Uganda.  Peter says, “Do what you can to uplift the lives of the kids of Promise International.” And that is exactly what he and Promise International are striving to accomplish; to offer hope and a future to these children.

The following is a note from the author, Weston Baccus.

            “After reading my article, I hope you will be compelled to do something for this deserving cause.  Donations and sponsorship are just a few ways you can help. Please visit our website at www.promiseinternational.org  God bless you for your efforts.”

        You can help supply the needed dollars to purchase the second acre by the February deadline!

 

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