Quakerism's enduring, strong support

For over 400 years, the Religious Society of Friends has been creating meaningful change throughout the world. Its programs have been based on a living connection with God, equality, peace, and integrity.  Historically, having a relatively small number of members, Friends, none-the-less, have had significant influence on world affairs as well as the affairs of nations, states, local regions and individuals. The quiet, consistent voice of integrity that Quakers exhibit has made real and positive change. As a good example, explore the life of Steve Cary.  Of Steve’s many contributions, he helped lead the Quaker relief effort throughout Europe after WWII, the American Quaker Relief Operation.  The Operation received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947 for its humanitarian service. He also worked closely with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).  In Steve’s words, “….every great challenge in expanding the dimensions of human freedom has come from a very small original beginning: somebody said no.”

Keeping with that spirit, the foundation for the Bududa Learning Center has come from a host of supportive Quaker connections that began even before the first work camp in 2003. Here is a listing of some of the Quaker-based support:

   

African Greats Lake Initiative and Friends Peace Teams (AGLI):  This Quaker organization is the seed from which BLC has sprung. The program began in 1975 by conducting Alternative to Violence workshops (AVP) in US prisons. In 1999, a group calling themselves Friends Peace Teams (FPT) sent a delegation to Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, bringing the AVP format to help with reconciliation work in East Africa.  They focused on peace building, conflict resolution, and trauma healing. David Zarembka, a leader in this delegation, then helped to form the African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI) to continue this work in East Africa. These groups all worked from the idea that, “Those who understand community best are those that live there.”  AGLI then began to organize more permanent programs in areas of East Africa, including the BLC in Bududa, Uganda. AGLI also collaborated with the American Friends Service Committee.

David and his wife Gladys.  They now live in Kenya

 Peter Yeomans, a member of the Germantown Monthly Meeting, first came to East Africa with the Friends Peace Teams.  He used the research from this experience to complete his Masters in Psychology.  While in Uganda for FPT, Peter connected with local Quakers in Bududa to put the BLC plan into action.  He was also a member of the first work camp in Bududa in 2003 and has kept his connection to AGLI and BLC ever since. Peter’s wife, Kate, and daughter, Ada, have been a part of the program, too (see below under Germantown Friends School).

Peter's daughter, Ada O'Shea, volunteering at BLC, 2018

Germantown Monthly Meeting:  This Meeting has been a center of US support for BLC since BLC’s beginning in 2003.  They have provided Clearness Committees for those going to Bududa and have given space for presentations, discussions, and potlucks for fundraising.  They have sent members, both younger and older, to Bududa to work and help.  In 2014, Karen Lightner represented the Meeting at the BLC dedication and brought a large picture of all Meeting members that now hangs at school. They have also provided folks, like Gay Johnson, who have given generous financial support.

Reunion of 2033 work campers in Bududa in 2018:  Barbara Wybar, Kate O'Shea, DK, and David Z.

Germantown Monthly Meeting photo given to BLC

Barbara Wybar: Barbara is a member of Germantown Monthly Meeting and as the Executive Director of BLC has been the heart and soul of the program since she came to the first work camp in 2003. She has led the program since 2007 and has twice overseen moving the school’s campus.  The current location was dedicated in 2014 and was a wonderful celebration that Barbara organized and led.  It included a guest visiting by helicopter, a first for Bududa, and a full brass band!  She also was a parent at Germantown Friends School and Penn Charter as well as an assistant teacher at GFS. 

Barbara (center) with Karen and DK

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting: They have provided funding support through the Pemberton Fund.

East African Quakers:  There are as many East African Quakers as there are Quakers in the US. Many Ugandan, Kenyan, Burundian, and Rwandan Quakers have worked in the program; people like Justine, who runs the guesthouse and has a child in COB, and Pastor John, a local Quaker Pastor, who has been involved since 2003 and also had a child, Agnes, in the program.  The support of local Quakers for BLC is a true strength of the program.

Justine:  Guesthouse Manager, mother of COB Betty, and Ugandan Quaker

Agnes, original COB, daughter of Quaker Pastor John, and  herself a Ugandan Quaker

Simon and wife Evelyn, with Kate, Ada, DK and KV.  Evelyn now works for BLC and Simon was a leader in the early work camps.  Both are Uganda Quakers.

Quaker Schools:

Germantown Friends School: (GFS):  GFS has been a main supporter by sending volunteers: we Kerns, the Yeomans, Dave Mraz, , Mia Samuel (plus two other GFS students who created murals around the school), Janet Stern, Malia Paulmier, among others.  They have also sent along soccer balls, games and supplies, and clothing. GFS has had many sponsors for the COB and has even helped with yard sales to raise needed money for the program.  Megan Hess’s second grade class also partnered with COB. This summer Kate O’Shea and daughter Ada are visiting.  Ada is a member of Germantown Monthly Meeting and this year will be a freshman at GFS.  Kate is also a member of Germantown Monthly Meeting, is a current member of the GFS School Committee, and was a member of the first work camp in 2003. Peter Yeomans (see above under AGLI) is Kate’s husband and Ada’s father.

GFS volunteers made a lasting impression by creating maps and murals throughout BLC

William Penn Charter School (PC):  Barbara W. sent her two boys to PC and the school has been a constant supporter. They have sent over soccer shoes/balls, sneakers collected by the Girls On The Run program for BVA’s netball team, held several clothing drives, and even sent along a few baseball gloves/balls.  In addition, teachers Eve Schwartz and Kevin Berkoff, along with his son Cooper, are visiting this summer.  Orit Netter’s first grade class has connected to us through our blog, and when Karen and I were home for a month this spring we were treated to dinner at Darryl and Gail Ford’s house and we gave an assembly on BLC to the Lower School.

Eve, PC Science teacher and 2018 BLC volunteer and Cyrus

 Plymouth Meeting Friends School (PMFS):  Over the years, PMFS has provided sponsors for COB and more recently gave T-shirts to COB.  In addition, Varley Paul’s 6^th grade class connected with us through our blog.

COB students wearing a gift of PMFS T-shirts

 I’m sure there are other Quaker connections that have given support to BLC and if I have missed some, please know it was not intentional. I trust this listing does give a good sense of how much of BLC’s foundation lies in Quaker hands.

“I hope the day will be a lighter highway

For Friends are found on every road.

Can you ever think of any better way

For the lost and weary traveler to go?

Making friends for the world to see,

Let the people know that you got what you need,

With a Friend at hand you will see the light,

And if your Friends are there than everything is alright.”

(Original lyrics by Bernie Taupin and Elton John)