Bethany Land Institute

Read Our November Newsletter

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 13:23:57 GMT

The Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame recently released a story about BLI's origins, its current work, and its journey ahead. Some of the story is excerpted below alongside videos featuring our work.

When Emmanuel Katongole was growing up in rural Uganda, his family’s life centered on a three-acre plot of land where they grew coffee, beans, maize, bananas and other food crops. A nearby spring, accessible by a short trek down a forest path, provided ample water. Their parcel of land was small, but it produced enough to feed their family of nine and occasionally provide a surplus, which his parents would sell to earn money for school fees and other essentials.

“There was nothing romantic about this lifestyle,” said Katongole, now a professor of theology and peace studies at the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs and a priest of the Archdiocese of Kampala. “It was tough. But though it was simple, it was marked by a deep sense of belonging to family, community, the land and the nearby forest.”

Life in Katongole’s home village looks vastly different today.

Join us this summer!

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 23:25:37 GMT

A Momentous Summer at BLI

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 23:49:06 GMT

Dear BLI family and friends,

I hope you have had a good and restful summer. Mine was quite busy and productive, including a major international conference: The Laudato Si’ Africa Conference, held at BLI's campus in Uganda in July. This milestone event marked the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ and brought together over 140 participants from more than 20 countries across three continents to reflect on the reception, impact, and ongoing work of Laudato Si: On the Care of our Common Home in Africa and around the world. The delegates included religious leaders, scholars, practitioners, policy makers, practitioners, and activists. Our third cohort of Caretakers was also commissioned during the Conference (seen in the photo above). Among the highlights of the conference....

BLI Hosts Community Ambassador Training

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 18:04:32 GMT

"BLI Cannot Be Uprooted"

“Bethany Land Institute Came here to stay; you cannot uproot it.” These powerful words by Father Mathias set the tone for this summer's Community Ambassador Training hosted by Bethany Land Institute for members of Nandere Parish. The training was not just an event; it was a transformative experience rooted in faith and sustainability. This training echoed BLI’s deep commitment to the environment inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’ .

The training brought together diverse community members eager to learn and implement sustainable agriculture on their own land. The atmosphere was open and interactive, with many questions and rich discussions. Participants even created a song together, which you can listen to here:

The various participants expressed interest in multiple of BLI's current projects. One woman shared that after the first day’s session on soil and manure management, a light switch went off in her mind. She immediately went home after the session and began her very own natural fertilizer compost. Another participant, fascinated by pig farming, was amazed by BLI’s Fermented Bed Technology (FBT), which reduces labor by allowing pigs to self-manage their environment, resulting in a healthier and less time-consuming process. Another man was particularly impressed by the Black Soldier Fly project, recognizing it as an innovative and cost-effective way to provide protein and nutrients for chickens and offering a sustainable solution for feed.

These community ambassadors plan to take these lessons with them as they continue to spread integral ecology in their own villages.

Laudato Si' Week Continues: BLI's Community Engagement

Sat, 31 May 2025 13:37:55 GMT

In his 2015 encyclical letter, Laudato Si' , Pope Francis wrote that the world is "faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental." BLI recognizes this, its founders having seen both the social and environmental degradation that was taking place in the rural areas of Uganda. As the natural environment collapsed from war, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels so did the area's social fabric, as young people fled to the big city, often the Kampala slums, desperate to find work.

As BLI works to restore the ecosystem, therefore, BLI focuses on the whole ecosystem: the social and environmental fabrics alike. This means focusing not only on planting trees or restoring the soil but also on inviting the community to take part in all of BLI's activities, calling home individuals who have previously left, and ensuring rural people have access to the food and resources they need to live healthily in the villages.

Watch the video below to see some of our current efforts. And, read more here .

Laudato Si' Week Begins

Sat, 31 May 2025 13:33:47 GMT

Ten years ago, Pope Francis released Laudato Si' , an encyclical calling out to people everywhere to answer the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor. That encyclical motivated the creation of Bethany Land Institute, and today––exactly ten years later––BLI continues to answer Pope Francis's call. Join us to celebrate Laudato Si' Week 2025, which runs from May 24 to May 31.

December 2024 Newsletter

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 03:22:49 GMT

December 2024 Newsletter

As 2024 comes to a close, we wanted to update you on BLI's most recent activities. As always, we are thankful for your continued support as we journey together to care for our common home. Thank you and a blessed end of the year to you all.

