Home, Welcome, and How to Donate | Board, Mission, By-laws, and Facts |
Bagishu People, Photo Slideshows | Membership, Volunteer Corner, Contact Us |
Events, Newsletter | Annual Reports | Counting our Blessings
The Needs of the Bagishu People of Eastern Uganda
Sebastian Wanzama-Piro's Fundraising Efforts
Sebastian Wanzama-Piro was born on Masaba, the hilly side of one of the peaks of Mt. Elgon, in eastern Uganda. He is dedicated to assisting residents of the simple village where he was born. He calls this assistance a "moral imperative."
Although he emigrated to Toronto, Ontario, with his family eighteen years ago, he has not forgotten where he came from. He grew up in a family of eight. The cost of education was very high, but the community pulled together to see him through high school and a seminary. He opted for a secular education in electronic journalism and supported his siblings to continue their education. Today, he is a community worker in Toronto and executive director of the Canadian-African Centre. But Sebastian remembers his humble beginnings and acknowledges, "I am lucky to be what I am today."
This has inspired him to give back to the community where his mother, sister, and brother still live. He wishes to help his community by assisting in micro-projects such as a day care centre, a health care centre, and clean water by constructing simple wells.
The first project is already underway. In memory of his father Joseph Wanzama who died in 1996, Sebastian converted the house where he grew up into a playhouse for children. Many children are alone while their parents farm. Now some 300 children come to "Joe's Playhouse," where they receive food prepared by Sebastian's sister Betty and lessons from volunteers. The original building soon became much too small. With your donations, a larger building was constructed in 2008. Of course, there is no electricity, only some simple furniture, and limited school supplies. Sebastian works many overtime hours to fund these projects because he wants to share what he has with his native village.
He understands that children who are not properly cared for today could have problems as they grow up, so he sees his contributions as an investment in the future. Because he also wants to inspire the spirit of volunteerism in others, he enlists students to volunteer at Joe's Playhouse and to assist the village's ill and the elderly. He says, "I'm inspired to transfer my desire to help because being there for one another is so important."
His philosophy is grounded in three fundamental elements: community, spirituality, and sharing humanity. We usually hear about rural Africa only in times of war or political unrest. However, the needs of the people of Sebastian's village are great. They include basic things that North Americans take for granted, such as simple preventative health care and dental care, clean and accessible water, electricity, paved roads, and education. Sadly, these needs seldom make the news.
Sebastian works three jobs to accumulate funds for his village. In addition to the day care, he also funded a simple bridge to shorten villagers' trips for water and purchased a generator. But he acknowledges, "I can't do it alone."
He believes that we are all members of a "global village." How easy it would be to contribute a small amount that could make a tremendous difference for people whose average annual income is a mere $6.00 a year. Some of us spend that much every day on coffee, lunch, or gasoline. Your contribution will help improve the day care centre and help build a much-needed health care centre and more wells for clean water.