Money Driven Faith

Under our Dr. Paul Hargrave Memorial Centre Human Development Project jointly implemented with Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief, we are training and mentoring youth into Self-Reliant Participatory Development Change Agents. Consistent with our mission to ensure widespread application of technologies suitable and adaptable for Uganda, we use participatory development tools, such as role plays, to nature adoption and ownership of technologies by the intended beneficiaries. It is within this context that trainees on the Capital for Investment Course came up with and performed this role play which highlight two trends in many communities in Uganda: Unscrupulous pastors popping up everywhere taking advantage of the tendency of people to given in the name of God. That they are able to give indicates hidden sources of resources that could be deployed as capital for investment in income generation. And obviously 'pastors' have figured out that hidden source. Laxity in regulating activities of 'pastors'. How is it that these 'pastors' are allowed to freely and overtly fleece vulnerable people in the community with fake promises of miracles in exchange for money. Albeit dramatized herein, requests from 'pastors' from congregants to pay money so as to the unlock miracles is fact. It is the hope of CPAR Uganda that our trained change agents will do the very best in their communities to educate members of their households and other village mates to consciously awaken them on the duplicity of such 'men of God'. And to appreciate the power of the resources that they had over to 'pastors' if it were to be mobilized via group savings and investment clubs. Enjoy the role play and let us know what you think of this comedic presentation.