God has spoken to and through the people of St. David’s (Radnor) Church through the centuries. Collecting and preserving our archival materials, past and present, enables us to honor this heritage and share our story, thus making Christ known to others.
Produced by St. David’s (Radnor) Church Parish History and Archives Committee
Managed by Marianne Cook Fall 2024
Written by Nereida Gordon, Leslie Roy Bud Billups and Dr. Joe Bonn
Edited by Jerry Kinkead
Layout by Brad Smith
Forword
“As it is, there are many members, yet one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:20
From its founding, the Christian movement has been about sharing the good news of God’s love and grace to build a community of love so that all may come to know God in Jesus Christ and be encouraged to make Christ known to others. This worldwide movement is building a Christian community that crosses geography, culture, race, abilities, gifts and time to build the community of God’s love and improve the quality of life for all God’s children.
St. David’s (Radnor) Church, founded in 1715, has been a committed member of the Christian movement in its more than three hundred years of mission and ministry. It has grown a community of love that crosses generations and has reached out to establish other churches and partnered with Christians throughout the world.
For the past fifty years, St. David’s has been in partnership with Christians in Uganda. We have developed deep friendships and prayerful relationships. We have shared pulpits and teaching. We have traveled across the world to be in fellowship with one another. Together, we have helped build schools, a medical center, business opportunities, and friendships that reflect the diversity of the Christian movement and lifted countless lives among our partners in Uganda and at St. David’s to a greater life.
As you read through this brief history of a part of the Christian movement involving St. David’s and the people of Uganda, I hope that you will be inspired to deepen your commitment to your life in God and to building Christ’s community of love with everyone everywhere.
Grace and Peace
The Rev. W. Frank Allen, Rector
St. David’s (Radnor) Church Summer 2023
Dedication
We dedicate this booklet to decades of trust, learning, and friendship between the leaders and people of Uganda and the parish of St. David's Church. It is specially dedicated to Rev. Canon (Romans) and Mrs. Sarah Serunjogi whose vision to help their fellow Ugandans led them to seek out partnerships in the world. The stories contained herein only touch on many more experiences that we all carry in our hearts and minds. We have all grown in the understanding and acceptance of each other through those relationships.
June 2024
Wood carved plaque thanking St. David's for supporting Centenary High School and Trinity Children's Centre
Maps
Regions of Uganda
The Equator runs through Uganda near the Northern end of Lake Victoria,
Maps
Kampala
Trinity Children’s Centre, Trinity Main Hall and the Namirembe Guest House are all located in Kampala.
Maps
Kampala Masaka Road
The Double Cure Hospital and Nursing School and The Maize Mill are located in Mpigi on the Masaka Road about 25 miles from Kampala.
Masaka
The road leading to the upper right is the Kampala-Masaka Road. It is about 80 miles from Masaka to Kampala. The Centenary High School is located off that road.
Introduction
The St. David’s - Ugandan Mission Over 50 Years
Before jumping into the narrative, it will be helpful to get to know about some of the places and people in this story.
Places You Will Hear About
Trinity Children’s Centre (TCC), Kabowa, Kampala. This school began in 1986. There are approximately 1,200 students, from three years old to P7 (meaning approximately 7th grade) on four campuses in the Kabowa area. Trinity is known as a Primary School. About 25% of the children live at the school. Approximately one quarter of the children attending the school are orphans.
Trinity Main Hall is a multipurpose building. Half of it is residential for teachers. The other half is used for school cocurricular activities on weekdays and hired out for community use on the weekends.
Namirembe Guest House. The Guest House is an arm of the Ugandan Anglican Church. It sits on Namirembe hill next to the cathedral, offices and the home of the archbishop.
Namirembe is a clean, very reasonably priced place to stay that is used by many missionary and non-governmental organizations. Recently the board of the Guest House acquired Nabugabo Retreat Centre in the Masaka district Some mission teams have stayed there.
Romans 8:1 Maize Mill, Mpigi. The Maize Mill finally opened in 2004. It was approximately twenty miles from Kampala on the Masaka Road. This was a large facility to grind maize (corn) and rice for both the schools and local farmers. Workers also built metal parts for the schools, such as door frames and security covers. The workers started a small hardware store. In 2019, the government decided that part of the Maize Mill was on government land. They took the transformers away, halting production. Subsequently, a lawsuit was resolved in favor of Maize Mill, but in 2021, the money awarded for the transformers was used to supply new transformers for the hospital being built at Double Cure Medical Clinic, leaving the Maize Mill closed permanently.
Introduction
Double Cure Medical Clinic. The clinic, built in 2007, is located behind the Maize Mill and has served the community of Mpigi, as well as the children from both schools (Trinity Children’s Centre and Centenary High School). The name refers to spiritual as well as physical healing. There is also a mobile clinic for medical needs and educational programs in rural areas.
Double Cure Hospital and School of Nursing and Midwifery. This has been another success story. In 2018, ground was broken next to the existing clinic which was no longer big enough. Plans were expanded to add a fifth floor for a nursing school.
Construction continued during COVID, and the first patients were being seen by 2021. The official opening of the hospital occurred in 2022; the Nursing School opened in 2023.
Centenary High School (CHS), Nyendo, Masaka. This school, started in 1998, now has an enrollment of about 800 students, about half of them being boarding students. Again, approximately 22% of the students are orphans who live at the school. The enrollment includes students from S1 (Senior 1, about 8th grade) to S6 (about first year in college).
The classes and the curriculum follow very closely the British system introduced when Uganda was a British protectorate. The Ugandan Government dictates the curriculum and monitors the main exams held at the end of P7, O Levels (end of our high school) and A Levels. The results of these exams are broadcast to the whole country. Because TCC and CHS students’ scores are superior, the schools have a reputation for excellence that is well known far and wide. Both schools have a main hall that has been approved by the Education Department as suitable for taking examinations for both the students at TCC and CHS and for other school students. These outside students bring a small source of revenue for the schools.
