Thank you from SOW Board members to all those who attended and supported the 2023 fundraiser dinner
The Seeds of Wisdom board would like to express a sincere THANK YOU for your support of the recent benefit dinner. So many people volunteered time, baskets, and desserts. A special shout out to all the students that were there serving or helped with set up.
See more photos from the dinner event here!
We had about 150 guests attending. The St. Bakhita Choir was great. The evening was a lot of fun and had so much energy. Great prizes were auctioned off. Most importantly, we topped our goal of raising $60,000 to support over 250 primary school students attending the 6 teaching points Seeds of Wisdom runs in refugee camps in northern Uganda.
With Gratitude,
The Seeds of Wisdom in South Sudan Board members
2023 SOW Fundraiser Dinner Photo Album
The annual Fundraising Benefit Dinner was a big success. Thanks to all that were involved with the biggest fundraising day of our year. The participation of many helps to make a difference for young lives and their families in Uganda refugee camps! Below are photos taken from the successful evening. Great energy and fun was served up during this exceptional fundraising event.
SOW Benefit Dinner Sunday Oct 8, 2023
Please join us for a lively evening in celebration of the students we serve through the Seeds of Wisdom in South Sudan. Your involvement is key to our success in this effort. We have a special evening of entertainment, food, and socializing around the support of our students from South Sudan who are in Uganda refugee camps now. The location of the students has changed but the need for quality education and support for these students has not.
Sunday Oct 8, we will have a silent auction and live auction with items to bid and win.
the Live auction will include the following items.
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Pizza party sponsored by Jo Beber and Fr. John Lasuba
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2 tickets to Billy Joel / Stevie Nicks at US Bank Stadium. 7 PM Nov 10, 2023. Section 116.
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A Trek Dual Sport+ 2 Stagger “e-bike” from Rochester Cycling. Valued at $2,400 (minimum opening bid of $1,500).
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Lebron James Signed Basketball
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Family Portrait sitting with Bryan Rodriguez
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Group dinner at Sorellina’s, including: wine, appetizers, salad, entrée, dessert Value over $500
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2 night get-away to the Thompson B&B in Lanesboro, MN. Includes 2 tickets to the Commonweal Theatre.
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Hot Air balloon ride for 2. Valued at $750
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Dinner for 6 with Monsignor Mahon (priceless!)
We will also have a fund a need for student support. we are hopeful to have your participation in this very important event. This is our annual fundraiser in support of the students from our Sister School – originally built in South Sudan, but now supporting Sudanese Students living in Uganda refugee camps.
Seeds of Wisdom Benefit Dinner Sunday Evening Oct 8th at 6PM
Seeds of Wisdom Benefit Dinner For more event details click here!
Sunday evening, Oct. 8, 6 PM
Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist School Gym Tickets are available in the Co Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Parish Center
What can your donation accomplish?
The Seeds of Wisdom board are all volunteers. We have essentially no expenses here (other than what it takes to put on the benefit dinner and other minor support activities). Your donation goes directly to support education needs for over 250 children from families currently living in refugee camps in northern Uganda. You provide education and hope, hope for families who want to get back to their home and their land in South Sudan. These students and teachers are truly committed to learning and are so thankful for this opportunity.
$1000 Funds all the workbooks, paper, books, sitting mats, chalk, pens, pencils – all the supplies needed at each (of the 6) teaching points for one school year
$500 Funds transportation for the education coordinator (George) for one trimester to oversee all students and teachers in 6 teaching points: fuel, insurance, vehicle maintenance
$200 Funds one teacher’s salary for one month (and we have 14 teachers)
$125 Funds our office space and support needs for one month: office rent, internet, phone, supplies
$50 Funds travel, food, lodging for one teacher when they gather with the rest of the SOW teachers for a full week in January before the school year begins to jointly plan the school year
Student Success Stories… Meet Stella!
