Father Antonios grew up in a small village in Uganda, studied in Greece and became a Greek citizen, but chose to return to Africa to offer others the help he once received. About 1,700 children now attend the schools his Orthodox mission has built.
In Cyprus, the organisation ‘Agapis Cheria’ supports his work with scholarships, including for some children to study at TEPAK.
Speaking to Phileleftheros during a visit to Cyprus, he said some children arrive hungry, and what hits him hardest is when he can’t keep a child in their care. His goal, he said, is to build more schools, a coffee plantation and a health centre.
From Uganda to Greece
“I was born in Uganda and grew up in a small village, Monde, about 160 kilometres from the capital, Kampala,” he said. “Our parish was St Anthony, after whom I was named. My uncle was a priest there. My grandmother was also one of the first Orthodox Christians.”
After finishing secondary school, he had the chance to go to Crete. “I went to Kastelli in Chania, where Bishop Irinaios Galanakis gave scholarships to children from Uganda and elsewhere. We lived in boarding schools and were given the chance to get an education. Some of the children became bishops, priests and useful members of society.”
He stayed on in Greece. “I was there for 18 years. I spent a year learning Greek, then went to upper secondary school and, in 1986, to the Agricultural University of Athens.”
He later decided to attend a seminary, was ordained in 2003 and returned to Uganda. “I live there with my family. I have five children, Irinaios, Aspasia, Iakovos, Paraskevi and Myrofora.”
He said he had been determined to go home once he finished his studies, to help his people and strengthen the Church. “I took my example from what I’d seen living close to His Eminence Irinaios, who helped a great many people.”
Going back was not easy, he said. “You know, living in Europe and then going back to Africa to struggle every day isn’t easy. I’d also acquired Greek citizenship. But I always thought that if it weren’t for the Church, I’d never have had the chance to study. My family didn’t have the money. That’s why I went back, and I’m happy with what I do.”
Uganda’s problems
Uganda’s problems start with its system of government, he said. “For 50 years it’s been the same political regime, in reality a junta.”
The state doesn’t do enough for education, he said. “Many children drop out of school, as public education accounts for just 10 per cent. Of course, they can’t afford to pay. So they end up in classes of up to 200 pupils.”
That is why many churches, including the Orthodox Church, try to set up schools. “People need to be educated. Without education, it’s very difficult for anyone to get on. People must be able to solve their own problems and those of their country.”
High prices are another serious problem, he said. “Goods cost a lot, and few people are able to set up their own businesses.”
Uganda does, however, offer opportunities in agriculture, he said, such as coffee growing, which is in high demand in Europe. “One of the programmes I want to set up is growing coffee, so that we have an income to support the children. To achieve a kind of self-sufficiency. For the same purpose, we also want to set up a large poultry farm.”
Health care is another concern. “From time to time, doctors come from abroad to help. But I also want us to set up a nursing school. Perhaps some children could even become doctors. We also want to build a health centre.”
1,700 pupils, 670 boarders
After years of work, “and with the blessing of God, the Church and ordinary people, we managed to build four primary schools and one secondary school, and we’re now trying to build a second upper secondary school,” he said.
About 1,700 children attend the schools today. “Of these, 670 live in our boarding house, because their homes are very far away, or they’re extremely poor, or they face serious problems.”
The mission is also trying to promote sponsorship, so that poor children can get what they need, including an education. “The amount for each child is 200 euros a year. It doesn’t cover everything they need, but it’s a ray of hope.” About 120 children currently have sponsors. “That’s very few, because the programme isn’t widely known yet.”
The children’s food, the teachers and all other costs are covered by Father Antonios and the work of volunteers. “Some children come to us hungry. When we see that a child keeps coming hungry, we look into their situation. The parents may be ill and unable to look after the child. They may have lost their jobs.”
A chance meeting
“My relationship with Cyprus came about by chance. Of course, Cyprus has been helping the mission in Africa for many years, since the time of Archbishop Makarios. It all began 16 years ago, when I was in Athens. I met a lady from Cyprus in Omonia. She came up to me and asked, ‘Father Antonios, do you have any time?’ and suggested I come to the island, which I did. In Cyprus, there’s cooperation with ‘Agapis Cheria’, which supports their work in Uganda. Ordinary people also give support, as does the company XM.”
“In Cyprus, we were blessed to create the organisation ‘Agapis Cheria’, which helps a great deal,” he added. “They give scholarships so that the children can study in Uganda, go into medicine or become teachers, while others have come to TEPAK on scholarships.”
“When I can’t help a child, I think about what will become of them”
“Every day writes its own story. Sometimes with joy, and sometimes with sadness. What hits me hardest is when a child comes to us and I can’t keep them with us. Everything depends on our finances, on whether we can house them or not. That hurts me very much and I can’t get over it. When I can’t help a child, I think about what will become of them, what they’ll do with their life. I know I can’t help the whole world, but it still saddens me. On the other hand, what gives me joy is when someone asks me: ‘How are you, Father Antonios? How are things going? What can we do to help?’ Those words are like a warm embrace for me. I feel I’m not alone.