Introduction
People You Will Meet
Evans Kisekka. St. David’s was first introduced to Rev. Kisekka when he was Rector of Lulagala parish. He was later called to be President of The Ugandan Martyrs’ Seminary in Namugongo and then Bishop of Luwero Diocese.
Rev. David Serunjogi, known as “Romans 8:1” or just “Romans” is the dreamer and mover of improving community conditions for his people. He envisioned and built schools and the other facilities, the Main Hall, Maize Mill and Double Cure Medical Clinic. In addition, he built the Double Cure Hospital and School of Nursing and Midwifery with the help of his daughter, Lydia He was, for many years, the Mission Coordinator for the West and Central Buganda dioceses in the semi-autonomous traditional kingdom of Buganda that includes Kampala and Masaka Romans and his wife host visitors from Britain for Sunday School teaching seminars in these dioceses. He is now Canon Serunjogi! According to Romans, the story goes, he was a ‘wild’ person until he read the verse in the Bible, The Letter of Paul to the Romans 8:1, that reads, “Therefore is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” As a result Romans mended his ways. In 2018, Sarah Serunjogi had been Romans’ wife for 35 years and was a teacher. The couple had eight biological children plus many orphans living in their home. Sarah was overseeing Trinity Children’s Centre and also leading the Days for Girls business, working from Trinity (TCC) as well as Masaka. Romans was 60 years old in 2019
Introduction
Dr. Lydia Nakitende. Lydia, eldest daughter of Romans and Sarah, is the head of Double Cure Hospital. Brian Kintu, her husband, is a pharmacist with his own business. They have one daughter, Casey, born in December 2016 and a son, Riley, born in May 2020. They live near the hospital.
Faith Alikiriza. Faith and her husband, Nicholas Yiga, are teachers. Daughter of Romans and Sarah, Faith has taken a leadership position at Trinity. This couple has a daughter, Kayla, born April 2017, who attends Trinity, and two younger children, Karen, born June 2019 and Kayden, born April 2022.
Herberta (Bert) Smith was a medical missionary sent to Uganda by the Merion Deanery when St. David’s travelers first met her. Bert stayed several years and has since moved on to several dioceses, finishing with the Luwero Diocese when Evans Kisekka was Bishop. She initiated a traveling health clinic.
Mission Visits
1970s to Early 1980s
St. David’s interest in Uganda began in the 1970s when an appeal was made to help with measles vaccinations in that country. One member of the St. David’s parish, Mary Poor, learned the skills of vaccination and joined with two health care parishioners, Dr. David and Mrs. Nancy Stewart, to tackle this humanitarian task. The group traveled throughout Uganda for a month, helping with the needed vaccination program.
The first Diocesan companion arrangement was made between the Pennsylvania Diocese, of which St. David’s Church is a part, and the Diocese of Mityana, Uganda. Visits were made between Bishop Mukasa of Mityana and Bishop Allan Bartlett of Pennsylvania. Churches in the diocese were encouraged to become part of the Companion Diocese. St. David’s Church was assigned the parish of Lulagala with the then rector Rev. Evans Kisekka. St. David’s partnered with Lulagala parish and helped them build a church, improve their adjoining school and medical clinic and begin a technical workshop. Unfortunately, the monies sent for a truck and the technical workshop were diverted by the local bishop through whom all the monies had to pass. This was a sad lesson for the St. David’s group.
Thankfully, young bright leaders often stand out. This was the case with Rev. Evans Kisekka, the rector at Lulagala. With the blessing of his diocese and help from the Diocese of Pennsylvania and St. David’s Church, Evans came to Philadelphia and studied at Lutheran Seminary, during which time he became very close with Henry and Mary Poor. St. David’s Church supported Evans financially in many ways, one time bringing his wife, Robinah, and their youngest daughter to the U.S. for a visit.
Not long after his St. David’s Church visit, Rev. Evans Kisekka was called to be President at The Ugandan Martyrs’ Seminary in Namugongo. This seminary is a short distance east of the capital of Kampala in the Mukono district. It also has a small primary school next to it.
Mid 1990s
In 1993, St. John’s Church Lulagala of the Mityana Diocese was a recently constructed church for which there were insufficient finances to install a roof. St. David’s funded the project to complete the work. That year, St. David’s Rector Stephen Jacobson organized students from St. David’s youth group to become pen pals with their Ugandan counterparts, after which they traveled to Uganda to visit St. John’s parish and painted the building. They also had a soccer game with their pen pals.
Mission Visits
Mounted display of appreciation from
In 1995, Mary Poor had been St. David’s volunteer Sunday School Director for the preceding 10 plus years. She talked often of going back to Uganda because of her connection with Rev. Evans Kisekka in the 70s and so, for her birthday, St. David’s rewarded Mary with a trip to Uganda. Mary intended to visit her friend, Herberta Smith. Nereida Gordon joined Mary on this trip, paying her own way.
They worked in a small capacity alongside Herberta in the traveling clinic. At the school, they were introduced to a cow which had been named Mary Poor. The cow had been purchased with monies from St. David’s Sunday School students. Mary loved the joke.
St. John’s
Mary Poor and Nereida Gordon present a wheelchair for use at Mukono Health Centre.
Mission Visits
She realized that the school could now teach animal husbandry, provide milk for the children and increase its livestock by bringing in a bull. Mary and Nereida also visited Rev. Kisekka’s Ugandan Martyrs’ Seminary in Namugongo where the desks were marked with St. David’s name, in recognition of the contributions for that specific purpose.
In the mid-nineties, because of the connections with St. David’s Church and Evans, nurse Herberta Smith eventually ended up working in Luwero Diocese where Evans had become Bishop. There is still a small traveling clinic in this Luwero Diocese although Herberta has moved on. The Merion Deanery also helped build a guest house in the area. Dr. Ken Marx from St. Mary’s Ardmore assumed Herberta’s role. Dr. Marx is now doing most of his doctoring in the prisons of Uganda, working with Ugandan nurse, Joy Nsamba, in this prison ministry.
