Dr. Carol Dean, one of our long-time faculty members, now retired from the Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education, sent this message to me a few days ago:

“I just returned from a wonderful 3 week visit to Terra Nova Academy in Kampala, Uganda.  As you know, Terra Nova is the school that was set up by Samford graduate, Alisha Damron Seruyange and her husband Abdul.  I am blown away by the extraordinary work they are doing with children in their neighborhood.  The dedication of Alisha, Abdul, and their staff is bringing quality education to those who need it most at a price the neighborhood families can afford.  I was there with three other teachers from Birmingham, one of which was Ann Elizabeth McInvale, a graduat eof the Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education.  We provided professional development to the Terra Nova teachers and held two full-day professional development workshops for teachers in the area.  During most of the time I was there Hannah Barnette, a current Samford education major, was there as well.  She is awesome--working in the classrooms with the children and teaching art--until the first of August.  Samford professors should be proud of their contribution to the education of Alisha, Ann Elizabeth, and Hannah who are using their skills to make a remarkable difference in our world.  And all who were a part of Step Sing 2013 can be assured that the money they contributed to this work is being used wisely and always with consideration of God's will and purpose.”

 (Terra Nova Academy was the adopted charity of the groups performing in Step Sing last February.)

 The world is better because Samford people are directly engaged in meeting needs nearby and around the world.