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Katonah woman has library built in her name in Africa

Danielle De Souza
The Journal News

KATONAH - After visiting Africa last year, Vicky Tuccillo had no idea that it would change her life. In July, the Vicky Tuccillo Mbiriizi Library was built and named in her honor in Uganda.

"It is just amazing," said the 43-year-old Katonah resident.

She said that she first visited the country in June 2007.

"I was always interested in going to Africa, but I was very skeptical because I have two children and I did not know how safe it was," said the stay-at-home mother. "But then I met Sylvia Allen at a travel expo in 2006."

Sylvia Allen, 71, is the founder of Sylvia's Children, a nonprofit organization established in 2003. The organization supports the Mbiriizi Primary School in Masaka, Uganda.

"I decided to start the organization after I was adopted by the kids from the school as their grandmother," said the Holmdel, N.J., resident.

There are 907 children in the school from ages 4 to 14, of which 267 are orphans.

After realizing that it would be a great opportunity, Tuccillo traveled to Uganda for 12 days with a group of 12 and worked at the school taking inventory and getting sponsorship and funding.

"It was just great. I cried every day when I left because I missed them," she said. "Some of the kids are orphans and some have AIDS, but as poor as they are, they would only ask you for the basic necessities such as backpacks or paper. They never asked for iPods or Xboxes."

After realizing just how dedicated she was to helping children in Africa, her husband, Jeff Tuccillo, 45, donated $10,000 in her name to have a library built in Uganda as a Christmas gift last year.

"She was very much into helping children in Africa, and it was her passion," said the businessman. "I did it because I knew that it is something that she would love and it would mean something to her."

"It was a nice surprise. He has never been there with me, but he knew how passionate I was about this," she said.

On her second trip this past July, she saw the 2,500-square-foot library.

"It is a beautiful library," she beamed. "But there are no books, and we need money for books."

Tuccillo plans to go back to Uganda next June and hopes to do more for the school.

"People like Vicky and her husband are rare treasures," said Allen. "Their kind and generous hearts are greatly appreciated by the organization and the children at the school. They are making a difference."

Tuccillo said she is also looking forward to seeing the library filled with books one day.

"It is so amazing how we take these things for granted," she said. "Our children have libraries and we think nothing about it. These kids have no books, no library and sometimes no paper."

Here's the good news:

·        The Vicky Tuccillo Mbiriizi Library was dedicated;

·        The new well was dedicated with the children singing the words  of Rudyard Kipling's poem IF;

·        We measured the feet of all 907 children and staff so Samaritan Shoes can fit them with new shoes the first week in November (does anybody want to donate 2,000 pairs of socks to go with the shoes?);

·        We inventoried all 267 orphans which meant taking an up-to-date picture, getting their accurate age and determining if there were any health issues (only 100 are sponsored so we still need sponsors for 167);

·        Thanks to Joe Corpina, who came with us, we had soccer balls and basketballs for the kids to play with;

·        Plus, we had large vinyl "bouncy" balls and a couple dozen kites thanks to the Kitegang (sorry but the thorn bushes got the balls);

·        Vicky Tuccillo had even brought hula hoops (some of us remember them) and you should see how fast the children caught on to the way to do it;

·        We did a complete inventory of books needed by the children and teachers (currently the children learn by rote and have no books) and found out that $20,000 would supply books (on a two children per book basis) for a full year;

·        Thanks to Michele Costa (who will be going with me in December for the Christmas party – does anyone else want to go?) all the teachers got aprons so their clothes are not filled with chalk by the end of the day;

Here's the not so good news and where we need help.  In Kampala, approximately 100 miles NE of our school, there has been a rash of school fires (35 in the last 40 days), all in private schools.  Some have been arson, some accidental (a candle or small stove), some have been the result of school rivalries and some have been vindicate.  Whatever the reason it is cause for concern with the Mbiriizi Primary School.  

We need to build a six unit building to house six teachers who would live at the school.  The estimated price for that is $18,000.  Tony Costa, my son, had a great idea which was to house the teachers, temporarily, in the library (which has two bathrooms and a shower) until we have completed the fundraising for the books.  However, that is temporary.  Tony, Michele and I would be devastated to see our hard work and love go up in flames.  Any help you can give us would be greatly appreciated.

 Lastly, Tony and I stayed two extra days to explore a coffee plantation and the feasibility of exporting Ugandan Arabica coffee to the U.S.  Currently Uganda sells their coffee beans to Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia but do not have a U.S. distribution.  We want to change that and have the profits go to the school.  Anybody have any coffee contacts?  Any and all suggestions gratefully accepted!

 Finally, just a note on upcoming trips: ..

·        November 27-December 4, 2008
Christmas party and gift giving at the school                                     

·        June 26-July 6/7, 2009
Annual work trip to the  school and safari to Murchisson Falls (to see  Giraffes and other wonderful wildlife!)                                          

Thanks for your interest in Sylvia's Children.  
Sylvia Allen (founder) 
www.sylviaschildren.org

FLASH!  If you have wanted to join us in Africa this summer and thought the opportunity had slipped away ... you now have the chance! One of our members has cancelled because of health issues and will not be able to go so we have one space available.  Will it be you?

 

July 4-16 we will be going to Uganda, Africa to visit the Mbiriizi Advanced Primary School as well as having a short safari at the end of the trip.  The fee is only $3,500 ALL INCLUSIVE and I promise you that you will be loved to death by 905 beautiful children!  Plus, it will change your life.  Visit www.sylviaschildren.org then give me a call (732-946-2711 or cell 732-241-1144).   Would love to have you join us for the experience of a lifetime. 

Sylvia

Sylvia

Holmdel,NJ…MetLife Foundation recently awarded a Volunteer Ventures grant of $500 to Sylvia's Children, a 501(c)3 organization that financially supports children at the Mbiriizi Primary School, Uganda 25% of whom have been orphaned by AIDS.   The grant was awarded in support of a project proposed by Antony Costa, a MetLife employee who volunteers with the organization.  The funds will be used to purchase books for a school library at the Mbiriizi Primary School that is being built with funds donated by Sylvia's Children

The Volunteer Ventures program encourages and supports employee involvement at the local level in nonprofit organizations that work to improve the quality of life for all.  Grants are made for specific projects in which MetLife employees have continuing involvement as volunteers