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The Vision for
Tree of Life Ministries
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Together
with our partners at Tree of Life Ministries, the Board of Directors of
RPU has developed a comprehensive vision for developing the 10-acre
campus that reflects Scriptural values including good stewardship of
God’s creation, and empowering the poor. The overarching goal at Tree
of Life is to establish a self-sustained learning community centered
around a pre-school and primary school, but that includes a variety of
opportunities for adult education. Through these activities we strive
to reflect God’s love for all His children. The picture of Peter to the left was taken in early 2006. Take a look at him now in a February 2009 photo by clicking here....
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| Peter (lf) and
William (rt) sit next to their father who was a single parent and ill
with a heart condition. The father died in 2007 and the children who live
with an older sister, are still part of the TOLM Program thanks to US
sponsors. |
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We
strive to develop each project on the campus so that it not only
functions to achieve the specific short term goals, but also can be
used to model sound practices for adult learning. Our classrooms are
being constructed to enable modern, effective educational practices
such as small group collaborative learning with an emphasis on problem
solving. And we limit class size to allow individual attention for each
student.
Intercropping and contour farming are part of the organic farming methods that are practiced on the Tree of Life Farm.
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We
are committed to sustainable agricultural practices using integrated
methods that eliminate waste, produce organic products without harmful
chemicals, and provide a balance of cash crops for income with food
crops for the children and staff. Intercropping, drip irrigation, and
composting with manure are among the techniques we employ. |
| Home made beehives keep pollinators busy in the fields and orchards and producing honey. |
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| Primary school children sponsored at Tree of Life demonstrate traditional dances with grass skirts at a local celebration |
| Our
cultural theatre will engage visitors directly with the friendly and
hospitable Ugandan people, and help tourists learn about the richness
of their culture and life practices. The performing arts, food,
clothing, herbal medicine and crafts of the Bugunda people will be
presented in an engaging way. |
Earth-Friendly Energy & Water
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We
are developing our entire campus to be powered using renewable energy
sources such as solar energy and biogas. Water collection and
management is an important focus so that we have a consistent supply of
water during both the wet and dry seasons.
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The new Tree of Life campus will be powered by renewable energy.
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| Moving
about the campus will be an esthetically pleasing experience for the
students, staff and visitors. We are conserving useful native species
that attract wildlife, and using the current land forms so that not
much earth moving will be required. Traffic patterns around the campus
emphasize walking paths and de-emphasize roads for autos and trucks.
Housing for staff and visitors will be placed to provide the correct
balance of community and privacy. |
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We
are landscaping the campus with native vegetation that attracts birds
and other wildlife as well as providing useful products. |
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reflect God's love in the world, we work in partnership with community
leaders in Uganda to support education, conservation, and community
health, as well as economic projects that benefit the community in a
sustainable way. We are directed by Christ’s commission in Mark 16:15:
"Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole
creation." |
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