This article appeared in the Catholic Transcript on Nov 30 2010:
MILFORD – When Jane Holler and her husband, Daniel
Marecki, first visited Africa in 1997, their five-star tented camps were
so luxurious "that we had no idea about the poverty that was all around
us," she said. From left are Daniel
Marecki; Father Emmanuel Kakaaga Byaruhanga of Rwesigiire, Uganda; Jane
Holler; and Father Maurice J. Maroney, Pastor of St. Gabriel Parish in
Milford. (Photo by Mary Chalupsky) "Everything was like a Disney World kind of safari,"
Ms. Holler recalled. "We didn’t see local people, just those in the
tourist camps." But that all changed when St. Gabriel Parish
established a relationship with St. Brendan Parish in Tanzania and
priests began coming to visit their seaside parish. "I made a point of entertaining them and getting to
know them, and as a result, my husband and I have made several visits to
Tanzania and Uganda," she said, adding that they slowly were immersed
in the impoverished culture, the people and their needs. The result is Uganda Farmers Inc., a nonprofit the
couple started in 2007, that already has raised thousands of dollars for
people in Uganda to buy goats and provide water to one village. "We realized that we could tap into our parish only
so much, so we started the nonprofit to help out our friends in Uganda,"
said Ms. Holler, who shares a law partnership with her husband in
Milford. Now, after a visit this past summer from Father
Emmanuel Kakaaga Byaruhanga, rector of a minor seminary with 250
students, the couple is working to raise $26,000 for his villagers in
Uganda to drill a well for water. Father Byaruhanga said his small village of
Rwesigiire has no water or electricity. Villagers have to walk two miles
each way to the nearest spring to collect water for drinking, cooking,
bathing, and watering animals. Initial plans for the water project, which will
benefit 300 people, call for a borehole to be drilled in the center of
the village for manually pumped water. If engineers need to go beyond
300 feet, additional funds will go toward the purchase of a generator
for pumping water at deeper levels. Ms. Holler insisted that their fund-raising is well worth the effort. "We’ve been so blessed to be involved in this
project," she said. "Every time we go to visit Africa, the people are so
kind and grateful for all the assistance. "It’s so beautiful to see," she continued. "The
people were so thrilled to show us their progress, and get all dressed
up to express their respect and thanks. They’re just such kind people,
and work together as a community to benefit all. "It’s a very spiritual, prayerful gathering," she
noted. "In fact, every meeting and every trip begins and ends with
prayer to thank God, knowing that everything comes from him." Three years ago, they worked with Holy Cross Father
George Muganyizi in Kyembogo to help raise funds to buy 350 goats at $25
each that provide milk for families; drill a well, and purchase land
and a tractor for agricultural projects. Now, when she and her husband
go to Africa, they opt to stay in the homes of villagers. "There’s no
electricity or running water, but it’s not important," said Ms. Holler.
"They meet to tell stories, review the homework of their children who
have no books, sing together, and pray until it gets dark. It’s just a
beautiful, simple time to gather together as a family." She recalled that during one visit, they spent a week at a parish house going with the priests to remote villages for Mass. "When the priests arrive, the villagers are dressed
and waiting," she said. "Then the music starts and the Mass lasts from
three to three-and-a-half hours. It’s just such a joyous occasion." "Every time we go to Africa, we come back with so
much more than we brought," she said. "The rich prayer life, the
praising and gratitude to God is so evident. We learn so much from their
humility and try to emulate them in our own world where we have so
much." To raise funds for the water project, Uganda Farmers
is organizing a 5K race and a golf tournament for the spring, and is
seeking sponsors for both events. People can also contribute by purchasing a "share" in
the water project. A tax-deductible donation of $80 will provide water
for one person for life and vastly help to improve the quality of life
and standard of living in the village, the couple said. If donations are made in the name of another person,
Uganda Farmers will send a card to the donor’s loved one, friend or
colleague to acknowledge the donation in his or her name. Donations may be sent to: Uganda Farmers, Inc., c/o
Holler & Marecki LLC, 31 Cherry St., Suite 109, Milford, CT 06460.
Information is available by visiting www.ugandafarmersinc.org or calling
(203) 376-3283. "We’ve been given this opportunity as a conduit to
make the world a little smaller and hopefully better by connecting
people," she said. "Clearly, it’s the Holy Spirit who has been guiding
our lives." |
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