Friends of mine who live in a rural village in Eastern Uganda need food. Their families, their neighbors are hungry. They farm the land, but the land is dry.
I met Samuel and Yonathan this summer when they worked as counselors at Eisner, where three of our children attend camp.
Samuel and Yonathan are Jewish, really Jewish. They're members of an emerging Jewish community in Namatumba, which started about 100 years ago, when an Israeli engineer befriended one of the villagers.
At first, I thought this was a Jewish story, but I was wrong. It's a story about families in Africa who need our compassion. Their village is home to Muslims, Christians and Jews, who share the same struggles.
Our aid would be offered to anyone who is hungry.
This village has had some Western visitors, but from what I've learned, not a lot and not enough direct support.
You can be the one. Join with me to raise money to ease the immediate food crisis (just a band-aid) and to address the community's long term sustainability.
Even a few dollars has the ability to make a BIG difference.
I'm collecting the funds and plan to join forces with an established non-profit, IsraAid (http://www.israaid.co.il), which already has a team working in a different part of Uganda. More specific details to follow.
Let me also share with you: Samuel and Yonathan have NOT asked me to do this or anything else on their behalf. I feel an obligation to be the one to help their community and hope that you can share in this mitzvah. I can't do it alone, but together we can make miracles.
A heartfelt thank you for considering this special project as you think about where to give tzedakah (charity).
Please watch Samuel Bucky and Yonathan Lukato in a video they recorded this summer at Camp Eisner in Massachusetts: https://vimeo.com/177739528
More pictures: https://eisnercamp.org/2016/10/28/from-eisner-to-uganda/
(Most of the pictures I've posted here are from a day we spent sighseeing together in New York City. Samuel and Yonathan returned to Uganda at the end of August, where they attend college, on and off depending on funds.)
Finally, I understand you may have a lot of questions about these young men; their community; and the distribution of aid. Please contact me directly and I'll share all that I know: bluegrass715@yahoo.com
Updates