Uncovering the Impact: Board Members' Reflections on the GuluHelp Experience

A letter from Debbie Jarosz

Dear supporters of GuluHelp Foundation,

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my involvement with GuluHelp and share with you three key ideas that have shaped my journey: Calling, Connection, and Collaboration.

In my experience, qualifications alone do not determine one's suitability for a calling. There is a quote that resonates with me: "God does not call those who are qualified. He qualifies those who are called." While I'm uncertain of its origin, I believe it holds some truth. When our foundation was established in 2008, I felt drawn to contribute. Then, in 2012, I assumed the role of President after our founding President stepped down. While my primary availability due to retirement from teaching was a contributing factor, it was ultimately my deepening connection to the people of Uganda and my heartfelt commitment that led me to embrace this role.

Speaking of connection, my visits to Uganda have profoundly enriched my life. Over the course of twelve visits, I've had the privilege of engaging with people whose lives are vastly different from my own, yet we share a common humanity. Each journey has offered me invaluable insights into their history, culture, and the indomitable spirit that pervades their communities. The people I've met in Uganda have taught me invaluable lessons in resilience, hospitality, celebration, love, and friendship. Witnessing their ability to find joy despite facing tremendous challenges has been humbling. It has inspired me to simplify my own life and extend compassion in whatever modest ways I can. Mother Teresa of Calcutta's words have become my mantra: "We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love." GuluHelp's impact in Uganda may not be widely recognized as monumental, but the love and dedication we infuse into our modest contributions make a genuine and lasting difference.

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Empowerment through Collaboration is the motto of GuluHelp Foundation and the way that our organization lives that motto is ever so important to me. I have learned that, while charitable giving is good, collaborative assistance is far better. Our goal for the health centers, University of the Sacred Heart and others we help, is to increase THEIR capacity to care for the people in their communities. We are not saviors or heroes. We are collaborators. I am personally sustained in my commitment through collaboration with an amazing board of directors. Each of these outstanding and generous people contributes in a unique and important way with no compensation whatsoever. In the coming weeks, you’ll be hearing from them. I know you’ll agree that they are the best.

It is with deep appreciation that I acknowledge your steadfast support and belief in the mission of GuluHelp. Together, we are transforming lives and nurturing sustainable change. Your contributions, regardless of their size, play a vital role in our collective journey.

Thank you for standing with us in this meaningful endeavor.

Debbie Jarosz

Bernie Kelly reflects on a "life changing experience"

I became a Gulu Help Board member in 2014. I first learned of the GuluHelp Foundation through our family friend, Debbie Jarosz, President of GuluHelp. At that time, I was a department administrator at the Cleveland Clinic with a focus on information systems and training, retiring in 1/2022. Debbie introduced me to the mission of GuluHelp – working to identify and address the challenges of communities in the region.

Gulu is in northern Uganda, which had been in the throes of a two-decade civil war led by the Lord’s Revolutionary Army (LRA) beginning in the late 1980s. In 2008, the war spread to the Congo, leaving mass devastation in Uganda. Families were decimated and the average age of the Ugandan was 14 with a life expectancy of 54 years.

Debbie introduced us to Father Jino Mwaka, who survived the terrors of civil war, dedicating himself to do God’s work and making a difference in the lives of Ugandans. In 2010, Debbie invited me to join her on a visit to Uganda where I witnessed the impact of the GuluHelp Foundation. We visited Health Centers, two hospitals and met the Archbishop at the Diocesan Center. My trip to Uganda was life changing. The people of Uganda have the same aspirations as humanity worldwide – peace, prosperity and a better life for their children. When I asked Father Jino why Ugandans are so welcoming and happy after surviving a horrible war, he said “We know what life was like during the war and so we choose to celebrate life whenever we can.”

The following year, in 2011, my son Sean, then a resident physician at Ohio State University, volunteered for one month at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu, Uganda and worked in the medical and pediatric wards. He was impressed by the high quality of care the hospital provided despite minimal resources. Sean also went to the Health Center in Minakulu where he saw 100 patients in 9 hours and had to turn away 150 patients. The Health Center was staffed by a nurses and there hadn’t been a doctor on-site in several months. Patients walked miles to see him.

Besides supporting Health Centers, GuluHelp also supports the University of the Sacred Heart Gulu, with the following mission: to contribute to personal and social healing, growth and holistic development of Uganda and the world community through provision of quality education, training, research and community outreach.

I am proud to continue being a board member supporting the GuluHelp Foundation and hope to inspire others to do so as well. We strive to provide the Ugandan community we serve with the tools they need to be self-sustaining, through monetary support, while promoting fiscal responsibility and education. Philanthropy is the heart and soul of our organization. We rely heavily on the generosity of our donors who faithfully support our mission and provide feedback on how we can grow outreach and continue to be successful in our efforts.

“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands.” Nelson Mandela

An Interview with Mike Bernot

GuluHelp is so fortunate to have Mike as a board member. He was recently promoted to Executive Director of the West Side Catholic Center in Cleveland. He is one of the busiest people I know, yet he still finds time to contribute his expertise in the field of non-profit to GuluHelp. Below are his answers to some questions about being a GuluHelp board member.