Bee and Bud Billups’ Trip to Namugongo
June 18 to July 7, 1995
Bee and Bud Billups had been involved in the activities at St. David’s relating to the outreach efforts in Uganda. Following the visits to St. David’s by Bishop Festo Kivengari in the mid1980s, the contact person became Evans Kisekka, then a young Ugandan Anglican priest. This was due to health issues of the bishop. Evans made several visits to St. David’s, culminating in the church sponsoring him in his enrollment at Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia. For many Anglican priests in Africa, as was the case with Evans, seminary education as we know it in America was not available to everyone who entered the priesthood. Because the Billups had both been active in the Uganda mission, Evans lived with them for a brief period until suitable housing arrangements could be made.
Coincidentally, at that time Bee had just been sponsored by St. David’s to become a priest. The bishop in Philadelphia agreed for her to attend Lutheran Seminary for her first two years, and to take her third year of seminary work at General Seminary in New York. In the Fall of 1989, Bee and Evans began their seminary education together as classmates at Lutheran Seminary.
Mary Poor (the cow) with students
Mission Visits
A year or two after Evans’ graduation and his return to Uganda, he was promoted to become the President of the Ugandan Martyrs’ Seminary in the village of Namugongo, the only Anglican seminary in the country. The seminary had never had an actual graduation for its students, and Evans, having seen one at Lutheran, decided to implement the practice. Bee and Bud had kept up their contact with Evans and several times he had mentioned their coming to Uganda to meet his family. In 1995, when he was ready to initiate a graduation ceremony at the Martyrs’ Seminary, he asked Bee and Bud to come to Namugongo to participate in the graduation ceremony. They accepted.
On June 22, after arriving at the airport in Entebbe, the Billups went to Namugongo, where they stayed in the home of Evans and his wife, Robinah. They all had a very nice dinner, which was held in an area cleared in a corn field, in which a few sofas and chairs were brought for people to sit.
Bee performs the communion service.
Right: Sharing a meal after the graduation ceremony
Mission Visits
The Martyrs’ Seminary graduation was held in the seminary building, where one large room was decorated with whole banana trees having been cut down and placed along the walls. There were 300 to 400 people in attendance, and they were told that Radio Uganda was broadcasting the entire graduation exercise. The first part of the ceremony was a communion service, which was led by the Diocesan Bishop. Bee gave the sermon and performed the service with the Bishop and Evans. The graduation followed, at which Bud gave the commencement speech. After the graduation ceremony, a full outdoor luncheon was held for everyone in attendance.
During their stay, the Billups visited various places in Uganda. They went to the town of Mityana, where Evans had been the priest at St. John’s Anglican Church and St. David’s had assisted with finishing the roof. They attended services there.
The Billups also visited schools in two towns. In one of them, a large group of sturdy churchpew-like benches had been built with funds from St. David’s, which had the name “St. David’s Episcopal Church” on the backs of all of them.
On one of the first days Bee and Bud were touring, they went into Kampala, where Evans purchased a keyboard, which became the organ that played music for the local church in Namugongo. Money from Saint David’s helped fund this addition.
Bee, Bud and Evans on stage
Bud reads the manual for the keyboard.
Mission Visits
Bee and Bud became acquainted with a nurse from Philadelphia, Herberta Smith, who was working with the Mukono Health Center. She and another nurse lived at the residence of the archbishop and his family. Each day Bert went to a different rural area to serve any people who showed up at that spot for health needs. The Billups went with Bert one day to help with her service. They drove on a rough path through a thick forested area until they reached an abandoned, empty cinder block structure. It was a former butcher shop, with no other structure anywhere to be seen. People walked for miles on that particular day to wait for Bert. The Billups also went to the hospital where Bert worked.
Rev. Evans Kisekka was elected to be Bishop of Luwero in 1996. Bud and Bee visited him and his wife, Robinah. Both Mary and Henry Poor traveled to Uganda for Evans’ consecration, staying with Herberta, who was on her last year of missionary nursing there.
During that time, The Rev. David (Romans) Serunjogi, came for a visit to St. David’s Church to receive assistance and blessings. He stayed with the Gordons, the Smoots, and at the rectory. Romans had studied at The Ugandan Martyrs’ Seminary when Evans was the President. Evans considered Romans to be a serious, bright student who could serve Uganda well. Romans was not working in Luwero diocese with Bishop Kisekka. He and his wife Sarah, a trained schoolteacher, had started a school in a very poor area of Kampala called Kabowa, where they lived.
Evans presenting notepads and pencils to school children, supplies they have never had before
Herberta making a house call
Mission Visits
In mid-1998, Nereida Gordon went alone to Uganda and stayed with Romans and Sarah in their home, along with countless numbers of children. By this time the Trinity Children’s Centre, which Romans and Sarah had started with six children in 1986, had grown to about 200 students. Romans had also started Centenary High School (CHS), modeling it after some of the small schools he had observed when visiting Philadelphia. The high school had an office and two classrooms on a large grassy lot. Centenary High School is located about 80 miles south of Kampala in Nyendo, a suburb of Masaka. This is Romans’ and Sarah’s home area, the roots from which they came. Village and tribal connections are strong for all Africans. They describe themselves by their tribe first, and their country second.
Late 1990s to Early 2001
A group from St. David’s traveled to work at TCC and CHS in 2000, including Mel Bonder (teacher), Emily Dittmann (college student), Ian Gordon (college student), Nereida Gordon (leader), Joe Volpe (audio and technology guru) and Debbie Wigmore (graduate student). Also joining the group was Dennis Kisekka, son of Bishop Evans who had been a pen pal with Ian Gordon since Nereida’s first visit with Mary Poor in 1994. Ian and Dennis did everything together and were great friends. During this visit, there were major frustrations with the Customs people. Nereida and Joe Volpe spent four days at the Entebbe airport trying to retrieve a huge
Debbie Wigmore, Mel Bonder, Ian Gordon and Christina Dittman lead a CHS Parade to advertise the school in Nyendo, Masaka.
