![\"The](\"https://www.albertbakerfund.org/files/2023/02/CSO-Kampala-300x200.jpeg\")
The Christian Science Organization at Ndejje University, Kampala, Uganda
February 13, 2023
\nHello! Habari! Chi!
\nEach evening, I think that this evening will be the evening when I will have time to write an update \u2013 and each evening seems to end 2-3 hours later than expected and the plans for tomorrow require my priority. So, I am taking advantage of the three-hour drive to Nanyuki to compose and send this update! We are passing Mount Kenya as I type this.
\nThe Christian Science Organization at Ndejje University, Kampala, Uganda
In brief summary, our ABF African adventure has been a mixture of learning, inspiration, sadness, and overwhelming Love.
\nWhen I was asked by one of our Ugandan ABF students, how did I find Uganda? My answer was \u201cComplex.\u201d
\nWords and descriptions cannot do justice to the actual experience. It would be similar to trying to describe the Rocky Mountains or Great Barrier Reef to someone who has not been there. Actually, it is much more complex than that. That said, I will do my best to share some experiences and what I am learning.
\nThe first lesson I have learned that in States, the scholarships ABF provides makes a difference in supporting our students. In Uganda, thescholarships that ABF provides makes a difference to not only the individual student, but also to the student\u2019s family, friends, and community. The \u201cGrandma\u201d of the Jinja Christian Science society told me today that she (Anne Awori Osinde) was the greatest beneficiary of The Albert Baker Fund because of the blessings she has observed and received indirectly. Although Anne has not received any funding directly, ABF financially supported her daughter (Jackie) with her bachelors and masters degrees. Jackie\u2019s education and abilities has resulted in progressively important career positions that subsequently has allowed Jackie to share her blessings with those around her. Beyond this, Jackie serves as the ABF In-Country Representative (ICR) for Uganda. Anne and Jackie came into Christian Science when Anne was healed of HIV/AIDS through Christian Science. Like I said above \u2013 this does not come close to speaking in-person with Jackie and Anne. And these are their stories to tell, not mine.
\nLet me try to share another example of another one of our graduates who was supported by ABF for both her bachelors and masters degrees. After being hired into a well-paying job, this graduate supported her four younger siblings\u2019 education as well as supporting the education of her friend\u2019s seven children. She has formed a savings group of fifteen women who collectively have saved 3,000,000 UGX (Uganda Schillings; $300,000 USD). After the successful execution of this group, she organized and joined a second group of eleven women who are saving following the same model. Aiding this ABF graduate has directly blessed another 35 people that I am aware of. There are very likely more who have been blessed because ABF funded this women\u2019s education.
\nBy the numbers, as of February 13 we have: Visited two countries (Uganda and Kenya) Visited three Christian Science Churches and Societies (Kampala, Jinja, Nairobi) Interviewed 17 ABF graduates and current students from Uganda (12) and Kenya (5) Met with and interviewed four ABF ICR\u2019s (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya-Nairobi, Kenya-Migori) Visited three primary schools and two secondary schools
\nWe leave Kenya on Wednesday with our next stop in Accra, Ghana!
