Planting Pride

By Mike Warneke

What a joy, as always, to travel back to beautiful Uganda to serve on behalf of Fields of Dreams Uganda. We have only been in country for two days and yet already it is hard to look back and think through all that we have been blessed to be a part of on this journey. As the Executive Director for this organization, I am always encouraged and inspired when I am here on the ground amidst the people we are working beside. It is easy to lose focus and forget the good that we are a part of when you sit behind a desk some 14,000 miles from the Pearl of Africa.

Today was the perfect reminder of how much our programs are working and the hope, pride, and dreams that we continue to foster. I have had the joy and honor of knowing the staff and children at Wakiso Children’s School of Hope since the summer of 2009. They are in many ways what drew me to love this country so much and begin the journey in helping to establish Fields of Dreams Uganda. This campus is a special place that is filled with some pretty incredible people. The majesty of this campus continues to grow.

One year ago, I was behind the controls of a bulldozer for the first time as we broke ground for a new soccer field on this very campus. It was a joyous day and you could feel the excitement in the air. Today we are so very close to this field being used for the first time. I have had the joy of seeing this field progress over the past year at various stages and I have been so very impressed with the commitment and hard work of this campus as they assisted every step of the way.  The games master Hannington and the male and female U-18 and U-13 players have put their blood, sweat and tears into this pitch.  It is their field and it shall truly grow into the pride of the Wakiso District. There simply are very few fields to match in all of Kampala.

On my first trip to Uganda in 2009 I was moved to do something about the playing conditions for these incredible children. Through the help of so many friends and family, Fields of Dreams Uganda has grown in its mission to assist both through soccer and education.  However, the first inkling for this organization was born out of creating new fields. I could not be more happy for our partner school, as they have found so much pride in this field on their campus. It will be a great opportunity for them to grow in their student body and to earn some revenue through rentals and hosting matches and tournaments.

This field may not seem like much to so many of the world’s population that take playing fields and athletic compounds for granted; but to those in Wakiso tonight, it is a source of immense pride and a reason to keep dreaming for the future. Thank you to everyone that has given to our cause, your partnership is making a difference and awakening hope. A special thank you to the Stevenson Family and your belief in our mission. It will be a huge honor to dedicate this field to John G. Stevenson on July 5th as the first match of many is played on this field of dreams.