A Few Projects

As Project Manager for the Diocese, I am working on several projects.  Financial goals are different for each project. Some projects must provide big-time financial gains for the diocese to thrive and serve the people. The number of God's people we serve keeps growing at a strong rate. At a minimum, we must have income producing projects that keep pace with that growth. Ideally we need to far exceed that target in order to offer more services.

In the USA our tithe from parishioners greatly increases when more people enter God's grace and join our diocese. Here in Uganda, an increase in parish size doesn't increase the funds we have available for service needs.  In many cases, it actually lowers the actual funding per person.  I know this doesn't always make sense in the American way of thinking, but let me share a short story of what I have discovered in my journey into the Kabale villages. 

Here in Uganda, many families are large.   I toured many villages and sometimes they have 7-10 children per household. They farm the land and raise livestock; lots of chickens and goats, the lucky ones have pigs and the really fortunate have cattle. As these families grow they increase the farming area and raise additional livestock.  It is quite enlightening how they welcome each child as a gift from God. The churches are packed full not only on Sundays but at many Masses and events during the week. The happiness in the hearts of these families are simply inspiring to me.  Those with the least appear to be the happiest. I have thought to myself, it is their faith that makes them happy.  What they lack in resources they make up for in joy, family unity, and faith.

Back to finances and my projects, these families tithe what they can, but the amount doesn't go up with each additional gift of God.  Some of these projects must produce more and more income to the diocese.

My projects that need to generate as much income as possible are the following:

Tea Farms

Short term goal -  we need to farm as effectively as possible. This includes proper fertilizer and weeding. This is well under way.

Medium term goal - we need a large commercial truck to pick up tea leaves and bring to Tea Factory. Currently we contract this part out. It costs us 20% of our gross revenue for this service. I believe we can net an additional 10% profit with this truck. I need to define some details including the continual costs of future truck purchases to make sure that projection is correct.

Long term goal  - find funding to have a diocese owned tea plant. Currently we bring these leaves to the factory that is owned by others. 

My vision points to a fully automated solar powered plant that would greatly reduce our carbon footprint. Currently they cut down trees for fuel to dry the tea leaves.   If we could partner with a forward thinking international company or university to design and fund this, what a remarkable gift to all humankind and God's planet.

Capricon Executive Hotel

Capricon Executive Hotel is another income generating project that has had some problems with revenues being too low and expenses being too high. This is my first hands on project, and the tide has clearly turned. This hotel will add additional funds to the Diocese in a few short months. We need your prayers and everything else we have to be effective.

1. We need six months to show real sustainable profits

2. We always need and give God's Prayers

3. Catholic book stores

Catholic Book Centres

We also manage two Catholic Book Centres.  God has given us great gifts. Not all of these gifts are financially related. The diocese is here to serve the faithful and quite frankly everyone.

These bookstores serve the people, they will never and shouldn't make a big profit.  They will make a different type of profit by preaching the Gospel. It is our obligation as a diocese to supply these Christian items: books, rosaries, bibles, crucifixes, etc., and we accept the challenge and pray to break even.

I finished the chicken coop that I wrote about in a previous blog.  I built it in honor of my father and father-in-law.

One other project we are starting on is planting an apple tree orchard.

Stay tuned...