May 2011 our first class started, with 31 students.
Now, 13 years later, 13 of them are about to sit their O’Levels – Senior 4 external examinations. (Others are still with us in lower classes. Some have left to go to other districts and other schools. Some of our girls have dropped out of school altogether.)
I look at our property. We began in 2011 with a small guard’s hut,a shipping container, and the foundation of one classroom. Today we have primary and secondary classrooms, teacher’s and visitor’s accommodation, a school hall, and other structures. We are powered by solar, and can access water from our own boreholes.
And I marvel at the faithfulness of God over the last 14 years. The way He has preserved and enabled the development of our property. Kept us through the COVID years, protected us from floods and carried us through both the easy, and the tougher times.
But more than that, I look at those God has used to bring us to this point. I look at our staff and students (currently numbering 52 and 450 respectively). As well as our long-term students, some of our staff, like Teacher Joan, administrator Steven, cook Annet, head 
builder Denis, and groundsman Kiiza have been with us for over ten years. And Teacher Asaad in secondary, who has stuck with us despite secondary closing 6 weeks after it opened and remaining formally closed for two years (Covid), and despite every other secondary startup teacher leaving (or running off!) when the going got a bit tough or life moved them on.
I am so grateful for the faithfulness of our village community leaders, who took a leap of faith all those years ago, believed in our vision, and allocated us this land. I am thankful for our District leaders and our Australian and Ugandan boards, who help smooth the way administratively, and who keep the ball rolling in so many ways.
And last (but definitely not least), I am acutely aware that Amari exists because of the incredible generosity, faithfulness and support of so many individuals over so many years. Those who sponsor children, those who support our medical and capital works programs, those who have given during emergencies like the 2020-2021 floods, those who provide encouragement both from afar, and with visits, and those who pray and follow our progress.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians, talks about the body being made up of many parts, each part having its’ own purpose, and each part being needed for the body to function properly. I can do what I do, only because so many others are doing what God has called them to do, in their corner of the world. We are stronger together than w are as individuals, and through God’s goodness, we can positively sow into the lives of the children and community we are serving.
On a personal note, I know I would never have even set foot here in Uganda, nor could I continue to be this side, and raising Jaz and Fausta (my children) without the blessing and financial support of my immediate and extended family, and other individuals who have sown into me personally.
I am indeed blessed!