Butesa is a village in the South East corner of Uganda about two hours ride by hired mini van from Tororo. When the British controlled the government they set up a leprosorium on a dirt road about 1 and ½ miles (2 kilometers) from this village. As medicine gained a better understanding of the treatment of leprosy, they found that they didn’t need the lebrosorium any more. It was abandoned. The neighbors received permission to farm the land. Then Uganda achieved independence. The property has continued to be owned by the government and the neighbors have continued to farm it to this day.

One of our-separated brothers in Uganda found out that this property would possibly be for sale to an organization for a worthy project at low cost. On this basis, two Americans, Gary Cain and Jim Snipes, made a trip to Uganda from San Francisco to explore the possibilities. The meeting with the local sub county officials resulted in a use permit for the property as long as a school was in operation. There is no charge for this permit.

The property was investigated. The soil was found to be fairly level, rich, and productive. There is about a hundred acres of it. There is a building on the property (the opening page of this web site shows a picture of the building). A couple hundred feet from the building is a well (the locals call it a bore hole). This is the best well around. The neighbors come here to get their water. That is all there is. There are no other structures or fences.

The building is of concrete structure with a metal roof. The roof is rusted and has holes in it. The concrete is sound but there is no glass in the window sashes. The doors are french type doors with no glass in them either. The building is about 20 by 40 feet with one large room in the center and two small rooms, one at each end. There is no plumbing to it or wiring in it. At the time of the visit, electricity was being brought to the village. It will need to go that mile and a half to get to the property. With no glass in the doors or windows, the building cannot be locked. That makes it difficult to buy anything for it and store it there until it is used. We want to buy roofing but don’t dare do it until all the plans are in place to secure the purchase and install it. If we don’t do that, when we come back to use it, it will be gone.

For the Ugandans to use this facility we need to fix the roof, fix the windows, fix the doors, and construct outhouse, shower, and kitchen buildings. The outhouse can be a pit latrine. The shower can be an enclosure without plumbing (you bring the water in a basin to take your bath). The kitchen can be a hut where you can build a fire and put a pot on it. At that point we would be able to have someone stay there all the time. The next step would be to make places for students and staff to stay and attend classes.

We would like to teach English, Theology, Health and simple remedies, Agriculture, Practical skills such as carpentry, welding, auto repair. Each student would be required to work part of each day. We want to produce Christians that can earn a living, share the gospel, and help their fellow man. Some we hope will be called by the Lord to become full time evangelists and medical missionaries.

We envision charging the students for tuition, school supplies, room, and board. Provision would also be made for a good share of these costs to be worked off. The balance would be paid by the student. A worthy student fund would be set up so that a student may borrow from that fund. After he graduates (or leaves) he would be expected to pay back into that fund what he has borrowed without interest charges.

Like any project of this nature, funds are necessary. We would like you to prayerfully consider including the Butesa School in your offering budget. We don’t want to put any pressure on anyone to give. We want gifts to come only from those whom the Lord has directed. Until we have registration completed you may send your gifts to In Light of John 17 Ministry, P.O. Box 446, Ukiah, CA 95482. Please note that your gift is for the Butesa School. If you like you may designate your gift for an area that you have an interest in, for example renovation of the existing building, construction of additional buildings, worthy student fund, teachers salary, etc.