July 2009
We are happy to resume our monthly updates on the progress of the Abayudaya Community Health and Development Project.
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Memorial Service for Gary Tobin
On July 7, 2009, Rabbi Gershom Sizomu led a memorial service for Dr. Gary Tobin, president of the Institute for Jewish & Community Research, who passed away the previous day. Along with his wife Diane, director of Be'chol Lashon, Gary was the driving force behind development within the Abayudaya community.
During the service, Gershom delivered the following eulogy:
Many people are what they are because an Angel of God came their way. For me, my family, and community, Dr. Gary Tobin was this Angel. We would not have imagined that from a village deep in Eastern Uganda, I would travel thousands of miles with my family to study in Rabbinic school, that our villages would be connected to safe clean water systems, and that we would own a health center that would save many lives.
Gary, your presence provided me the confidence and reassurance that things would happen. You taught me that action was more important than words. Your reassuring presence always made me feel safe.
I admired the clarity of your speeches. You always listened keenly to what I had to say and valued my opinion. Your presence will be with us for all days and we will carry forward your dream.
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Health Center To Be Built in Mbale
The Abayudaya Executive Council voted unanimously to build the health center in Mbale because it is more centrally located than the main Abayudaya village in Nabagoye. This decision reflects their commitment to make health care accessible to all.
The success of the planned health center depends upon the preventive health measures now in place. According to feasibility research conducted by Be'chol Lashon, contaminated water and malaria-carrying mosquitos posed the biggest health risks to the community. So in 2007 and 2008, with the support of Be'chol Lashon, the Abayudaya drilled wells in Nabagoye, Namonyonyi, Nasenyi, Namutumba, and Nangolo and shared access to the clean water with their neighbors. In addition, hundreds of mosquito nets were distributed to Jews, Christians, and Muslims in the region.
These efforts engendered cooperation and peace in the region and set the stage for construction of the health center to begin.