Advent Letter

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 03:18:51 GMT

A Letter of Gratitude from BLI Founder and President Father Emmanuel Katongole

Dear friends and partners of BLI,

I have been thinking about you over the Thanksgiving weekend. As I reflect on where we are at BLI, my heart is filled with gratitude: gratitude for all that has been realized this year and for your prayers, friendship, and generous support that has made it possible. The highlights we celebrate for this year include:

Welcoming 20 trainees in our 4th cohort of the Caretaker formation program;
Commissioning our 2nd cohort of Caretakers;
Launching the pastoral formation program, rooted in Laudato Si', with 38 seminarians from two dioceses, who spent a month at BLI in June;
A series of events, workshops and other training opportunities;
New partnerships;
The development of a new five-year strategic plan (2025-2029); and
A successful “Indaba” gathering in Chicago last month and so much more...

As we look ahead to next year and the future, we realize there is still much more to do. But we move ahead with a sense of hope and of joy, knowing that God who has brought us this far will lead us into the future into which BLI is called. We are also encouraged by the knowledge that we are walking the journey together. We are thus grateful for your continued support, and we kindly ask that you consider an end-of-year gift to enable us to begin 2025 with good momentum.

With gratitude and continued prayers, and with wishes for a blessed Advent season.

Fr. Emmanuel Katongole

Summer Recap

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 14:39:00 GMT

It was a busy and exciting summer at BLI. We hosted visitors from across the world to engage in our next five-year strategic plan; we commissioned our second cohort of Caretakers; we hosted students from Notre Dame for an immersive study abroad experience; and so much more. Click below to read the full recap.

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BLI Hosts Seminarians from Across Uganda

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 14:33:00 GMT

This summer, 38 seminarians from across Uganda joined the current Caretaker trainees on BLI’s campus to learn about integral ecology and creation care. The seminarians lived alongside the trainees for the entire month of June, joining in the trainees’ work in Mary’s Farm, Martha’s Market, and Lazarus’ Forest. Their modules ranged from Pastoral Leadership and Creation Care to Introduction to Rural Sociology.

Seminarian leader Erick Bakatunga said the group found the experience at BLI extremely enriching, helping them really learn to understand Pope Francis’s call to care for the environment. “BLI has helped us advance our understanding of the Pope’s encyclical, Laudato Si’ ” he says. “Before coming here, many of us had never worked with the soil, with the ground. But now we’ve been able to see integral ecology in action and interact with those on the rural farms.”

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A Reflection from Mike, BLI Staff Member

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 20:32:00 GMT

On August 16th, 2017, Mike Ssegalunyo walked onto BLI’s Kiwumpa campus, changing his entire life’s trajectory. His uncle, the late Father Anthony Rweza (one of the three BLI founders) had invited him. Mike remembers Father Anthony telling him BLI was building a farm based on an entirely new model, using only organic principles. Mike said this sparked some curiosity inside of him: “I just had to go see how that could be possible.”

Continue reading this story here .

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A Growing Family: BLI Welcomes Fourth Cohort, New Visitors

Fri, 31 May 2024 20:27:00 GMT

BLI continues to forge new partnerships with local communities. Most recently, BLI hosted individuals from C-Care Uganda , a speciality hospital located in the country’s capital city, Kampala. The C-Care team was thrilled to travel out to BLI’s campus, many bringing their young children along, to see a campus that is increasingly becoming a regional hub for ecological tourism…

To continue reading this story, click here .

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BLI Caretaker Sees Progress in Local Community, Credits Perseverance and the Bees

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 15:57:00 GMT

“Always stand back up when you fall.” Paul Muzalugamba, a BLI Caretaker officially commissioned in July 2023, shares this lesson as he reflects back on his first year operating his own integral ecology farm. While this first year has included numerous difficulties–including unpredictable weather and original hesitancy from the surrounding community to embrace a new sustainable farming method—Paul has already started to see the fruits of his labor. To what does he attribute much of this success? Perseverance, he says, and of course, the bees.

As a part of his integral ecology project, Paul constructed and manages a number of bee hives. Such hives serve a dual purpose, leading to both the production of honey as well as the pollination of nearby crops. It is this increased pollination that has helped Paul win over his local community. “We have seen the environment transform due to the bees fertilizing the plants in the community,” he says. “This has already contributed to greater food security for the entire community.” It has also led to success with his own crops, which are bountiful, including cassava, tomatoes, bananas, sweet potatoes, spring onions, and strawberries, all grown completely organically.

