The aim of this project is to construct a Chapel for a counselling and retreat centre in Budo, Uganda. Budo is 9 miles south-west of Kampala, Uganda’s largest city and capital. I (Tom) was invited by my god mother (Frances) and her husband Phillip to design the Chapel about a year ago.
I am travelling to Uganda for 6 weeks this July to help build the chapel and hopefully see the project near to completion. Two of my close friends are also coming out to help with the building work: Jerram Bird, who is helping to lay the foundations, is staying for a month; Jon Small, is going to help out for a couple of weeks. We will be working with a Ugandan builder called Fred alongside other workers.
The Centre began through the work of two native Ugandans, husband and wife team Solomon and Diana Nkesiga. Following a theological education and some missionary work in South Africa, the couple returned to settle in Budo. Solomon is now the principal of the Kampala Evangelical School of Theology and his wife works for a Protestant cathedral, also in the City. Solomon met Phillip, who taught him during his sixth form years. Phillip and Frances have been working in Uganda since 2009, and it is this established friendship that has got them involved in the Retreat Centre's work.
The Centre is called Phumla - a Xhosa (an African language) word for 'sit here awhile, rest a bit here'. This describes one aim for the Centre, a place of retreat and healing for the local and wider Ugandan community. Frances is a trained music therapist and will support this role. A second aim is to provide a place for spiritual refreshment and training for the Church of Uganda clergy, pastors and leaders in other denominations and Christians from all walks of life. It will also be a base for visiting Christians to meet and engage with Ugandan Christians, offering mutual support and growth. The Chapel of Reconciliation will be the focus of the Centre as it seeks to grow and expand its operations over the coming years.
The Centre is called Phumla - a Xhosa (an African language) word for 'sit here awhile, rest a bit here'. This describes one aim for the Centre, a place of retreat and healing for the local and wider Ugandan community. Frances is a trained music therapist and will support this role. A second aim is to provide a place for spiritual refreshment and training for the Church of Uganda clergy, pastors and leaders in other denominations and Christians from all walks of life. It will also be a base for visiting Christians to meet and engage with Ugandan Christians, offering mutual support and growth. The Chapel of Reconciliation will be the focus of the Centre as it seeks to grow and expand its operations over the coming years.
