Uganda (MNN) ― Thriving in one of the toughest districts of Kampala, Uganda, is a school that promotes both personal independence and dependence on God. The Tentmakers Academy provides for the holistic and educational needs of children and their parents through self-sustainability projects.
Worldwide Christian Schools' Emily Klooster explains that the school's namesake and driving force comes from a passage in Acts 18:1-3.
"It refers to the Apostle Paul's ministry. He sustained his ministry at Corinth by making tents. Tentmakers Academy sustains their ministry by making jewelry," said Klooster. "So, the children, the parents, and the teachers create their very own, unique jewelry, which they sell on an international and national level to support the school."
Participation in a bead-making project is a requirement of everyone who wants to attend the school. This project generates just enough income to keep the school running, pay the rent and provide a small salary to the teachers.
Tentmakers Academy comes as a glowing light in a realm of darkness. Many in the Banda District of Kampala, where the school is located, are plagued by HIV/AIDS. A major contributing factor to the rampant spread of disease is alcoholism. Uganda was ranked as the leading consumer of alcohol in 2005 by the World Health Organization.
Approximately 1 million people were recorded living with AIDS in Uganda, according to another 2005 report by UNAIDS, a United Nations organization dedicated to fighting the disease.
Kampala was one of the highest risk areas in the country.
"The school's neighborhood is packed with people and thousands of children," said Dale Dieleman, Worldwide Christian School's field director for Africa. "Orphan populations are high because of HIV/AIDS."
According to Moses Muyingo, orphaned and neglected children often pick up the habits of prostitution and alcoholism at a very young age. Muyingo formed Tentmakers Ministries in 2004, the parent organization of Tentmakers Academy, to address the needs of these children.
"These children need attention in the form of love, care and compassion in their identities as orphans, disabled, sexually abused, or abandoned," said Muyingo. "Each of these categories is represented in our community today."
Psalm 23 is painted upon one of the walls of the school, beginning with "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall lack nothing." This special passage brings hope to a generation of depraved children as they find their needs satisfied and are taught to be a "light unto the world."
Today, 135 children flood the facility of Tentmakers Academy, and more wish to attend. The single dilapidated block building consisting of three offices, an outdoor kitchen, and makeshift classrooms isn't big enough to hold everyone.
"Every foot of the property is being used for either teaching or feeding the children," said Dieleman.
Funds are needed to cover the costs of building a new school to replace the facility they are currently leasing. Click here if you can help.
