Leuchtturm
(German „Lighthouse“) is facilitating a better quality of life for people in Africa, independent of their nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, gender or personal convictions.
Leuchtturm
(German „Lighthouse“) is facilitating a better quality of life for people in Africa, independent of their nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, gender or personal convictions.
This ministry helps thousands of kids and adolescents to obtain primary and secondary education. One of the prominent education institutes established is Hillside College Mityana, situated about 40 miles west of Uganda’s capital Kampala. This school has become self-reliant and has started programs for the needy in their vicinity.
The donations entrusted to Leuchtturm are mainly used to help people in immediate need, e.g. communities treatened by hunger. Together with our partners in Uganda (PASU) and South Sudan (JAPA) we are working on programs aimed to relieve people of such problems and build up agricultural projects to strenghten sustainable food security.
Following the example of Jesus attending to the needs of people is linked to preaching the gospel. “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with people as one who desired their good. He showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He invited them, “Follow Me.” (MH 143)
Helping Kids
The Leuchtturm donors have helped more than a thousand children attend school through the program. In individual cases, the fund also supports children by paying for school meals, medical expenses, or clothing.
In Uganda, primary school covers grades 1-7. To qualify for university admission, you need a secondary school diploma. This is covered by grades S4-S4 or S6.
South Sudan Project
South Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world. Civil war, disasters, and epidemics have repeatedly set the country back. Of the 11 million inhabitants, 7 million are permanently dependent on aid. We finance our partner organization Joint Action for Poverty Alleviation (JAPA) to provide urgent food aid to families in the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region and to promote agricultural projects. The 1000 Trees for Aweil program is currently underway. Fruit trees are being planted here.
Basua Project
The Basua-Bambuti pygmy people have lived in the region for thousands of years, but were driven out of the Semliki Forest a few years ago after it was designated a national park. The approximately 170 members of this small tribe live in two camps. Without help, they will find it very difficult to learn to cope with life in society. Some of them have given up hope and are using local drugs. Others want more out of life and are starting to work the fields and provide services.
A learning project is being set up here. The shell of the new building in Ntandi is almost complete. The project is expected to be handed over for its intended purpose in the coming months.
Tepeth Project
Karamoja is the poorest and driest region in Uganda. The tribes living there, collectively known as the Karimojong, achieved peace in 2011/12 after decades of violent raids. Since the livestock of these semi-nomads has largely disappeared and difficult agricultural conditions and a lack of knowledge often lead to complete crop failures, there is still a lack of prospects and dependence on emergency food aid from the World Food Programme.
Various projects are being carried out to support the Karimojong in improving their quality of life.
In Tapac (Moroto), among the Tepeth tribe, a first primary school for 200 children is being built to promote early childhood education and child health.
Welfare Program
In parts of Uganda and South Sudan, many people are facing hunger, either temporarily or in the longer term, in some cases on a massive scale. This fund provides straightforward support to people in need.
We support Ishaka Hospital in Bushenyi and a group of hospital employees called “The Good Samaritans.” They care for people in need who are unable to pay for medical expenses.
Hillside College Mityana – a School with the „Head-Hand-Heart“-Program
This school was built with the help of volunteers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Czechia. Contributions came from Pro Homine, the provincial government of Vorarlberg, and Adra Austria. The result is a boarding school where students can earn their Ugandan secondary school diploma and high school diploma (“Head”). It is attended by several hundred students. Many students who come from particularly poor backgrounds receive support from a fund provided by Leuchtturm e.V.
The school offers practical lessons in agriculture, carpentry, sewing, and home economics. Completion of these courses corresponds to the basic courses offered at the country’s vocational schools (“Hand”).
The principles of “help for help” and “help for self-help” are implemented as in almost all Leuchtturm projects. The students get involved in social projects and work assignments for the disadvantaged. This is one of the character-building programs (“heart”).
Hillside College is now financially independent and generally no longer needs support.
Kihhihi
This primary school was built in 2000 as part of a construction project by Leuchtturm e.V. After a little more than two weeks of working together with local builders, the shell of the building was completed and the building materials for the interior were handed over.
In the following years, Leuchtturm e.V. supported 30 children from particularly poor families with school fees. With this regular income, the school was initially able to stabilize its financial situation. In the meantime, there are challenges that we are tackling together with the school management. Thank you to all the donors who spontaneously helped to avert the threat of closure!
Water Projects
Water is essential for life.
Many people in Africa do not have access to clean drinking water. This program finances the construction of hand-operated wells. Leuchtturm e.V. provides the technology and professional labor. Local residents are involved in the non-technical work.
Medical help
Doctors and nurses from the Western World provided assistance and medical advice, for example during our aid missions in Uganda.
With donations for this purpose, we also support the improvement of medical care in more disadvantaged areas, e.g., the health services of the Ishaka Adventist Hospital in Bushenyi.
We also support the development of health and lifestyle projects in Africa.
Christian Mission
This includes prison ministry and pastoral care in various prisons in Uganda, the production of audio Bibles for non-readers with corresponding events for interested parties, and support for SDA lay evangelists. In some cases, these workers help distribute relief supplies to the needy in their region.
The distribution of the Holy Scriptures and, where appropriate, other suitable literature is supported.
Israel
Since April 2020, we have been supporting a group of converts to the SDA church in their mission. Christian literature is mainly published in Hebrew. Anyone who would like to help here is welcome to contribute.