This project concerns the building of a small church for the people of Napumpum so that they can pray together, protected from the elements. It will be a simple building with cement block walls and a wooden frame for the roof which will have corrugated iron sheets as a covering.

The Mill Hill team is in Kotido Diocese because it is one of the least developed and isolated parts of Uganda. Their Charism is to go to the least of this world, and these people are certainly that.  Although Missionaries have been here for 70 years  (St Joseph's Missionaries are just completing 10) the people have not responded as they have done in other areas of Uganda. They see their brief as proclaiming the Kingdom of God which is larger than Church, but includes it.  Thus they are involved in various people centred projects – currently functional adult literacy, leadership development, and HIV/AIDS awareness, as well as boring wells so that people can have clean water. They are also catechising those who apply for Baptism and praying regularly with the various Christian Communities.

Napumpum is one of the larger villages with a population of 13,000.  People live in secure compounds surrounded by thick thorn bushes. The entrances through the outer perimeter and into the houses within are so low that you have to crawl in.  All of this is to prevent cattle raiders from entering.  The cattle stay in a kraal situated in the middle of the compound.  Cattle are the main potential source of wealth but are not seen as an economic asset. They are used for marrying, and are constantly being raided.

About half of the population is baptised, but only around 100 are regular attendants at Sunday prayers.     The area is very windy and exposed. Fr Bernard Phelan was there last week celebrating Mass under a tree.  He had to anchor everything with stones to stop them blowing away. It has been found that in other places where churches have been built,  attendance numbers grow once there is a Church. We are confident that this will be the case in Napumpum if a Church is built.

The Church will also be used as a community centre where the Functional Adult Literacy and the HIV/AIDS programme will meet, plus the youth and the Catechumens who will be following literacy classes.

The estimate for the church is £12,000.  This would cover materials, labour and transport.  It will be built by the Diocesan building team which is supervised by one of the Mill Hill Missionaries who ensures high building standards are maintained.  The local people will dig sand and gravel.

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SPICMA, 1st Floor, Chequers House, Watton Road, Ware, Herts. SG12 0AA
E-Mail: spicma@talktalk.net

Charity Registration No 270794. Established in 1967
Patrons: Bishop Thomas McMahon, Sir Hugh Rossi