Dancing and drumming celebration when Joe Volpe and the van arrived with supplies
Mission Visits
number of boxes containing computers, other technology equipment and school supplies. Meanwhile, the rest of the group went to Masaka. The young people painted classrooms and dormitories. Mel and Debbie did some observing and some teaching. Eventually, Nereida and Joe joined them with the supplies and were amazed to see how the school had grown to six classrooms and two dormitories. Romans talked of his dreams, especially of the St. David’s Main Hall, and shared the outline of his plans with the group. Regular contact between the school principals and members of St. David’s continued Along with offering assistance was the privilege and opportunity to know each other better. In 2001, Romans and Sarah visited St. David’s. That same year, Romans was enrolled in Redcliffe College, Gloucester, England to obtain the equivalent of a master’s degree in Applied Theology. He graduated in May 2004. St. David’s also assisted Bishop Evans Kisekka’s son, Dennis, a student at Ugandan Christian University, from which he graduated in October 2003. Closing the circle, a grandson of Bishop Mukasa, the original contact with the diocese in Pennsylvania and Mityana, commuted from a great distance to attend Trinity Children’s Centre (TCC) because of its excellent reputation.
August 2004
In August 2004, another team from St. David’s visited the Trinity Children’s Centre (TCC). This team consisted of Frank Allen (rector), Cynthia
Anderson (teacher, preschools), Mel Bonder (teacher), Christina Dittmann (high school student), Diana Garson (nurse), Nereida Gordon (leader), Stephanie Hedges (high school math teacher), Teresa Marlino (doctor), Megan Suva-Urwin (high school student) and Julia Urwin (pharmaceutical librarian).
Resting at Lake Nabugabo
Seated: D. Garson, C. Dittman, Rev. R. Serunjogi, N. Gordon
Standing: Dr. Marlino, Lydia Nakitende, S. Hedges, M. Suva-Urwin, Nurse Joy, C. Anderson, Rev. Allen, Driver Samuel, J. Urwin and M. Bonder
The expressions on the children’s faces were all one needed as thanks
Mission Visits
Customs was difficult again. Romans had collected a container full of goods while in England which was held up by the bureaucracy. Once released, it was a joyful day to see the computers, chairs, bicycles, books, sewing machines, farming tools and much else that arrived in the container on the back of a truck.
Nurse Joy Nsambe, who had assisted Herberta Smith, went to a bulk pharmacy with Nereida to buy medical supplies. Joy joined Teresa and Diana in the very successful clinics that were held at both schools, enhancing the visitors’ understanding of the medical and nutritional needs of the students and teachers. Cynthia Anderson conducted vibrant pre-school art classes.
The Centenary High School facilities continued to grow. During the 2004 visit, there was a grand opening ceremony of the completed St. David’s Main Hall, which was conceived to be far more than just a school venue. Eventually this hall would become a money-generating business rented out for large gatherings, weddings and lectures.
Ceremonies were on the top of the list on this occasion, a special time for Ugandans to say thank you. Frank Allen performed the flipping of the switch at the Maize Mill, recognizing the astonishing construction undertaken by the villagers.
On the last two evenings, the group visited St. Peter’s Church with the Prayer Shawl ministry. Women came in large numbers, finding this to be a perfect opportunity to gather and socialize. St. David’s supported this ministry with supplies in hopes of finding a mini-business opportunity by which the group could support itself.
Stephanie Hedges teaching knitting for Prayer Shawls
Cynthia Anderson’s art class
Mission Visits
It was in connection with this idea that St. David’s sponsored a lecture/talk from Craig Cole, the Executive Director of Five Talents, a micro-lending arm of the Anglican church.
During this 2004 trip, the medical team noted the obvious malnutrition of many of the day students. The St. David’s travelers learned that many children came to school without food and had none during the day, so their only meal was at night. St. David’s team decided that an emphasis would be on feeding those children for the forseeable future. At that time, the cost was approximately 20 cents per child per day, which seemed a small amount With so many to feed, and with monthly meds also needed for de-worming, this was a monumental commitment.
May 2005
A one-week whirlwind trip in the spring included: Cynthia Anderson (preschool teacher and leader), Alison Cutler (mom), Carolyn Fox (daughter and high school student), Barbara Hartman (mom and long-time supporter of the projects), and Stephanie Hedges (high school math teacher). Three days of travel allowed for only four days in Uganda but the adventurers made efficient use of their time. They instructed the CHS students on the graphic calculators that had been donated, learning quickly that these bright students needed very little instruction.
Textbooks were needed for the lower grades so the visitors shopped at the local Kampala bookstore. St. David’s had been gradually supplying the children with their textbooks which make up the school library. Another important task was administering the de-worming medicine and vitamin pills for everyone in both schools. Along with the medicines, the team distributed a personal package of school supplies to each child.
On this trip, the team also made a visit to the drum shops, stopped at the equator and toured to the Bujagali Falls near Jinja, the source of the Nile.
October 2005
The travelers on this trip came in two “waves.”
Cynthia Anderson, Diana Garson, Nereida Gordon and Carol Madeja arrived a few days ahead of Betsy Legnini and son, Sean Legnini. Three of the members were new to Uganda and were introduced to the schools and the people of the schools. The travelers again stayed at Namirembe Guest House while in Kampala and at the Hotel Brovad while at Centenary.
Girls Dormitory at TCC
Mission Visits
De-worming pills and vitamins were purchased with the help of nurse Joy Nsamba. The group learned that it was more economical to buy the more expensive pills that lasted for six months.
Along with the de-worming medicine and vitamins, the visitors distributed a pencil and eraser for every primary school child and a pen on a cord for the high school students and teachers. There were neckties for the men teachers and purses and scarves for the women teachers. To complete their needs, more textbooks were purchased for the lower grades.
Again, the team was entertained by the students at both schools and given free access to the classrooms (TCC) where they delighted in the improvements since the last trip. The second level at Trinity Children’s Centre was complete with three new classrooms, all painted white to enhance the light quality. A boys’ dormitory at Trinity was being built and Nereida attended its opening at the end of the month. The girls’ dormitory at Centenary was completed and occupied. Foundations were being laid for a two-story science building at Centenary in the central court area.
The Maize Mill was complete and in full swing with four grinding machines. A pig program had replaced the chicken program; pigs were housed in the rooms behind the mill. Workers were busy repairing and making the steel gates and windows for the school buildings.
