The Purpose of Each Other

“If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life? It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth.”

—Mitsugi Saotome
(1937-); Aikido instructor, author

The MIC group has brought hope to several families in Uganda. These families and the MIC group supporters have added extra joy in their lives by being a friend to someone far away that they may never meet. The mothers in Uganda, most of whom had lost all hope for a future, are now feeling a sense of renewal that soon they will be able to provide for their families.

This family above is one of such families. Mack sponsors Kasumba Brian through CUS. I spoke with Hellen to see if there was anything that his mother could do such as make purses or beads. Hellen said she would be able to teach his mother how to make the beads, and she would be very grateful to be a part of the group. (For those of you with CUS children that would like to see if their mothers could be a part of the group, you must e-mail me, not Kate. Kate has nothing to do with this project. This is completely separate from what the school is doing, but we can include the parents of the students. Of course, if we add more people, we will need to sell more items to take care of everyone. Any help you could provide with getting the word out on the items these women are making will help all of the mothers in the group).

The letter written to Mack by Proscovia is a lengthy one, so I will condense it. Here are parts of the letter (Hellen distributed some of the money that we sent to help the mothers get food for their children- approx $60. Proscovia received some of the funds as a down payment for items that will be sold):

I want to thank you very much for Brian's Christmas gifts and the money you sent to me through the director. I had outstanding food debts in the shop and rent. I am happy that they are cleared.

I have 4 children whose fathers died but now I am struggling with them like that. Everything is not very easy. Sometimes I go to the stone quarry to get something for a day's meal but even then, sometimes we end up breaking stones which are not paid. My major problem is that if our beads can be bought, it would help meet all of the needs for [a home of our own] and [food]. I have learnt to make the beads together with the children.

I love to work with my own hands in order to survive. I am happy that I will make the beads that can now be sold. I am happy and pray that one time you visit us. I love [Hellen] because she is very understanding. Help her to help us.

Greetings to everyone there and God bless you all

Madam Prossy