One of the pioneers of our missions in Africa, Rev. Robert T. Hesse, C.S.C., began serving in East Africa in 1958, shortly after his Ordination to the priesthood in Holy Cross. He ministered in Bunyoro, Fort Portal and Kitagwenda before returning to Notre Dame, Ind., to work in the Holy Cross Mission Center in 1989. Fr. Hesse returned to Uganda in 1990, where he became the founding pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Bugembe. He established Holy Cross Lake View Senior Secondary School in an abandoned grade school in 1993. The school is now recognized as one of the best in Uganda.
Fr. Bob embodied the great educational charism of Holy Cross, as expressed by our founder, Blessed Basil Moreau: “We shall always place education side by side with instruction; the mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart. While we prepare useful citizens for society, we shall likewise do our utmost to prepare citizens for Heaven.” (Circular Letter, 36)
The Need
To ensure the continuation of Holy Cross’ educational mission in the District of East Africa, the Father Robert T. Hesse, C.S.C., Memorial Scholarship endowment was created to support impoverished, academically gifted students in all of the Congregation’s schools in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Holy Cross educates more than 2,900 children in the faith each day in East Africa. The Father Robert T. Hesse, C.S.C., Memorial Scholarship Fund directly impacts families who cherish the value of a Holy Cross education, but struggle to afford the fees. Tuition varies for primary, secondary and vocational school education.
How you can help
Please prayerfully consider making a donation to the endowment today. A gift to the endowment will have a lasting impact:
- $5,000 will educate one student for one term per year
- $25,000 will educate five students for one term per year
- $50,000 will educate 10 students for one term per year
- $100,000 .will educate 25 students for one term per year
These numbers are based on a conservative earning rate of 5% and a single-term enrollment (the educational year is three terms) at Holy Cross Lake View Secondary School.
Twenty five students represents 3% of the student body at Lake View School — the poorest of the poor, many of whom are orphans. By giving to the scholarship fund, regardless of the amount, you not only align your values and commitment with Fr. Bob and Holy Cross, but you will also give students in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania the opportunity to develop their talents and share an education in the faith with others, giving them hope and a future.