Romans took everyone for a half-day tour of his village area in Masaka and several trips were made to the crafts markets. Betsy, Sean and Nereida spent most of one full day looking at
used cars in many lots. A van/car was finally purchased as a special gift.
After Betsy and Sean headed home, the other four traveled to western Uganda, taking a bus out to Semliki Valley and spent two wonderful nights. There is a strong effort being made to gradually bring back animals that have disappeared from the area.
Romans by the tree under which he was born
Grinder in the Maize Mill
Mission Visits
Nereida stayed on alone for the rest of the month of October and was able to join the knitting group at St. Peter’s Church. She visited with several Americans working in Uganda as missionaries and as post-college assigned workers. At the end, Nereida attended the very lavish wedding of Dennis Ndwalla Kisekka in Luwero.
April/May 2006
Sarah and Romans came to Philadelphia for the dedication of St. David’s new chapel which offered an opportunity to discuss and evaluate twenty years of growth of the two schools in Uganda and other associated projects. In all the meetings, Romans and Sarah shared stories of life in Uganda and always invited their friends at St. David’s to come see for themselves.
During their visit, unfortunately, Sarah was diagnosed with gall bladder problems and, through the generosity of doctors at Paoli Hospital and other private donors, she was assured of good care. She returned home with Romans to secure care for the children, then returned for a successful surgery in August.
The official launch of ECHOES Around the World took place during this period. Nereida had been approached by several businesses and school groups wanting to help financially but noting that they were not allowed to give money through a church. Mel Bonder and Nerida developed ECHOES, a non-profit organization that grew out of the connection of St. David’s Church with the people of Uganda. Though ECHOES has no direct connection with St. David’s Church, some church members are on the board of ECHOES and there is a strong affinity between the two organizations.
November/December 2006
The next speedy trip was in November 2006 to celebrate 20 years of continuous education at the Trinity Children’s Centre in Kabowa. This is a huge accomplishment in Africa. The school was established in 1986 solely by Africans and continued successfully for its first ten years. In 1996 the school fell on hard times mostly due to the scourge of AIDS which left orphaned students unable to pay tuition. When St. David’s learned that the school was near closing, the church partnered with the founders of TCC to carry on the educational mission. The Ugandan goals became a shared dream.
The trippers for this brief visit were Rector Rev. W. Frank Allen, Dr. Joe Bonn, Cynthia Anderson, Carol Madeja and Tom and Nereida Gordon. Romans, founder of TCC, made all the arrangements and personally escorted the team on a tour of the facilities that come under the umbrella of Romans 8:1 Ministries. They are Trinity Children’s Centre Primary and Preschool
Mission Visits
(TCC); The Maize Mill and the emerging Double Cure Medical Centre (DCMC), both in Mpigi; and then Centenary High School (CHS) in Masaka. While touring the various facilities, many fruit trees were planted with the hope that one day the students can enjoy the harvest.
Saturday was a day of shopping and sightseeing at the Source of the Nile and the Falls. Sunday was the day of celebration that started at 7 a.m. for students and 9 a.m. for visitors, a celebration that lasted until 7:30 in the evening. The festivities began with a
The visiting team was thoroughly amazed at the accomplishments and the growth made by its partners since the beginning of the year. After touring, the group rested for the evening at Lake Nabugabo before returning to Kampala.
service led by Frank Allen, assisted by several local church leaders. This was followed by amazing performances that included poems, songs, and dances by every class. There was entertainment by the school band, food for everyone gathered and, finally, the teachers celebrated by dancing on the stage. Nearly 3,000 people gathered in that tight school quadrangle to cheer, to laugh, to be fed, and to have a fabulous day of celebration. It was a privilege for the St. David’s group to be a part of the festivities.
Rev. Frank Allen planted a tree to symbolize sinking roots in Uganda.
Rev. Frank Allen showing TCC calendar with Romans
The crowd inside the ‘tight quadrangle’
Mission Visits
The group also toured the construction site of the developing Double Cure Medical Center, which would open in Spring 2007. This initial phase would see between 350 and 400 patients each week. The inpatient wards would have 10 beds each for children, female adults, and male adults. The center would operate a mobile unit to bring medical care to the homebound and undertake public health educational programs. The group witnessed the unveiling of a plaque marking the start of concerted efforts through Dr. Joe Bonn and the ECHOES team to supply funds, medicines, and equipment to open the center.
Everyone except the Gordons flew off very early the next morning. Tom and Nereida were able to visit other friends and revisit the clinic. Once again, it was hard to leave.
March 2007
Seven parishioners traveled to Uganda from St. David's in March 2007 to be introduced to the mission. They painted and helped as needed at the newly opened Double Cure Medical Centre. The group observed continued progress in both the physical plant and in the welfare of the children in the schools that St. David’s supports.
2008
2008 brought a very exciting development to the St. David's-Uganda Mission when Cynthia Anderson, a parishioner who joined St. David’s in 2000, answered a call to become St. David's first in-country Outreach liaison. In late February, Cynthia moved to Uganda to live for a period of two years among the people that
Dr. Joe Bonn and Romans at the unveiling of the Double Cure plaque honoring Joe’s efforts to open the center
Sean Legnini and fellow travelers
Mission Visits
St. David's has come to love through this Outreach mission. Living at Namirembe Guest House (an Anglican-based hostel in Kampala) and teaching English to students at Trinity Children's Centre, Cynthia became the eyes and ears of St. David’s and hosted several visitors from the U.S. who traveled to give of their time, talent and treasure to the Uganda Mission.
April 2009 Trip
St. David’s gave grant money in 2007 to put a roof on St. Peter’s Church and in 2008 to install windows. The April 2009 trip centered on helping install a floor in the church. The travelers were: Mark and son Greg Lane, Mike Mayer and son Richard, Jim Mack, and Andrew Kuhn.
