All of us at krma-USPartners say THANK YOU! 

Your interest and contributions make all our work with the women of KRMA possible. We have so much news to share from our three weeks in Uganda!

Since our launch of the Cassava Project in 2013, this third monitoring trip was the most productive yet. We can see the progress and feel the women’s growing determination to learn and improve. After our visit with each KRMA member, krma-USPartners’ Board member Dayna Brown Majarowitz, a first-time traveler to Kobulubulu, said, “The commitment of these mothers to their children’s education is so clear. They are so motivated to produce income for school fees.”

Ready for Uganda?   We are headed back to Kobulubulu in October! 

We always get excited as we begin plans to return to Uganda. How are the women doing? Are the children healthy and attending school? Are the men finding work that doesn’t take them away from home for too long?

And perhaps most importantly, how are their spirits and sense of hope?  For women who survived the terror of Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army, hopelessness used to be a commonly shared feeling. At krma-USPartners we believe our efforts -- and your donations -- are contributing to major shifts in attitudes as the Cassava Project begins another year and the women generate income for sustenance and school fees!

Last year, The New York Times' columnist Nicholas Kristof wrote that while the evidence is overwhelming that aid from charities large and small can “overcome disease, boost literacy and save lives,” the challenge of raising incomes so that people can move themselves in a sustainable way out of poverty is much more problematic. A large research project involving over 21,000 

“No one in this community can look down on me anymore because I am now highly respected. I can pay my children’s school fees on time without having to wait and see if my husband will have enough money.” 
 
KRMA member Gorretti captures the essence of why krma-US Partners, with your help, supports the cassava agri-business in the far away corner of under-resourced Kobulubulu, Uganda. 

KRMA members share the dramatic impact of this year’s revenues on increased food security and payment of school fees for all of their children. Listen for the hope and sense of dignity that is revealed in their words: 
 
Beatrice, one of the farmers in Kobulubulu and current chair of KRMA, says: 
 “I never imagined I would one day make good money from cassava. Now I can pay tuition and fees on time for my seven children. I can now say to members and to our community how growing cassava has changed our lives. It has done so much for me at a personal level.” 
 

(Excerpts from Award Acceptance Remarks written by Lois Stovall, president of krma­-US Partners and volunteer Jackie Walters. The speech was delivered by Walters in Charleston, S.C. on May 21, 2016)

I read with great interest that part of ARCOA’s mission is to “renew and continue friendships created while in service overseas” and “contribute to international understanding.” These inspiring words of friendship and understanding permeate the essence of the partnership between a group of diverse volunteers, mostly women,  who represent krma-­US Partners here in the U.S. and the 20 women farmers of Kobulubulu, Uganda known as KRMA. In addition to friendship and understanding, I would suggest a third word that drives our organization and this is hope.

Yoga! which is Hello! in Kumam.  We have important news to share!

First, on April 10th, we are hosting an event at Christ Congregational Church on Colesville Road for an exciting update on the First Cassava Harvest in Uganda (see location and directions below). Despite great odds the past several months, the cassava is in and already being sold!

Also at the April 10th event, The Uganda Ministry Team of the church will announce a special project they have adopted to help with girls’ education and women’s empowerment in Kobulubulu. Thank you gifts for all donations will be available for your choice depending on level of the donation.

Before our gathering, here's A Preview of the News from Uganda…