C-L Graduate Leads ‘Heart For Uganda’ in Rescuing Needy African Children, Tackling Education & Paper Jams

Ron Wilshire

Ron Wilshire

Published May 12, 2015 4:30 am
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CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – A spirit of support for helping the most impoverished and needy children in small village in Africa stretches all the way from Clarion County to Kyenjojo, Uganda, thanks to the efforts and leadership of a Clarion-Limestone graduate.

(Photo above: Victor, Alissa, Caleb, and Vanea Sande.)

Alissa Cooper-Sande quit her teaching job at C-L over seven years ago and had a one-way ticket to Uganda armed only with a desire to fulfill her childhood dream of rescuing children in Africa.

“The ‘Heart for Uganda’ non-profit organization is based in Clarion County, and all of the board members are local to the area,” said Brad Coulson, a member of the local “Heart for Uganda” non-profit organization.

“Many of the local churches know of and support the organization. There are a number of us that have traveled to Uganda, my wife and myself included, who would be more than willing to share more information.”

Alissa and her husband, Pastor Victor Sande, have been impressive over the years adding needed educational and medical facilities to their base of operation but never losing track of their spiritual mission.

“Our primary purpose for existence is to carry the hope and love of Jesus to the despairing in Uganda and empower them to create a better future for themselves,” states heartforugana.org.

“We endeavor to do this by rescuing the orphaned and vulnerable children, providing educational and medical services to the community, encouraging spiritual development through church and discipleship programs, offering employment opportunities, and inspiring children and adults by our words and actions.”

Fundraising is essential for the ministry and improving the lives in this African Printer02village.  However, the latest campaign is an effort to defeat a terror of the modern world.  Paper jams.

“Even in this day and age of technology and social media, how much do you still rely on paper and printed materials?” said Coulson. “If you work in an office, you likely know the frustration of paper jams and printer outages. If you are a student or have children in school, you know that a copier is a critical piece of equipment in churning out worksheets and homework for students.”

“Heart For Uganda” is trying to raise money for a new printer/copier in their village through a dedicated fundraising campaign (razoo.com/story/HFU-Paper-Jam).

Printer03The printer/copier used by the Ugandan staff and primary school teachers needs to be replaced.

“If you would like to help the children and teachers at the school or the office staff continue to improve the lives of the people in Uganda, please use the link above to donate to the campaign,” said Coulson.

The group also holds prayer meetings on the last Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the first Presbyterian Church in Clarion.  All are welcome.

Alissa is planning to return to the states from August 23 until January 14, 2016. She will be available to speak at any event and can be scheduled at heartforuganda@gmail.com.

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