St. Peters school children in front of St. Peter’s church
Andrew Kuhn (St. David’s Youth Minister) with St. Peter’s students
Greg Lane working on the floor in St. Peter’s Church
Mission Visits
July 2009 Trip
Travelers Amy Allen with son Ben, Laney Vogt and son Spencer, Diana Funchion with daughter Katie, Karen Sheep and her daughter Caroline visited both schools. They also went to Double Cure to paint and “work” in the clinic. The group visited an orphanage and also a pregnant teens outreach facility. They took a short safari in Western Uganda as well as a trip to Jinja, the source of the Nile. The group was hosted by St. David's liaison in Uganda, Cynthia Anderson. They took donated soccer equipment for the school children.
Ugandan Partners visit St. David's, April 2012
It was an amazing month for Outreach as St. David’s continued to grow its relationship with their partners in Uganda. Sometimes growth is hardly discernible, little increments over time, but April wasn’t like that; it was a big jump when Romans Serunjogi and his wife, Sarah, along with Patrick Wakkonyi and his wife, Sarah, (yes, two Sarahs) visited St. David’s. Since many at St. David’s have touched Uganda at some time over the 30year relationship, Romans and his wife, Sarah, were known and loved, so a sense of renewal was evident.
Laney Vogt teaching students at TCC
Ben Allen, Spencer Vogt and Caroline Sheep prepare walls at DCMC
Mission Visits
Our engagement with St. Peter’s and with Patrick and Sarah Wakkonyi was more recent, so this time proved the perfect opportunity to grow our faith together. Of course, we had fun with both families. “It takes a village to raise a child” is an African proverb; it truly felt like a village supporting their visit to the US. There was much to be organized in terms of volunteers and logistics: host families, airport runs, pick-ups and drop-offs, site seeing activities, bible studies, trips to local Outreach programs and a final celebration party For Romans, there was an operation to undergo. St. David’s relationships with its Ugandan partners has been central to this exciting and productive mission.
Uganda Trip, October 2012
Rev. Matt. Holcombe and 9 parishioners (Julia Urwin, Alicia Holcombe, Betsy and Jay Aikens, Cheri McCaslin, Dee Dee Heywood, Terry Hyatt, Leslie Roy and Liesel Johantgen) visited Uganda in 2012. The travel route involved an overnight flight to London, where the group spent the day exploring, and then another overnight flight to Uganda. They stayed at TAL Cottages since the Namirembe Guest House was being renovated.
The group spent the day at St. Peter’s Church school where they were entertained by the children, had lunch with them, gave out Beanie Babies and pencils. They played Net Ball (the local’s form of girls’ basketball). and later toured a pregnancy crisis ministry that they support. The day ended with dinner at Patrick and Sarah Wakkonyi’s home.
The next day was spent at Trinity Children’s Centre, being entertained by the children and helping with the lunch service and cleanup. The group also visited Centenary High School and Double Cure Medical Centre to see the progress being made at both sites. Other activities included a trip to Jinja to see the source of the Nile River, a trip to Romans’ homeland, shopping in the Buganda Road Women’s Craft Market, and an overnight at Lake Nabugabo. It was an exciting learning experience for all of the visitors.
Jay Aikens and Cheri McCaslin sorting beans for the lunch at St. Peter’s Church School
Uganda Trip, November 2014
Mission Visits
Terry Hyatt, Liesel Johantgen, Dee Dee Hayward, Alicia Holcombe, Jay and Betsy Aikens and Cheri McCaslin feeding maize and beans to the students at Trinity Children’s Centre
The original group of ten travelers dwindled to five people (Leslie Roy, Betsy Aikens, Cheri McCaslin, Donna Stone and Stephen Dittmann) due to the Ebola outbreak in Africa. Rev. Matt Holcombe had to return home as he was called away from St. David’s Church.
Nevertheless, they accomplished a lot of work on the trip, spending two days painting classrooms in the newly-built boys’ dormitory and classroom buildings (the original had burned down). The group unloaded suitcases full of school uniforms (collected from a student at Sacred Heart Academy), soccer balls and cleats.
The group also took money for three water tanks which were delivered and installed during the visit. It rained almost every day, so the tanks were full by the time they left Uganda!
Mission Visits
Assembling a cabinet for Double Cure Medical Centre : Cheri McCaslin, Betsy Aikens and Donna Stone with only a kitchen knife and no instructions
The visitors purchased file folders and file cabinets for Double Cure Medical Centre and spent a day putting together the file cabinets (using a knife as a screwdriver) and then filing the patients’ records alphabetically. They also brought donated eyeglasses and medical supplies. Two of them went to a small village where DCMC was providing a free medical outreach day. Villagers attended from all over to get vaccinations, AIDS testing, medications, medical and eye exams, ultrasounds and dental services.
Water tanks for Trinity Children’s Centre
Sarah Serunjogi welcomes visitors to Trinity Children's Centre
Mission Visits
Sunday was an all-day celebration at Trinity Children’s Centre to celebrate the dedication of the new boys’ dormitory, as well as the graduation of the kindergarten students. Fun activities were an overnight safari trip to Lake Mburo National Park, stopping at the Equator, a cultural tour of Kampala and shopping.
Romans and Sarah’s Visit to St. David’s, November 2015 Romans and Sarah Serunjogi came to participate in the celebration for the 300th Anniversary of St. David’s Church. While here, they visited the St. David’s ministries at St. John’s parish in Norristown, St. Mary’s Chester, and St. James School in North Philadelphia.
Romans and Sarah Serunjogi at St. David’s coffee hour
Romans brought this shadow box to Rev. Frank Allen as a reminder of their successful international partnership.
Uganda Trip, September 2016
Mission Visits
The September 2016 trip had a new focus. On the 2012 trip, Leslie Roy had noticed the lack of menstrual supplies for the girls at the schools. After researching this topic for the next few years, Betsy Aikens and Cheri McCaslin came back from the St. David’s mission trip to Alaska in 2015 with a solution – Days for Girls kits. These are washable menstrual kits that last up to three years and are distributed with menstrual health education.
Leslie made some kits to show to Sarah on her visit in 2015 and Sarah said there was a great need for them. Project Ensonga was started in January 2016. Ensonga means “Issue” in Ugandan which is a word used to refer to the menstrual cycle. By September 2016, volunteers had helped make 520 Days for Girls kits.
