Our Initiatives

Discipleship Training

We believe biblical discipleship is a vital foundation for all SMI ministries. Because we know God’s Word transforms lives, we partner with local pastors to offer inductive Bible studies in their churches.

These studies focus on understanding Scripture deeply and applying its truths. They are intentionally placed in communities where we maintain well projects—reinforcing that just as clean water sustains physical health, God’s Word, the “living water,” sustains spiritual well-being.

A second layer of spiritual support comes through fellowship groups for men, women, and youth. These groups meet regularly to provide encouragement and a safe space to share life’s challenges and joys.

How can you get involved? Support these life-altering initiatives in two ways: 

  • By adding these village Bible studies and fellowship groups to your regular prayer times. 

  • Contributing financially to support our Bible purchasing fund by going to our donation page and including a short notation of Bibles, so your donation will be set apart for this need.

Sustainable Farming

The future of our organization depends on developing a sustainable, working farm capable of generating the ongoing funds SMI needs to continue its mission. In an aid-dependent region, this is a bold yet achievable goal.

To advance this vision, we are converting part of the 26-acre homestead into productive farmland to support our strategic initiatives. In September 2025, we cleared and planted 10 acres for coffee and cocoa production. We aim to use organic methods and plan to install an irrigation system in 2026.

A second component of the plan involves dedicating smaller sections of SMI’s land to two overlapping purposes. First, these areas will support the Farming Project described in our Community Empowerment Initiative. Second, we will develop a demonstration garden to train local villagers in farming methods such as F.A.I.T.H. gardens (Food Always In The Home) and introduce drought-tolerant, pest-resistant crops recommended by agricultural experts. This work is designed to strengthen food security, improve nutrition, create new income opportunities, and address chronic health issues such as malnutrition and diabetes.

How can you get involved? To help make SMI more self-sustaining and less aid-dependent, our greatest need initially is to build a good irrigation system. 

The costs for this are upwards of $23,000. We hope to gather a team of individuals who have a vision for our brothers to be equipped to serve their communities well into the future, using the platform of sustainable agriculture. You can designate contributions as SMI Sustainability.

Well Management

Access to clean water is limited in many remote areas, often forcing villagers to rely on unsafe local sources that expose them to a range of waterborne diseases. This challenge can be a matter of life and death, which is why our organization has prioritized the establishment and maintenance of life-saving wells from the very beginning.

Today, we support 15 villages by maintaining wells installed more than 17 years ago and by training community members in basic upkeep through local “Well Clubs.” These clubs coordinate maintenance activities and help communities pool resources for long-term sustainability. To encourage broader participation, committed members are eligible to receive a pregnant goat through our Goat Give-Away Program—a resource that can help families improve their livelihoods by growing a herd for nutrition and/or income.

How can you get involved? You can help us expand the circle of life-giving water to more villagers by direct contribution to our Well Clubs.

Funds designated for this initiative target the purchase of a female goat for our program ($120 buys one goat that we will raise, breed, and then incentivize them as a gift to Well Club members). One third of each donation helps fund well-drilling reserves for future village wells. You can even join forces with some friends to provide a small herd!

Community Empowerment

We believe God designed us for relationships—first with Him and then with one another. As our African brothers say, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This value of community shapes all of SMI’s work.

SMI provides skill training that supports financial improvement for our Ugandan friends while fostering genuine relationships. Every initiative takes a long-term approach rooted in friendship. Our current efforts focus on farming and baking.

The Farming Project supports vulnerable individuals by granting access to a portion of SMI land for three years. Participants receive agricultural training, improve food security, and save toward purchasing their own land—benefiting both during and after the program.

The Baking Program, launched in 2023 as the Kiburara Women’s Baking Club, equips participants with baking skills for employment and income. Community interest continues to grow, and we plan to expand into a larger training program, including a bakery staffed by trainees.

How can you get involved? These longer-term efforts can be achieved through donations specifically earmarked for either of these two financial goals: 

  • Farming Program: Donate toward the purchase of a small plot of land to gift graduates from the program, and include Farm Program as a notation when you contribute. 

  • Bakery Project: Donate toward the construction and outfitting of a small building on SMI property to be used as a training facility and a future retail outlet for our Baking Program. Include the notation Bakery Project when you send funds.