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Chinese Church Helps Ugandan SchoolIntro:When they met a decade ago, he was an AIDS orphan in Uganda and she was a visiting music teacher from California. Now the two – bound by their love of music – are on a mission to educate other orphans. Barry Simmons reports. SCRIPT:(Locator: Oakland, California) (Aeri plays piano) Aeri Lee always knew she’d been born with
an ear for music. But nine years ago, while teaching
piano at a college in Uganda, she discovered her
heart. Aeri Lee: “That first time was a
life-changing experience I think for me. I
think I found a calling to have to regularly put
myself out of my environment.” Silver Omakenyi, 26-years-old at the time,
was one of her students. Aeri Lee: “He didn’t come out and say ‘I
need help.’ That’s the first thing that drew
me – it’s something different, something special
about this young man.” But he did need help. In Silver’s village
of Kumi, he was caring for a house full of children
orphaned by AIDS and dreamed of providing them an
education. Aeri Lee: “I said, ‘I didn’t know you were
taking care of all these children!’ He was like
‘Well, they’re actually not my children, but they’re
folks who have no one else to care for them.’” Silver welcomed Aeri’s offer of assistance,
but his vision seemed out of reach. Aeri Lee: “I felt like who am I? I’m
just a musician. I don’t have the people skills to
go out and bring people and, you know, send the word
out.” So Aeri returned to her Oakland,
California, church –
Chinese Community United Methodist – and asked for ideas. Becky Wong: ”I think it’s just going to all
come together.” Members invited neighbors to a traditional
Chinese meal to tell them about Silver’s mission. Aeri from podium: “Hi everyone! Can
you hear me?” Becky Wong: “It’s big for us. This is
more people than we have on a Sunday morning in our
congregation!” The Rev. Peter Lau, Chinese Community
United Methodist Church: “I just can’t imagine
that! Just the sheer number of responses just kind
of excites us!” That evening, Aeri and her church raised
40,000 dollars – a gift that surprised even the
givers, like church member Becky Wong. Becky Wong: “You know, it’s in God’s
hands now and wow. He’s brought us this far. We know
he’s not going to let us down now.” TAG:Aeri says they still have another 40,000
dollars to raise before the school is completed.
Fundraising is slow, but organizers hopes to open
the school by 2013. Also, see: Chinese church building Ugandan school Posted: September 15, 2010
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