Students checking out their new kits at TCC
Cissy Claypool and Kim Marren hand out Days for Girls kits at TCC.
TCC children proudly display their kits.
Leslie Roy presents menstrual health education and distributes Days for Girls kits
Mission Visits
Leslie Roy, Kim Marren and Cissy Claypool traveled to Uganda with 12 suitcases filled with the kits. They had to raise $1,200 to pay for the extra luggage. The Days for Girls kits were distributed at Trinity Children’s Centre, Centenary High School, and Double Cure Medical Centre along with menstrual health education. While there, the team also assessed the future needs at each location, went to a recording studio to help make a radio advertisement about Trinity Children’s Centre, and took a three-day safari to Murchison Falls, stopping at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and the Budongo Forest.
Uganda Trip, June 2017
In June, 13 travelers (Leslie Roy, Liesel Johantgen, Teresa and Sophia Marlino, Leslie and Hayden Lewis, Susanna and Sophie Gold, Cammie Cunningham, Olivia Brink, Emily and Margo Pancoast, and Eric Rodgers-Vargo left for Uganda with 27 large suitcases full of donations. This was the first large youth trip to Uganda since 2009. After 22 hours of travel, they were greeted by Romans and Sarah Serunjogi along with family members and school students. They filled the school’s new school bus and headed for Kampala. For the next week, the youth group had a non-stop schedule of activities and incredible experiences. Over 1,200 students at Trinity Children’s Centre welcomed the group with songs and dances. The visitors even got to show off their dance moves on stage!
Pumping up soccer balls at Trinity Children’s Centre: Eric Rogers-Vargo, Hayden Lewis,Liesel Johantgen, Leslie Lewis and Cammie Cunningham
Mission Visits
Children were thrilled to receive soccer balls, cleats, art supplies, t-shirts, ties, and Beanie Babies. They loved the smiley face stickers, balloons, and jump ropes that were purchased using St. David’s outreach money. Visitors served the students their lunch of maize The highlight of the visit was the soccer match – Uganda 3 vs. USA 1.
During a visit to Centenary High School the group toured the three-story classroom building which was under construction. They gave out more soccer balls, cleats, t-shirts and ties, along with 125 washable Days for Girls kits which were made by Project Ensonga volunteers. The girls were also given menstrual health education.
One day was spent at Double Cure Medical Centre for a day of outreach. Patients came to receive free medical treatment because their small villages lacked medical facilities. St. David’s visitors helped by painting buildings, performing eye chart exams, taking blood pressure, assisting the dentist pulling teeth, handing out medications, vaccinating babies and distributing Days for Girls kits to new mothers. Dr. Teresa Marlino had a full day of examining patients. There was a new appreciation for the medical care available in the USA.
A child loves a new Beanie Baby.
Leslie Roy distributing Days for Girls kits at Centenary High School
Mission Visits
Above: Feeding the children with maize and beans at Trinity
Right: Lunch at Trinity: A brother holds his infant sibling while the children eat with their hands.
Mission Visits
An overnight safari was part of the travelers’ 2017 adventure. Their tents overlooked Lake Mburo and they were thrilled to see giraffes, hippos, impala and monkeys.
Uganda Trip, July 2018
A small group went to Uganda in July 2018, including Rev. Frank Allen, Teresa Marlino, Nereida Gordon, Sarah Champlin and Leslie Roy. This was a trip of celebrations for the accomplishments of St. David’s Ugandan partners.
Dr. Teresa Marlino spent several long days helping Dr. Lydia Nakitende with operations and seeing patients at Double Cure Medical Centre.
Everyone celebrated the outstanding results of national examinations by students at both Trinity Children’s Centre and Centenary High School. The support they received from St. David’s to provide proper nutrition to the students contributed to this achievement. The group attended the 20th Anniversary Celebration of CHH and cut the ribbon for the new classroom building which included a computer room A grant from St. David’s purchased 24 new computers. St. David’s grant money also paid for rain barrels, gutters, and third floor escapes.
Susanna Gold and Cammie Cunningham help with eye exams.
Equator stop enroute to Centenary HS and Lake Mburo
Mission Visits
At DCMC, visitors celebrated the unveiling of a plaque for the beginning of a large hospital and nursing school, participated in the free medical outreach, and distributed Days for Girls menstrual kits.
Travelers visited Trinity Children’s Centre to dedicate the new water filtration system and to distribute Days for Girls kits to the mothers of the students.
There was an all-day event with family members and the community at Romans’ and Sarah’s new home. First there was a 35th wedding anniversary celebration for Romans and Sarah, followed by a blessing of their new home and, to top it off, an Introduction Ceremony for their daughter, Faith. (similar to an engagement party). Visitors got to dress in the traditional Uganda clothing –Gomesis and Kantzu.
Right: Romans and Sarah’s 35th wedding anniversary celebration with most of their children
Dr. Teresa Marlino and Dr. Lydia Nakitende at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new hospital at Double Cure Medical Centre
Mission Visits
Romans and Lydia’s Visit, September/October 2019
Romans and his daughter Lydia came to the US in September/October 2019. They were excited to be able to attend the St. David’s Fair. The rest of the time Romans was busy visiting construction sites to learn as much as he could about building a fivestory hospital. Lydia was able to visit several hospitals and Eastern University School of Nursing to learn more about what is needed to set up a hospital and nursing school.
Romans Serunjogi, Nereida Gordon, Sarah Champlin, Leslie Roy, Frank Allen and Teresa Marlino dressed in Gomesis and Kantzu for Celebrations
Romans visits a construction site with Martin Kimmel and Anne Cunningham.
Romans and Lydia visit Mary Poor’s grave in St. David’s churchyard.