1.How long have you been a board member?

Since 2011

2. Why did you become involved as a board member?

Quite honestly, I joined the board because I was asked by Debbie. I was early in my nonprofit career, had a personal connection to Debbie, and eager to serve on a board and this opportunity was presented. I had always had ambitions of helping others, and though this isn't local I like the challenge and growth it offered to think in terms of helping others who I'd likely never have the opportunity to meet, understand issues and problems that aren't necessarily present locally, and develop a more global mindset as it relates to inequality.

3. Why do you remain a board member?

Because disparity and problems continue to exist in the Gulu region and I believe I still have more to give in helping this cause as a board member. I also learn more about the region, people, history, and challenges than I likely ever would otherwise. It also gives me the opportunity to form a holistic view of equity from a global perspective and broaden my own personal understanding of the interconnectedness of the world.

4. What is the most surprising fact/information you've learned about the Gulu region, or work of the foundation since becoming a board member?

The MOST surprising information I've learned is the cost of salaries at the health centers we support, and how that income disparity. A nurse, for example, makes roughly $150/month ($1,800/year). Our dollars go a long way in providing assistance over there.

5. Why do you believe the work of GuluHelp is important?

The world's problems have a way of echoing across the globe. The relationships formed by GuluHelp with the Gulu region have helped me to gain valuable perspective of the greater world and realize that though we may seem so different, our needs are similar - just at different degrees

Meet Jacqui Wukich, founding member

I am a founding board member. GuluHelp Foundation was founded in 2008 by Fr. Jino Mwaka, Peter Davet, and myself.

After a couple of trips to a different region of Uganda with my mother (Debbie Jarosz) and sharing videos with family, my sister Mandy recognized a familiar accent in a visiting priest at her parish Our Lady of Perpetual Help. That visiting priest was Fr. Jino Mwaka from the Archdiocese of Gulu who was pursuing his doctorate in management while in Ohio. We invited Fr. Jino for a meal at which I attempted but failed miserably at recreating an East African flatbread called “chapati”. Fr. Jino introduced me to Peter Davet and we began brainstorming and planning trips to the region.

As a board member of the GuluHelp Foundation, I remain committed to the organization's mission of supporting communities in need in Gulu and beyond. What keeps me passionate about this work is the deep connection I feel with the people we serve.

Through my experiences working with GuluHelp, I have gained a profound respect for the local culture and the resilience of the people who call it home. Despite facing significant challenges, including poverty, conflict, and disease, the people of Gulu continue to work tirelessly to improve their lives and those of their families. At the same time, I am acutely aware of the lack of resources available to these communities, particularly at the small scale. While there are larger aid organizations present in the region, they tend to have very specific missions and ways of helping. GuluHelp while a small organization is agile and can better meet the needs of smaller groups like the rural health clinics that don’t have access to funding from larger aid organizations, but are vital to the health of their communities.

By providing resources and support to local communities, we can help to build a better future for all those who call Gulu home. And in doing so, we can make a real difference in the lives of people who face significant challenges every day.

As a board member, I am honored to be part of an organization that is making a real difference in the world. And I look forward to continuing to support GuluHelp's vital work in the years to come.

I have learned a great deal about the Gulu region during my time as a board member. I have discovered that some of the best and most reliably run health facilities are run by the Archdiocese of Gulu.

Gulu is a town in northern Uganda that was heavily impacted by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, which lasted from the late 1980s until the mid-2000s. During this time, the LRA committed numerous atrocities, including abduction, rape, and murder, which led to the displacement of over 1.8 million people in northern Uganda.

Despite these challenges, the people of Gulu have shown remarkable resilience and resourcefulness in rebuilding their lives and communities. They have a strong sense of community and a deep respect for their cultural traditions, which have helped them to overcome the trauma of the past and work towards a brighter future.

The work of GuluHelp is important for several reasons. Firstly, GuluHelp is focused on serving some of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities in Gulu and the surrounding areas. These communities have faced significant challenges, including poverty, disease, and the aftermath of the LRA insurgency, and they often lack access to basic resources and services.

By providing support and resources to these communities, GuluHelp helps to improve the lives and wellbeing of individuals and families who might otherwise be left behind. This work is crucial in terms of promoting social justice, equity, and human rights, and it can have a significant impact on the long-term development and stability of the region.

Secondly, GuluHelp's approach is based on partnership and collaboration with local communities. Rather than imposing solutions from outside, GuluHelp works closely with community members to identify their needs and priorities, and to develop solutions that are tailored to their unique circumstances.

This approach is important because it helps to build trust, foster ownership and empowerment, and ensure that solutions are sustainable and effective in the long run. It also helps to respect and honor the local culture and traditions, which are crucial for maintaining a sense of identity and dignity in the face of significant challenges.

Finally, GuluHelp's work is important because it demonstrates the power of grassroots action and community-led development. By supporting local initiatives and empowering community members to take charge of their own futures, GuluHelp helps to create a culture of self-reliance and agency that can be a catalyst for broader social change. In this way, GuluHelp is not just providing immediate relief and support, but also building the foundation for a more just and equitable society in the future..