Ron Hanson introduced Tim Krohn, Land Information Manager at FDL Reservation, who told us about the Pine Valley- Blue House Run on Labor Day. It supports the Blue House Orphanage in rural Uganda. 

 

Image

 

Image

Tim introduced our presenters, Karen Lilley from St. Paul and President of the Blue House board in the U.S. Karen showed slides showing the first Blue House Orphanage built in 2004 by Beatrice Garubanda, an Ugandan woman who wanted to provide a safe place for girls after the devastation of the Idi Amin government. Next, she introduced Aine Abel, the Blue House director, and Oscar Mugabi, member of the Ugandan board, who showed additional slides from Blue House of the girls doing chores and learning life skills. We saw the variety of food they eat from gardens they grow and livestock they have on their farm. They are trying to become self sufficient. They have 2 cows for milk and harvest peanuts, eggplant, papya, millet and cassava. The girls learn to weave baskets and mats from used food bags and use treadle sewing machines since they don't have electricity. The two house workers are good teachers and are now starting a poultry project. One of their star pupils is now enrolled in Makerere University in Kampala. They are seeking funds to support her education. One way to raise money is through the Pine Valley-Blue House race on Labor Day, which is being coordinated by Tim Krohn in Cloquet

Click here to register for the race! 

Image