The first year, however, has also included challenges. The Uganda weather has had an unpredictable year with rains and droughts coming at unexpected times. Additionally, when he was just beginning his project, Paul had his hens stolen by a passerby. While difficult, Paul was prepared for these ebbs and flows. “In agriculture,” he says, “You will face many challenges and progress may be slow, but be ready to learn from the community and move to the next harvest even if one does not work out.” Following his own advice, Paul kept his head high, and he, along with his community, is seeing the results.
Where will he go from here? Paul has big dreams for his farm. In the near future, he hopes that he can start to hire local community members to work alongside him, combatting the high unemployment in Uganda. And long term, he’s aiming even higher, as he plans for his farm to grow into a training institute itself, holding public seminars on integral ecology and regenerative agriculture. This ensures integral ecology does not stop with him but continues to proliferate across the whole of Uganda.
We look forward to continuing to follow Paul’s progress in the coming years.

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Meet Our Caretakers: Flavia Nabaggala

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 13:34:00 GMT

Flavia Nabaggala, a BLI Caretaker commissioned in July 2023, grew up as one of twenty-two children. After graduating from middle school—the first in her family to do so—Flavia had to drop out of school to help her mother manage the household. While she yearned to continue to go to school with her classmates—many of whom teased and mocked her for dropping out—her family did not have the funds for her to continue her studies.

While helping her mother in the home, Flavia met and fell in love with Simon Nyombi. Simon had just earned a spot at University and would eventually become the first in his family to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. The two married when Flavia was 19 and soon had their first child. A year after giving birth, Flavia finally obtained enough funds to return to school. She promptly enrolled in high school, and for the next two years, she walked 10 kilometers each day to attend and complete her classes. Despite having been away from the classroom for two years, Flavia felt right at home when she returned. Learning was her passion.

As Flavia was completing her high school studies, Simon was concluding his studies at University. Upon graduation, he obtained a job at BLI, the family’s first interaction with the institute. Flavia and Simon also bought a small plot of land on which they built a home to house their family. Their second child, was born shortly thereafter.

When BLI opened the Caretaker program in 2021, Flavia immediately applied. Through Simon, she knew of the institute’s work and mission, and as always, she was eager for an opportunity to continue learning and provide for her family. Thankfully, Flavia received sponsorship from BLI Scholarship Program for her tuition money and was able to enroll.

During her time at BLI, Flavia served as a motherly figure for many of her fellow cohort members. She also gave birth to her third child. Juggling duties as a mother and student did not, however, seem to phase Flavia. Upon graduation, BLI named her “Best Academic Achiever” in the cohort. Smiling in the crowd, Simon swelled with pride. “I am just so proud. To take care of the children, give birth, and still perform the best academically, is just amazing.”

Since her completion of the program, Flavia has started Bethel Integrated Organic (BIO) Family Farm on the family’s original plot of land. The farm provides healthy organic food both for the family and the local community. Many neighbors in the village, especially women, look up to Flavia as a successful female business owner. Flavia believes she can help these women find their own path toward further education and economic empowerment. As Flavia continues to care for her community, family, and the Earth, one thing is for certain: She will never stop learning and growing, for herself, and for her family.

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BLI Expands Presence

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:01:00 GMT

Read the official newsletter in its original formatting here .

Dear BLI Family,

We are excited to update you on the continued growth and activity happening at BLI. With Cohort I Caretakers having graduated and started their own integral ecology farms across Uganda, we are starting to see BLI’s mission embraced by communities across the country. Back in Nandere, the BLI campus has remained a vibrant and lively hub of activity, welcoming visitors from across the world and amping up its community outreach to nearby villages. Read more about what is happening at BLI below.

Cohort I Officially Commissioned

This summer, BLI officially commissioned its Cohort I Caretakers. This cohort, made up of four men and four women, was the first group to fully complete the two-year residential program at BLI. Co-Founder and President Father Emmanuel Katongole named them “BLI’s pioneers” at the Commissioning and lauded their understanding and dedication to integral ecology.

BLI remains in close contact with these Caretakers, as all eight have now started their own integral ecology projects in their respective villages. While each project is fundamentally based in integral ecology, there is great diversity in the nature of each project: Jonas is raising birds, Alice has an array of different crops, and Yunus has started a tree nursery, just to name a few. Many of the Caretakers even have regular customers already, who come specifically to them to buy organic, sustainably-grown products. You can even find some of their farms on Google (see here )! We are excited to continue following these incredible projects and their impact in villages across Uganda.

Growing International Presence

BLI continues to grow its presence across the world. Recently, the University of Oxford’s Laudato Si’ Institute (United Kingdom) promoted BLI on its website, calling for interns who will conduct research on BLI’s campus in Nandere in early 2024. Notre Dame (USA) sent a group of students to visit the campus this past summer, an experience during which they learned about integral ecology from Father Emmanuel and other BLI staff. BLI was even featured in a recent Kellogg blog post on collaboration between Notre Dame and institutions in Africa. Interns from Duke School of Divinity and Wheaton College also spent multiple weeks on campus, engaging with the BLI curriculum and mission.

