Augustine Kitonsa, a Ugandan man, has experienced a transformative journey under the support of the Good Samaritan Sisters (GSS) and specifically Sr. Regina Nakyeyune Lawrence, GSS, an SLDI alum. As a child, Augustine suffered a severe fall from a mango tree, which left him with significant injuries and in need of a wheelchair. The community introduced Sr. Regina to Augustine, who brought him to the Mapeera Bakateyamba Center, where she serves as director and was able to provide him medical treatment and a wheelchair, greatly improving his quality of life.
Before his arrival at the center, Augustine was in a state of despair, suffering from wounds and ulcers, and unable to sit due to pain. His family was not in a position to provide the necessary care, leaving him without hope and waiting for God to call him home. However, the Good Samaritan Sisters changed his life, providing him with food, clothing, and timely care. Now, Augustine has found purpose and a sense of belonging. He contributes by preparing yams and making rosaries, activities that allow him to give back to the community. Despite his desire to attend school, the death of his mother has placed the responsibility of supporting his younger brother's education on his shoulders.
The Mapeera Bakateyamba Center in Uganda serves up to 60 individuals, including the elderly and disabled. As the center’s administrator, Sr. Regina faced the challenge of insufficient food supplies needed to sustain the individuals living in the home. Utilizing her SLDI training, she assessed community resources and identified available land and a vehicle. She initiated a farming project to grow food for the home and community, as well as to produce cash crops and rear animals. Starting with a single acre of banana plantation, the farm has expanded to include nine acres of bananas, four acres of yams, one acre of sugarcane, and numerous cows.
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Sr. Regina on the grounds of Mapeera Bakateyamba Center in Uganda, where she leads efforts to care for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Recognizing the need for sustainable income, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic affected external funding, Sr. Regina made efforts to mobilize local resources. She has written one project proposal for home renovation, and heavily relies on income-generating activities and local support. Donations in-kind, such as cows, have bolstered the home’s resources. The farm now feeds over 40 sisters, many of whom are ill, and 60 people with disabilities, while also generating income by selling the excess harvest. Residents contribute by bringing produce to the market for sale.
Sr. Regina also organizes workshops for sisters to learn from her project, providing an additional income stream as participants pay fees and lodge at the home. Despite struggling with project writing, she excels in local resource mobilization, raising funds for renovations and constructing a perimeter wall through Christmas carol fundraising. An American donor, inspired by seeing Sr. Regina on TV, completed the wall project in exchange for food, showcasing her ability to attract support through innovative means.
Augustine has expressed profound gratitude to God and the Good Samaritan Sisters for their support. He acknowledges the significant changes in his life since joining the center, including the opportunity to participate in workshops. Augustine remains hopeful for the future, praying for the day he can return home and support himself.
