But whoever has worldly goods and sees his brother or sister in need, and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God remain in him? — 1 John 3:17
When Church of the Nazarene Pastor Kelly Klubek and wife Natalie returned from a trip to Uganda in May, they realized just how much “stuff” they have.
Natalie thought about the single mothers in Uganda she had gotten to know over three weeks. Their lives were very different. They had so little.
“I have too much,” Natalie thought. “Maybe my excess can help them. That was in my heart the whole time.”
That nugget of an idea grew into plans for a fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Church of the Nazarene. The church will offer a rummage and bake sale starting at 7 a.m., with craft items, clothes, household items and baked goods available for purchase.
All proceeds will go to a project in Kabale, Uganda that provides housing, food and job training for single mothers and their children.
THE KLUBEKS met Victor Kukakira of Kabale through a member of their congregation. Kukakira visited Iola for a weeklong revival in 2022 and invited the Klubeks to visit his home in Uganda.
Kukakira taught the Klubeks and others in Iola about some of the projects in his hometown, including the House of Grace and the plight of single mothers.
Unwed mothers are shunned by Ugandan society, the Klubeks learned. Until just a few years ago, families could legally kill a woman who became pregnant outside of wedlock. Though that law has been rescinded, the women are still considered outcasts, and as such punished. They — and their children — cannot attend school and have limited career options.
The situation became even more dire after the COVID-19 pandemic, as more women found themselves pregnant and alone.
The House of Grace is a compound built to house up to 40 women and their children. They can get an education, learn a trade and find “a place to be safe,” Kelly explained.
The women learn skills for one of three careers: sewing, cutting hair and basket weaving. They make money from selling their products, and some will go on to start their own business.
Iola’s churches worked together last year to raise $50,000 to buy land and building materials to help the facility expand to house 100 women. Kelly Klubek hopes they can continue to support the project and eventually expand to house 500 and offer daycare services.
But for now, the Iola Church of the Nazarene has a more immediate goal: raise $6,850 to buy new sewing machines.
The new machines, which will include two specialty machines that can be used to make sweaters, will help the women learn and practice their sewing skills. The women make school uniforms, bags, backpacks and other items.