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Stella is a recent graduate of Flaminio Vocational Training Institute in Arua, Uganda where she has been awarded “Best Student of the Year.”Stella started at our Pukuka school, but when war broke out in Yei, Stella, along with her two children, was forced to flee to refuge in Uganda. Their family walked for three days before reaching the Ugandan border, and Stella collapsed twice on the way due to exhaustion and hunger. She was settled in the Bidibidi Camp. Stella is now 23 years old. She was married when she was only 15. Her parents asked her to marry at such a young age so she would not be dependent on them; this is a common custom. When SOW started a tutoring program in the camps to help Pukuka students learn, the program was opened to any willing parent who wished to learn how to read and write. Right away, 34 children and 5 mothers joined the program. One of those mothers was Stella. She was 17 at the time, and she started at that point in Grade 3. Stella would consistently perform well in all subjects because of her hard work. She was promoted through Grade 5, when she felt her responsibilities as a mother in the camps demanded more from her, and so she requested to be supported in skills training rather than classroom education. In 2022, SOW supported her in vocational training to become a tailor. While in vocational training, Stella showed outstanding work ethic, proving her talent in tailoring. She soon became the best student in the class. She graduated in December and was awarded her tailoring certificate. Stella currently borrows a sewing machine and is a wonderful seamstress for people who bring her clothes. She hopes someday to teach others how to sew. Her future is bright and so is the future of her children! |
Seeking your Support! Seeds of Wisdom boarding school support requests
Our camp schools are doing a great job educating students in primary grades. However the only options for secondary education requires students to attend boarding schools in Uganda. We are supporting a small number of boarding school students currently, but It is our goal to extend greater support to these children and give them the best chance to excel with Education and securing their future. Increasing the number of children that receive this benefit, extends a greater the impact on the South Sudanese people!
Learn how it is possible to help a family in Arua, Uganda by supporting a South Sudanese student with an Education. Providing financial support to students in Seeds of Wisdom camp schools and further with boarding schools for secondary students in Uganda has an additive beneficial effect to family’s and communities. Knowledge and understanding through education can be shared and the impact of that education is extended to many others. Learn more about how you can help!
Save the date! Seeds of Wisdom Benefit Dinner will be Sunday Oct 8th
Watch for additional details regarding this year’s Major Fundraiser to support the camp schools in Uganda for our South Sudan Students and Families on Sunday October 8th.
April, 2023 – Father John Lasuba and Father Jerry Mahon visit the SOW camp schools in Uganda
Written By Fr. Mahon
During this time of my visit to our sister school, St. John the Evangelist, Arua, Uganda, I am sincerely moved by many factors. One is the beauty and grace of education, to help someone move from where they are to so much more! This is extremely evident as I shared life with our students and their exceptional teachers.
While the conditions are a significant challenge with many limitations, the dedication of parents, teachers, and our Principal, George, creates possibilities! The desire for new life in the midst of poverty and a lack of resources is so inspiring. The faces of students reveal signs of hope and joy as they sing songs of welcome for us.
Please be assured that your generosity to Seeds of Wisdom is opening the grace and gift of a future for children that otherwise would not be possible. It is remarkable to witness their joy in the midst of needs.
After hearing about their gratitude for all that you as benefactors have given them even in the midst of tragedy, I asked them what else they need? Mind you, they need a lot. My intention was to just hear from children. They responded, a football, (meaning a soccer ball), which came from more than one group. George, the Principal took me to a Sports store, and I purchased six soccer balls for the upper grades and six for the primary grades. All together we have five camp school located in different parts of the area and then the further need for boarding students. This all happened on the last day so I regrettably will not be able to see their faces as I am preparing to return home. However, George assured me they would be super excited.
More to come as I prepare to journey to Rochester and share my experience.
Fr. Mahon
Fr. Jerry Mahon shares a note of gratitude to supporters of Seeds of Wisdom while visiting the camp schools in Uganda
Fr. Mahon from the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist writes as he visits the students sponsored by Seeds of Wisdom.
Dear Friends:
Grateful to arrive safely in Entebbe, Uganda after reasonable flights of a long distance! During our many years of offering education and formation to so many children, I have never been here with Father John. I came twice, once to bless the ground of the school and the second time for the dedication of the school.
As you know so well, we had to close the school building and by your generosity and the hand of God, we continue to educate 250 students in Arua, Uganda! Father John and I will visit all five of the refugee camps – one each day as they are a bit distant from one another!
Also, we have a passionate need to support the teachers and George, our Administrators, with assistance for sacramental preparation for the children and families! This is uch an important step and we are meeting with the Bishop of Arua asking for his pastoral assistance. Please pray for all of the needs, but in particular for this need of care for their cry for the sacraments.
In being here, I am so conscious of your generosity in making this Easter joy possible by your honest generosity. Our parish community and many others come forward to support this mission, which is very much like the Acts of the Apostles, the early Church!!
God’s peace to you!
Fr. Mahon