Community Outreach Abounds

BLI continues to increase its outreach to nearby communities. Typical events include campus tours, tree planting, soil experiments, and mini lessons in integral ecology and regenerative agriculture. As its presence in Uganda is growing, BLI was even featured in a recent article in the Ugandan Monitor outlining our strategy to conserve the only natural forest left in the Luwero District.

Current Visitors and Site Mapping

This October, renowned soil expert Ray Archuleta is returning to BLI along with a group of engineers from Engineering Ministries International to engage in robust site mapping of the BLI campus. Father Emmanuel will be joining the crew on the ground along with BLI USA Board Chair Andrea Cate Crary. This site mapping is especially important as BLI continues to develop its campus to accommodate more students in Nandere. Currently, construction is underway for a new dormitory that will help meet the increased demand from Ugandan students wanting to join BLI’s program. We wish safe and smooth travels to all those involved.

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New Caretaker Farms

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 19:29:00 GMT

Cohort I has officially graduated from BLI. They were commissioned on July 29, 2023. All 8 Caretakers have started their own farms in various villages across Uganda. Each Caretaker is a member of the SACCO (Savings and Credit Co-Op) and received a small loan to begin their project. Check out Caretaker Alice Nanfuka’s project here (logo shown above). It already is listed on Google as an organic farm! We are excited to continue to journey with these Caretakers as they grow their farms.

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Just Released!!!

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 15:51:00 GMT

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NEWSLETTER: 2022 President’s Letter

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 01:27:00 GMT

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NEWSLETTER: Public Launch Update

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 21:26:00 GMT

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Notre Dame News

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 23:56:00 GMT

Recently, our friends at the University of Notre Dame have shared a few stories about Bethany Land Institute.

The most recent story was released by ND Stories. It follows BLI’s journey from its inception with the founders to its recent official launch. It also includes the following beautiful video showcasing BLI’s work.

READ HERE.

The second article was written by Aníbal Pérez-Liñan, the director of the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. He shares his experience of visiting BLI during the official launch. He also highlights the various ways in which Notre Dame students have connected with BLI over the past few years.

READ HERE.

We hope you will give them a read. We are thankful for all who worked on getting these stories published!

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Virtual Discussion

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 16:45:00 GMT

Watch the July 22nd Virtual discussion on the successes of our Integral Ecology programs and the Public Launch in July of BLI Uganda.

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You’re Invited!

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 00:16:00 GMT

On September 22nd, BLI will be hosting webinar to update friends and supporters on the official launch held in Nandere at the end of July. International travelers will share their experiences and insights, and there will be time to ask questions about all things BLI and the newly commissioned Caretakers!

The webinar will be from 7 PM – 8:30 PM ET via Zoom. Register here if you are interested in attending. We welcome all to join, even if you can just jump on for a few minutes!

If you are unable to attend the webinar, we encourage you to read this short article from Anibal Perez-Linan, the Director of the Kellogg Institute of International Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Director Perez-Linan attended the launch in Nandere and writes about his experience as well as the growing connection between BLI and Notre Dame.

It is exciting times at BLI, and we are excited to share this with you. If you have any questions at all, please contact Theresa Murray at tmurray@bethanylandinstitute.org.

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Follow the July 29 Festivities!

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 01:43:00 GMT

It is a big week at BLI! We are hosting our official public launch in Nandere, Uganda. We are expecting thousands of visitors to our campus and have various activities and ceremonies planned. People are traveling to BLI from all over Uganda, and the world, to celebrate BLI’s mission and work.

However, even if you could not travel to BLI for this event, we wanted to make sure you could be a part of it. Therefore, we will be livestreaming the event on YouTube! We will also be posting stories on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

To follow along via YouTube, click here: https://youtu.be/wfV-yF6jS0Q

To follow us on Instagram, click here: https://www.instagram.com/bliuganda/?hl=en

To follow us on Facebook, click here: https://www.facebook.com/BethanyLandInstitute/

While there are festivities happening all week, the official launch will begin at 3 AM ET on Friday July 29. Feel free to join at any time throughout the day to see what is happening on the ground in Uganda. We are excited to share this event with you!!!

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NEWSLETTER: Summer Greetings

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 21:35:00 GMT

From all of us here at BLI, we wish you a happy summer! May you enjoy God’s beautiful creation with peace and joy.

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BLI Celebrates World Environment Day

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 01:54:00 GMT

On June 5, BLI joined the surrounding community in celebrating International World Environment Day, as declared by the United Nations. This year’s theme was “Only One Earth” and aimed to promote individual country changes to support cleaner, sustainable living. While Sweden hosted the official international festivities, Uganda also participated in the action with its own festivities.