Mission Visits
Uganda Trip, June 2020
Cancelled due to COVID-19
Masaka, Uganda, June 2022
Sarah and her team of sewers became an official Gold Certified Days for Girls Enterprise in June 2022. They are now able to fill orders for Days for Girls kits in Uganda and get paid to make them. This process started in October 2016, when Days for Girls came to Trinity Children’s Centre to teach the tailors and some students to make Days for Girls kits. They were using sewing machines that were donated in 2005. Project Ensonga has been assisting them in this journey by sending money for fabric and sewing machines necessary to start this enterprise. During COVID, sewers were able to continue making DfG kits for the girls and teachers at Trinity and Centenary when St. David’s groups were unable to travel to Uganda with kits.
In October 2022, the DfG Enterprise filled their first order of 100 kits. They spent three days in Gulu delivering their kits and teaching the menstrual health course. What an amazing accomplishment!
Lydia visiting the ICU at Lankenau with Megan Roy in 2019
Sarah and her first order
Days for Girls distribution in Gulu
Mission Visits
Uganda Trip, November 2023
A mission team was finally able to travel to Uganda again in November 2023. The team included Leslie Roy, Dr. Teresa Marlino, Eileen Kraut, Elizabeth Vandiver, Rev. Thomas Szczerba, Dr. Peter and Bonnie Motel, Fran Keen, and Bernadette Connaughton. This was a trip to see the Double Cure Hospital and School of Nursing and Midwifery in person. The foundation for this building was being dug in 2018, on the last visit to Uganda. The group was thrilled to see the finished hospital, perched on top of a hill. Demonstrating their commitment, St. David’s Ugandan partners were able to fund over two-thirds of the building costs.
The beautiful building, off the Masaka Highway on St. David’s Road, brought tears to many eyes. The team was warmly welcomed by all of the hospital staff and the nursing students.
The beautiful Double Cure Hospital and School of Nursing and Midwifery
Mission Visits
Romans Serunjogi and Dr. Lydia Nakitende had a wonderful vision for a first-rate hospital and filled it with kind and compassionate staff. Outside the hospital, there is even a Minella’s Canteen that sells food and drinks to the hospital staff and visitors.
Right: Romans holds the sign for the road leading to the new hospital. St. David’s grant money paid for the road.
The Minella’s Canteen, named for the diner in Wayne, PA, is Romans’ favorite place to eat when he visits St. Davids Church.
Mission Visits
Rev. Thomas Szczerba blessed the St. David’s Church Floor at the new hospital.
Group photo at Trinity Children’s Centre in front of the Nereida Gordon building!
Mission Visits
During the 2023 mission, visitors toured the hospital and nursing school, nursing dorms, staff housing and the old medical centre buildings now being used for the nursing school dining hall and classrooms. The group brought medical supplies that were sorted by department. The hospital had an outreach event where free services were offered for those in the surrounding community who cannot afford medical care. Dr. Marlino and Dr. Motel saw patients. Fran Keen, a retired Villanova nursing professor, worked with the nursing school. Money from St. David’s and ECHOES was provided to purchase needed medical equipment for the hospital and nursing skills lab.
There was a day spent visiting Centenary High School where the students welcomed the group with dances before getting back to studying for their government exams. On Sunday, there was an all-day celebration at Trinity Children’s Centre – a church service, kindergarten graduation, and end-of-the-year performances by all of the students and faculty. Parents of the students also attended the event. Tours of the schools offered a chance to review the improve-ments needed at both TCC and CHS.
Kindergarten graduate at Trinity Children’s Centre
Dancing students at CHS
Students performing at TCC
Mission Visits
Leslie, Eileen and Elizabeth visited the Days for Girls office in Kampala with Sarah Serunjogi before going to the Brain Tree School, a sister school to Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA. They distributed 200 DfG menstrual kits made by Sarah’s DfG Enterprise. Sewing supplies and Days for Girls swag were given to the tailors at Trinity who have been making the kits. They were thrilled to have these items and really love making the kits. Money from St. David’s was given to each of the schools as well as materials to make 300 DfG kits for the TCC and CHS students who need them.
The team stayed at a newer hotel this trip – the Maya Nature Center, located on a hilltop near Mpigi. They took a three-day safari to Murchison Falls where they saw many animals up close, the highlight being the lion that approached their van and crossed the road right behind them.
Leslie Roy and Eileen Kraut (back row) with Sarah Serunjogi (left front) and her Days for Girls tailors.
Mission Visits
St. David’s Uganda partners continue to astonish all the mission groups with the work they are doing to help so many less fortunate people in Uganda.
Dr. Teresa Marlino (front), Leslie Roy (right) and Elizabeth Vandiver (in the back) with students at Centenary High School
Conclusion
Some Highlights of the Past 14 Years
Double Cure Medical Centre has captured the imagination of several U.S. doctors and nurses who have traveled to its location in Mpigi, Uganda. These doctors and nurses also give time to Dr. Lydia Nakitende (Sarah and Romans’ eldest daughter), the head of Double Cure, when she visits in the United States. Double Cure has expanded into a five-floor modern building, with the 5th floor housing a nursing school. People flock to this facility and wait for hours just to be seen by a competent medical professional.
Both schools (TCC and CHS) have expanded with several more buildings that were badly needed to accommodate the growing student enrollment, which has come as a result of impressive exam results by the present students.
A Fruitful Partnership
The partnership between St. David’s and the Ugandan people has been built on personal relationships and trust, shaped over time between honest, responsible people who are willing to listen and learn from one another. Trust is a powerful bond. Given disparate histories and cultures, listening and observing are essential to understanding, and understanding can ultimately lead to trust.
For more than 50 years, St. David’s has developed a powerful trusting relationship with the people it supports in Uganda. The partnership has been fruitful for all: the schools and their students, the churches and the medical facility that St. David’s supports, as well as for the students and parishioners from St. David’s who have visited these African partners to be introduced to a new culture and to make lasting friendships.
Romans, his family members and this close-knit group have been trustworthy stewards of the funding provided by St. David’s as they have built schools, a hospital, a Maize Mill and provided education to countless children. St. David’s has good reason to be proud of this partnership.
St. David’s continues to assess its work in Uganda. Going forward, all the needs have to be assessed year by year. The church hopes to continue to reach out to many volunteers and contributors to help this small Ugandan community of children and teachers and to give them the gift of HOPE for the future.