\nMuch Love,
\nJoe
\n", "content_text": "February 13, 2023\nHello! Habari! Chi!\nEach evening, I think that this evening will be the evening when I will have time to write an update \u2013 and each evening seems to end 2-3 hours later than expected and the plans for tomorrow require my priority. So, I am taking advantage of the three-hour drive to Nanyuki to compose and send this update! We are passing Mount Kenya as I type this.\nThe Christian Science Organization at Ndejje University, Kampala, Uganda\nIn brief summary, our ABF African adventure has been a mixture of learning, inspiration, sadness, and overwhelming Love.\nWhen I was asked by one of our Ugandan ABF students, how did I find Uganda? My answer was \u201cComplex.\u201d\nWords and descriptions cannot do justice to the actual experience. It would be similar to trying to describe the Rocky Mountains or Great Barrier Reef to someone who has not been there. Actually, it is much more complex than that. That said, I will do my best to share some experiences and what I am learning.\nThe first lesson I have learned that in States, the scholarships ABF provides makes a difference in supporting our students. In Uganda, thescholarships that ABF provides makes a difference to not only the individual student, but also to the student\u2019s family, friends, and community. The \u201cGrandma\u201d of the Jinja Christian Science society told me today that she (Anne Awori Osinde) was the greatest beneficiary of The Albert Baker Fund because of the blessings she has observed and received indirectly. Although Anne has not received any funding directly, ABF financially supported her daughter (Jackie) with her bachelors and masters degrees. Jackie\u2019s education and abilities has resulted in progressively important career positions that subsequently has allowed Jackie to share her blessings with those around her. Beyond this, Jackie serves as the ABF In-Country Representative (ICR) for Uganda. Anne and Jackie came into Christian Science when Anne was healed of HIV/AIDS through Christian Science. Like I said above \u2013 this does not come close to speaking in-person with Jackie and Anne. And these are their stories to tell, not mine.\nLet me try to share another example of another one of our graduates who was supported by ABF for both her bachelors and masters degrees. After being hired into a well-paying job, this graduate supported her four younger siblings\u2019 education as well as supporting the education of her friend\u2019s seven children. She has formed a savings group of fifteen women who collectively have saved 3,000,000 UGX (Uganda Schillings; $300,000 USD). After the successful execution of this group, she organized and joined a second group of eleven women who are saving following the same model. Aiding this ABF graduate has directly blessed another 35 people that I am aware of. There are very likely more who have been blessed because ABF funded this women\u2019s education.\nBy the numbers, as of February 13 we have: Visited two countries (Uganda and Kenya) Visited three Christian Science Churches and Societies (Kampala, Jinja, Nairobi) Interviewed 17 ABF graduates and current students from Uganda (12) and Kenya (5) Met with and interviewed four ABF ICR\u2019s (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya-Nairobi, Kenya-Migori) Visited three primary schools and two secondary schools\nWe leave Kenya on Wednesday with our next stop in Accra, Ghana!\nMuch Love,\nJoe", "date_published": "2023-02-24T10:01:19-08:00", "date_modified": "2023-08-21T12:22:59-07:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Jeffrey Thompson", "url": "https://www.albertbakerfund.org/author/jeffreythompson/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/690b0483ec0f5baf417e3ef56003539bdd569ca09cd1f81132aa739c7bae8349?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Jeffrey Thompson", "url": "https://www.albertbakerfund.org/author/jeffreythompson/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/690b0483ec0f5baf417e3ef56003539bdd569ca09cd1f81132aa739c7bae8349?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.albertbakerfund.org/files/2023/02/CSO-Kampala.jpeg", "tags": [ "Africa", "CEO" ] }, { "id": "https://www.albertbakerfund.org/?p=10620", "url": "https://www.albertbakerfund.org/2023/02/24/abf-in-africa-2023-part1/", "title": "ABF In Africa 2023, Part1!", "content_html": "February 3, 2023
\nIt\u2019s happening!
\nThe CEO of The Albert Baker Fund is returning to Africa this February!
\nIn fact, we are enroute as I type this email.
![\"Meeting](\"https://www.albertbakerfund.org/files/2023/02/Part-1-Picture-300x225.jpeg\")
Meeting at University of Ghana in Accra
Lamech Katamba, ABF African Regional Program Manager, and Dominique Beling, ABF African Applications Processing Agent, have organized a six-country visit for Robin Jones and me (Joe Ritter, CEO). We are all excited to share this amazing journey together.
\nAs you may know, ABF provides scholarships to students who are Christian Scientists and are enrolled in university and vocational programs in thirteen African countries:
\nBenin, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.
As the trip was unfolding, I asked Lamech to choose the top three countries for our visit. He chose six. If you know Lamech, you will agree that we are fortunate that he did not chose eight \u2013 or all thirteen! The six countries we will be visiting are Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, DRC, and the Republic of the Congo.
\nDuring this trip we expect to
\nMy plan is to send updates every two weeks, although I reserve the right to send more frequently should I be able.
\nAll the best,
\nJoe
Dr. Joseph M. Ritter
\nChief Executive Officer
\nThe Albert Baker Fund
\n\u201cEducating Christian Scientists, Blessing the World\u201d