A rally took place in Luwero District, the district BLI calls home. There was a marching band and various special guests, including government ministers, religious leaders, and development partners. Right alongside these guests were the BLI Caretakers and staff leaders! Together, everyone planted trees, discussed how to best raise awareness about ecological degradation, and celebrated our common home. See the attached photos of BLI Caretaker Leader Mike leading the charge and planting trees during the celebration!!

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Happy Earth Day!

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 01:40:00 GMT

April 22nd was a special day at Bethany Land Institute. To celebrate Earth Day, we welcomed groups of visitors to BLI, including local primary school children, to spread the joy of Integral Ecology and share the importance of care for creation. Together, we used recycled plastics (collected from the local area) to make hanging plants. In rural Uganda, there are very few opportunities for traditional recycling. Therefore, at BLI, we have started to be innovative, collecting plastics from the surrounding communities and finding new ways to reuse them.

We also played games together, enjoyed a beautifully prepared meal, and of course, PLANTED TREES. What an incredible day spent celebrating this beautiful Earth with our neighbors, young and old. BLI will continue to be a leading institute in the community, engaging with local peoples in order to transform rural Uganda into the flourishing natural, social, and economic environment it can be!

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Gaining Global Recognition

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 13:02:00 GMT

BLI is now also featured on the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology’s Laudato Si’ webpage. Later this year, it will be featured in the Forum’s newsletter. These features are a testament to BLI’s success as an institution that lives out integral ecology. Everyday, we continue to answer to the cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth. Thank you to all those at Yale who made this possible. We look forward to continuing to march forward together toward peace and justice!

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BLI Visitors: Sanyu Maria’s Reflection

Sat, 11 Sep 2021 15:34:00 GMT

The following is a reclection written by recent Notre Dame graduate Maria Orjalies Riberas. She traveled to BLI in July 2021 and will be returning in October:

“As when adjusting to life in any new country, it’s fairly common for one to find themselves in constant cultural shock, lost in translation, and dependent on those with whom one can communicate. However, despite all of the experiences that one can expect as a newcomer, the Bethany Land Institute became a home and a family during the short period of time that I spent there this past July.

BLI calls for and works toward a rural transformation in Uganda in the shape of innovative ideas based on integral ecology and its desire to respect all living things on earth, starting by respecting people like you and I and working to dignify poverty, caring for animals, those seemingly useful to human life but also those that might be wrongly perceived as dangerous or harmful because there are also part of the creation to which BLI is so dedicated to safeguarding in the form of the wilderness of a forest and the planting of trees.

During my time at BLI, I came to start to understand a new way of creating transformational leadership and why it’s necessary to change Africa at a grassroot level. Change happens in the details and through the passionate exchange of ideas that can be understood within the context of our lives but also applied to the greater society. BLI is doing it by training caretakers in integral ecology by teaching all those willing to listen about the health benefits that eating organics has and about how we can take care of creation in our everyday lives. However, BLI is also reaching toward changing its community by highlighting this idea of taking care of creation while dignifying the poor and attempting to bring the community into the transformational change that they hope one day will reach the whole of rural Uganda.

BLI is born in the intersection of the desire to care for the environment, a strong conviction that education is what lifts people out of poverty and gives families the hope of a better future, and the belief that economic sustainability is necessary to creating lasting change. Therefore, the importance of one does not shadow the others, but any decision must take them into account to better flourish together.

To teach caretakers, BLI has a team of servant leaders, dedicated to a common passion which they have successfully ingrained into the caretakers. All caretakers speak about integral ecology from the bottom of their hearts and with full grasp of the concept. This concept now informs their decision and has made an impact in their hopes and dreams as they graduate from the program as many of them shared with me their plan to one day set their own farms based on BLI’s model.

Innovation, then, is based on how we might make useful the wasteful outputs that we ourselves produce, or how we might make profit out of our own needs, for example, by mix-cropping value pests repellents with crops in which pests are common. Everything in nature

is connected and integral ecology makes us see that the further away we move from that connection, the more harm we bring unto ourselves and our communities.

BLI’s believe that nurturing that connection and interdependence, as preached on the encyclical Laudato Si by Pope Francis, is a mindset that will bring about change to rural Uganda. Change that has the potential to revolutionize the life and future of many as the country continues to develop and face the challenges of culture, ways of doing, and ways of understanding. This potential, then, is what I witnessed during my time on campus, as this mindset was widespread and nurtured within everyone there. No one left unchanged because the truth is that it matters how we take care of mother earth, it matters the quality of the food that we give ourselves and the future generations of any country, and it matters that change brings about an equal ground so that people who have been overlooked and misrepresented through time can become agents of transformational change in the form of leadership at a local level, that then, changes the overall leadership structures.”

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BLI Visitors: Kirabo Emma’s Reflection

Sat, 11 Sep 2021 15:29:00 GMT

The following is a reflection written by Emma Ziegler, a recent Notre Dame graduate. Emma traveled to BLI in July 2021 with Father Emmanuel and wrote this reflection on the experience:

“Traveling to Bethany Land Institute in Nandere, Uganda, I expected to find a dulled version of the institute I had seen in photos and heard about through stories. The whole country of Uganda was currently under a strict lockdown due to a surge in COVID-19 cases, and all schools had been forced to close. Thus, the classroom component of BLI’s training had been temporary halted, a number of learners had returned to their homes, and even some staff were unable to be on campus. Therefore, although I was so excited to see BLI in person, I had prepared myself for a quieter trip, understanding that the conditions may not allow me to see all BLI had to offer.

What an incredible surprise it was, then, when I arrived in Nandere to a campus more vibrant and full of passionate work than I had ever imagined! While the caretakers and staff were fully adhering to the COVID-19 restrictions, they were not allowing these restrictions to lower their morale or curtail BLI’s progress. On my very first day, I was introduced to nearly 15 caretakers who had remained on campus throughout the lockdown in order to tend to the animals and fields. Despite not being able to train in the classroom, it was clear these caretakers were bound to continue learning during this time. Throughout my three weeks on campus, I witnessed the older caretakers giving lessons to younger caretakers in the fields daily, with the younger caretakers scribbling down important notes in their books. I witnessed group meetings and discussions where staff and caretakers together discussed integral ecology and shared ideas for BLI to better fulfill its mission going forward. And I witnessed the caretakers’ daily passion and drive to continue caring for the land around them in a completely sustainable and organic way. In the way the caretakers both spoke and acted, it was clear they had internalized the mission of BLI and were dedicated to the concept of integral ecology. Not only was this displayed in the fields and meetings but in the informal conversations I had every day with caretakers at lunch, dinner, or during downtime. I remain amazed! If these caretakers have become so passionate and knowledgeable in just the first three months of the program, I can only imagine how prepared and dedicated they will be after two full years.

My interactions with the caretakers were not the only highlight of my trip. Many other aspects of BLI also amazed me and were far more developed than I had expected. BLI has already planted over 30,000 trees in order to reforest encroached areas. Some of these trees are already taller than me and the efforts are re-attracting wildlife to the forest. I was able to see multiple bird species, a few monkeys, and even a black mamba snake while I toured! A savings and credit cooperative has been established, and the vast majority of caretakers have already invested money in it. I even witnessed some caretakers taking their produce to the market in order to make money that they could invest. There is also an array of farm animals present: chickens, guinea fowl, turkeys, goats, and cattle. The caretakers not only care for these animals daily but have created systems to ensure there is zero waste. For example, the manure of the cows and goats is collected and composted to create fertilizer. The animals’ urine is also collected and mixed with other ingredients to create a natural pesticide to use for crops. This innovative system has created a self-sustaining cycle in which the animal sections provide the crop sections with fertilizers and pesticides, and in return, the crop sections provide the animal sections with feeds. (As a non-farmer, I found this creative system absolutely fascinating!) There are also full plantations of bananas, cocoa, cassava, beans, and more. At the Kiwumpa site, over 400 kg of beans have been harvested from this year’s crop and are ready to be sold to the market. There are also well-established social activities on campus, as the caretakers daily play volleyball or soccer together and weekly get together to sing choir hymnals. This list goes on and on… Honestly, every day I was at BLI, I was introduced to new, innovative activities happening on campus that awed me, especially considering the unfortunate COVID-19 situation. I cannot describe them all here, but I hope the aforementioned list serves as a sneak peek into current operations at BLI.

Now, reflecting back on my experience, I realize that I really shouldn’t be all that shocked about the incredible things happening at BLI. This is what the institute is all about: the creation of a new vision, a new community, more vibrant and special than our imaginations can make up! One that is full of passionate young farmers dedicated to transforming rural Uganda through sustainable, organic agriculture and forestry. This is exactly what BLI stands for, and even despite its young age and the difficult circumstances it is facing, that is exactly what I found on campus.

What a joy and honor it was to visit BLI’s campus this past month. I am returning to the states with new joy, much inspiration, and a whole lot of new friends. I am so thankful for the staff and caretakers for so warmly welcoming me and making my stay so great. I look forward to staying involved from afar and patiently await the next time I get to visit in person.

Webale nyo. Jebale ko mukwano.

Kirabo Emma”

Thanks everyone for reading. Below are a few photos Emma took during her trip.

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Celebrating Laudato Sí Week 2021

Mon, 24 May 2021 21:23:00 GMT

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The Institute is Open!

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 21:53:00 GMT

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Reflections from BLI volunteers – 3/14/21

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:29:00 GMT

We first were introduced to Fr. Emmanuel by our daughter Sara in April of 2016. Fr. Emmanuel was looking for someone to volunteer to coordinate the building of a dream; a campus for Bethany Land Institute. By time we met him a White Paper had been written that outlined the vision for BLI. Land had been purchased at Kiwumpa, and early fund raising had started. Fr. Emmanuel had contacted Engineering Missions International to evaluate the land at Kiwumpa and to lay out a campus there. Bob would act as the Owners Representative for the project.

The work that EMI and Bob did for Kiwumpa has become the foundation of the campus at Nandere. The mission laid out in the White Paper are the core values of BLI today. Finding board members in the US and Uganda, finding staff, funding, and new land when the Kiwumpa land ownership was challenged, are miracles that are all part of the story of BLI.

Today Fr. Emmanuel is sharing with you pictures of the campus that is now open at Nandere. Classes begin on Monday March 15. It is almost 5 years to the day since we first met him. We are in awe of what God has done through Fr. Emmanuel and through every person who owns part of this story.

This is a time of Joy and Thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness to his promises to Fr. Emmanuel and BLI.

Journeying with you – Bob and Macky Johnson

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A Kairos moment

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 19:27:00 GMT

Read Fr. Emmanuel Katongole’s article on Covid-19 as a ‘Kairos’ moment in the Notre Dame Keough School of Global Affairs newsletter. https://keough.nd.edu/a-kairos-moment-prophecy-and-hope-in-the-time-of-covid-19/

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Listen to Fr. Emmanuel on Near and Far podcast “Putting Laudato Si into Action in Uganda.”

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 16:21:00 GMT

https://soundcloud.com/search?q=near%20and%20far%20catholic%20putting%20laudato%20si%20into%20action%20in%20uganda

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In Memory of John Ssembatya, BLI Farm Manager 1974-2019

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 03:37:00 GMT

With deep sorrow we share the loss of our Farm Manger, John Ssembatya, on 5/10/2019. John was taking milk to his customers on his bicycle and had an accident en route. John was the first, and until now, the longest serving BLI staff member, having joined BLI in 2014, and we will greatly miss him.

John was born in 1974, born of Busense Masaka. He was an animal specialist, and trained in many skills including tropical agriculture, construction and electrical work. He served as Farm Manager at St. Jude Family Project Masaka for 5 years before joining BLI. The staff and Caretakers remember John as an exemplary leader, a mentor to others, with youthful energy. He was a soft-spoken, hard working man who loved the animals and was excited to be a part of the BLI project.

John is survived by his wife and two daughters. He was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Masaka. Fathers Cornelius, Tony and Cosmas celebrated the mass at his funeral, with all BLI staff in attendance. The staff house has been named “The Ssembatya House” in his memory.

May John rest in eternal peace.

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BLI Summer 2019 Update

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 03:34:00 GMT

Dear Friends,

I have just returned from Uganda, and thought that you would enjoy an update on the happenings at BLI.

This was my first trip to the Bethany Land Institute, and although I am updated every month, seeing it in person left me even further impressed by the progress that our staff has made. The demonstration farms are beautiful, the animals are healthy, and the reforestation plan is taking hold. The farm produces enough extra to sell to local restaurants and markets, and I had the pleasure of meeting neighboring residents who stop by to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables – they are given tree saplings as well to plant at their own homes! The proceeds from the sales go into the SACCO (Savings & Credit Co-op), insuring a future for our Caretakers.

Our staff and Caretakers respect and treat one another with the spirit and dignity that is the heart of BLI . Each one has a specialized area of expertise, which they share and learn together, resulting not only in cross training, but innovation as well. Note some of their ingenious ideas on the photos here and on the BLI home page. The rule at BLI is Zero Waste – literally everything is reused or repurposed to accomplish that goal.

Nandere Campus

While there we celebrated the signing of the 99-year lease with the Kasana Luweero Diocese, thus tripling the size of our Institute! This also insures that our mission will long outlive the founders. Our campus will be built on the new land in Nandere, with ground breaking scheduled for the Fall. In addition to the larger size, which will accommodate the campus, demonstration farms, and production fields, the gift includes 60 acres of natural forest , in which we will have an ecological center and a place for visitors and staff to simply retreat and enjoy the serene and bountiful surroundings. The original campus will remain in operation, thus giving us a presence in two locations to further our mission of Integral Ecology and spreading the Spirit of Bethany.

