The first recipient of the International Deaf Education and Advancement Fund scholarship was Maurice Ssenyonga in 1994. Ssenyonga, an undergraduate social work major from Uganda, graduated from Gallaudet that Decembe
Ssenyonga's accomplishments have been achieved on a salary of $120 a month which does not cover his own family's living expenses much less the many projects he would like to maintain or initiate for the deaf community of Uganda in the future. Ssenyonga
This is the first letter Ssenyonga has written to the I-DEAF founder, Andrea Shettle.
You might have been wondering what has happened to me. Since I left Gallaudet University last year I never have been able to write you. I arrived in Uganda pennyless last year in January. It was very difficult to afford postage stamps when I have to lo
I want to use this rare opportunity to thank you very much for the assistance I received while I was pursuing my studies at Gallaudet. I have been proud of the I-DEAF award. Through that award, I came to be known all over campus and back home in Uganda
The day I arrived at the international airport, I met more than 50 adult deaf women and men including my family and a representative from the Uganda Society for the Deaf. He told me at the airport that I was required to continue writing about Uganda Si
Now, besides Uganda National Association of the Deaf which receives assistance and volunteers from Denmark, I with a few deaf adults have founded the Kampala Welfare Association of the Deaf. Our objectives are to put up projects, such as farms, worksho
You may wonder how much I have been paid. I worked six months without salary. At pay, I have been paid only $120 a month! Rent is $40 a month, feeding above $700 a month, five of my children at boarding secondary schools at $800 a term (there are three
On March 4, 1996, I founded a school for deaf children in my home town 90 miles from Kampala. The school started with 25 kids. I first brought teachers here to learn Uganda Sign Langauge last year. I hope to train more teachers.
My biggest problem is transportation between where the school is in Masaka and Kampala where I am working. One journey costs me $40. Uganda has no public transportation. We use taxis and spend a lot of money. What I am telling you is the true story of
Please don't send cash--money will not arrive. The safe way is Peter Lule. His home number is (301) 794-9595 (TTY), his office number is (202) 622-0771 (TTY).
Sincerely yours,Contact Peter Lule at plule@aol.com for more information on how you can help Maurice Ssenyonga with his various projects in Uganda
You can also call Peter Lule at work at (202) 622-0771 (TTY) or at home at (301) 794-9593 (TTY). If you do not have a TTY (teletext phone), you can use the TTY relay if one is available in your area. Relay servic
Checks (cheques) or International Coupon Orders intended for Maurice Ssenyonga and his various projects in Uganda may be mailed to:
Peter Lule
10009 Maryland Street
Landham MD 20706-4729
United States of America
Checks or International Coupon Orders should be made out to Peter Lule. Lule has established a local bank account for Ssenyonga and will wire contributions to him in Uganda on a regular basis. Internal communications in Uganda is poor--checks and other ma
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Return to Andrea Shettle's homepage.
This page was last updated on 28 May 2002 by Andrea Shettle.