Yoga for a Cause - Uganda

Every Tuesday morning our teacher, Mary Pat Paul, offers yoga that benefits beyond those present for the physical asana. There is a cause beyond the classroom that is near and dear to her heart — Uganda. This donation based class

The class started when Fr. Michael Mukasa from Uganda spent his summers away from seminary in Omaha to work at Boystown. When it was time for him to return to Uganda, those near to him asked him how they might help further his mission. He said, ‘Educate our girls of Uganda’. In 2002 the Fr. Michael Mukasa Uganda Education Fund was started with 6 girls. There are now have 80 students in the program. There are 27 boys and 53 girls – of which we have 14 graduates, 9 in college/university, 5 in nursing/teaching schools, 5 in trade schools, 25 secondary, and 19 primary students. There are 5 new students that joined in January 2019.

The yoga class started in 2010 when Mary Pat was originally working to earn credits to further her yoga training. The class began in the basement of St. Margaret Mary Church and was moved to One Tree Yoga as a donation-based class to assist in fund raising for education.

The class is an all levels class and it varies between the Hatha & Vinyasa format with about 3 yin classes a year – 1 spring, 1 fall and 1 summer. The class is offered year ‘round and still tend to follow the school calendar which developed when we had to work around an available room at the school/church. In addition to Mary Pat’s instruction. One Tree’s Bernie B. and long-time One Tree student and certified teacher, Therese R. also assist in teaching.

Mary Pat and all of those who support the Education for Uganda Fund wish to extend their most sincere gratitude to One Tree’s owners, Alison and Gabe, for continuing to support these classes and our kids. By attending this yoga class and offering a free-will donation, you are making a significant and permanent impact on these young students’ lives forever! There is no doubt that by educating these youth, they have helped them reach their goals and dreams and in doing so, they have improved their communities and their country – they are making the world a better place one student at a time. Yoga is so much more than time on the mat; it’s about improving ourselves so we can improve the lives of others.