Strategic Planning Meeting

Fr. Emmanuel brought together representatives of both the Ugandan and US Boards, staff, thought leaders and experts in Ugandan agriculture and forestry, all led by a team of professional strategists. The team has their plan in place and is ready to forge ahead! Be sure to periodically check our website for more updates.

With your support we are turning the dream into reality!

We are reminded of the blessings brought to us in so many ways – from this gift of more land, to our supporters both in Uganda and in the US that make the dream possible.
As we prepare to break ground, please consider making a gift to keep the project moving ahead. Visit the website or send a check to the address below.
If you have any questions or would simply like to chat about the project, feel free to reach out to me. My contact information is below. I would love to hear from you!

Thank you for your continuing support of BLI, as we look forward to a strong future for our friends in Uganda.
With Gratitude,

Theresa Murray
Development Coordinator

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Fr. Emmanuel participates in Vatican “Path of Nonviolence” Conference in Rome

Mon, 06 May 2019 19:12:00 GMT

Early this month, I had the honor of participating in a conference in Rome on “ Path of Nonviolence: Towards a Culture of Peace . Organized by Pax Christi International and the Vatican Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, the two day conference reflected on the Christian call to nonviolence in the midst of various forms of violence, including violence against creation. See full story here. At the conference, I was once again reminded of the significance of various efforts, including BLI, that seek to respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. As pope Francis reminds us: “We need to be artisans of peace, for building peace that is a craft that demands serenity, creativity, sensitivity and skills.” (Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Gaudate et Exultate, 19 March 2018).

Fr. Emmanuel Katongole

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New Land for BLI!

Mon, 06 May 2019 18:57:00 GMT

We are excited to share and celebrate some wonderful news with you. In addition to the land that we own and have been cultivating for the pase four years, through the generosity of the Kasana Luweero Diocese (KLD) we have been offered an additional 160 acres on which to build our campus! We have entered into a 99-year lease with KLD for the new acreage, and plans are underway to break ground in early June. The campus will consist of the same dormitories, common spaces, and student farms as our original plans. We see many mutual benefits to this additional location and partnership, among them:

BLI’S campus will be situated geographically within KLD, 2 miles from the diocesan headquarters. The land includes 20 acres for campus development, 80 for agricultural purposes and 60 acres of forestry.

Our current land will continue to be cultivated for the future needs of BLI and the BLI Caretakers.

Please join us in celebration and thankful prayer for this wonderful gift!

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Notre Dame University CGI Students Visit BLI

Mon, 06 May 2019 18:45:00 GMT

BLI hosted its second group of Notre Dame students during their March 2019 immersion in Uganda. The students visited both campuses as part of their course called New Norms of Development and the Ecology of the Common Good in Uganda . The course is part of the Common Good Initiative at the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns. It led the 8 graduate students, who represented five different academic disciplines, to explore the ways in which concern for the earth can foster a “common good” among peoples and across cultures. Fr. Emmanuel has described the idea of the common good as simply people coming together who used to be far apart.

Upon their return to Notre Dame, the students unpacked their experience before an audience of 35. They reflected on what it meant for them, their studies, and their future careers to participate in Notre Dame’s second step in what is shaping up to be a long-term friendship with BLI (the first group of students visited BLI in 2017). They seemed to take to heart the charism of Mary (though not to the neglect of Martha and Lazarus!) in particular because she represented for them the need to slow down, the ability to get by with fewer possessions, and the desire to listen. They came prepared with a sensitivity toward learning the history of Uganda and its ecology, and so found their BLI hosts–founders and staff alike–to be models of what it means to listen to the cry of the earth as well as to the cry of the poor.

One story they shared has remained with me. Among the Ugandans they met who lived on only $1.50 a day was a young woman who was finally able to purchase her own bed. How did she earn the money? She made paper bags to sell at the market. And the bed was something than she could purchase, for it symbolized the security of home for her. She would be safe tonight, and had a future tomorrow.

Visiting BLI, the Notre Dame students witnessed a community attempting to live out what Pope Francis calls “an ecological conversion.” They saw their hosts pursuing the common good in and for Uganda, so they have returned to the United States challenged to live out this call in their own communities, recognizing that local choices have global implications.

Fr. Kevin Sandberg, C.S.C.

Leo and Arlene Hawk Executive Director

Center for Social Concerns at the University of Notre Dame

BLI USA Board Member

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