Plans, Challenges and Support

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2019-2025

The Sisters of Mary have been working in Uganda for more than 50 years. Today we have close to 100 sisters working and serving God’s people in about 13 communities in 5 different dioceses. All along the sisters have registered several successes but they have also encountered different challenges in their apostolate. We are working on implementing a strategic plan in an attempt to refocus the sisters to work toward holistic development for the future in the areas of Administration, Spiritual Growth, Education, Medical, Project Management, Formation, Community Living. All members are expected to participate in the spirit of team work together with the regional team and in collaboration and consultation with the General Counsel for implementation and positive success through relevant apostolate in their communities and areas of work. A SWOT analysis is being used to identify our strengths and limitations, formulate objectives and strategies to help us move forward in our work. Your prayers and support will help us realize our goals.

MISSION – Sharing in the Redemptive mission of Jesus Christ the Great Teacher ( cf Lk 4: 31-32) and Healer ( cf. Mk 10:46-52).

VISION – To Equip SMK working in Uganda Area with necessary required development Knowledge and Skills so as to be self sustained and more relevant in society.

AIM – To faithfully witness the Gospel to God’s people through the Pursuit of perfect charity by following Jesus Christ more closely and freely through the exercise of the evangelical counsels and commitment to community living.

FOCUS DEVELOPMENT AREAS: Administration, Spiritual Growth, Education, Medical, Project Management, Formation, Community Living.

SUPPORTING OUR WORK

Without the sacrifice and support of our generous friends and donors, we would have achieved very little in our ministry that is characterized by many challenges to meet various needs in different locations.

Challenges and Needs

In our Ministry we meet with different challenging experiences; that sometimes make it difficult for us to move forward. Below is a Summary of Our Key Needs:

1. Education

Sister of Mary in Uganda run both day and boarding schools at primary and high school levels. We treasure and promote education of the young people and further education for our own sisters for capacity building. We actively engage in education to eradicate illiteracy and Endeavour to provide the knowledge and necessary skills needed for development and self substance. We avail all round educational opportunities for young people so that they can tap their talents and use their gifts to effectively participate in the political, economical, social activities of their country. Most of the schools, run by our sisters are in rural settings where they face the challenge of lack of electricity, computers and enough textbooks, teacher accommodation, clean water and laboratory equipment. This makes the teaching and learning process very difficult in for both teachers and learners. There is great need for solar installation, and clean water. We have a private elementary school for orphans and vulnerable kids. We have set up a hostel to provide accommodation and care for the school going girl child in high school. We are planning to set up a private Vocational Training Institute so as to offer skills to school drop outs.

2. Formation

We have our formation house in Nyondo where we train young girls who would like to become religious nuns in our congregation. They need both material and spiritual support. Your prayers and encouragement will always be useful in sustaining their vocation to religious life. A surprise toward their welfare is always encouraged. They love to meet visitors and new people and they go out to the community to visit with the sick offering them prayers and emotional and support. You are always welcome to send in your prayer requests and we shall pray for your personal or family needs.

3. Health

We need adequate medical supplies and equipments for our private clinic in Salarila so as to offer quality service to the people in the community. We deal with immunizations and the most common diseases we treat include: Malaria, Pneumonia, HIV/AIDS, Heart diseases, Bilharzia, anaemia, perinatal conditions, meningitis, tuberculosis, injuries, acute diarrhoea and septicemia. Life comes first, so we try to treat patients even who find it difficult to pay for their medical bills due to low poverty levels as such paying staff and maintaining the facility adequately is a huge challenge. We plan on getting an ambulance, a scan machine and hiring a doctor in the near future.

4. Transportation

Most of our convents are in rural areas where to get public transportation especially during rain season may not be as easy. Private transportation makes it easier to plan and implement our work more effectively. The regional administration currently is in need of a new vehicle to replace the old one that has been used for over 15 years.

5. Farming

We have more than 100 acres of land where we can practice subsistence farming to increase our economic base and improve on our self sustenance. To achieve this, we need support with funds and skilled labor to begin an animal farm and an agro forestry project for food security and environmental protection.

6. Clean and Safe Water

We have a need to increase access to clean and safe water to avoid water borne diseases.

Most of our convents have challenges accessing good water especially during dry season. We need tanks for water harvesting during rainy season which are always very useful. Some of the places we work need boreholes to help both the nuns and the communities they serve.

7. Retirement

A good number of our sisters are getting retired and those in their 70’s and 80’s have more health challenges. Some of these nuns have no insurance or retirement benefits so we have to cater for all the medical expenses. Health issues like heart diseases, cancer, diabetic, neurological cases and old age complications are not easy to deal with, but they try to live with them meaningfully.

Ways you can Help

Please you can support our work by praying for us, telling others about us and our work or donate toward a specific area of need. Below are some of the practical ways you can join us to support our work. You can donate in general or toward a specific need of your choice. We shall always honor the donor’s intention. If you are interested in supporting our work, please email us on: smaryuganda@gmail.com or see our contact page and let us know your area of interest and we shall keep in touch with you on how we can access your help.

Areas of Need

You can donate toward the following areas of need: