The people of Bolzano are among the most generous people on earth. This is a view strongly held by our Institutional Director, Dr. Martin Ogwang. “When I visited Bolzano years ago, I asked them why they are so committed to supporting the people they’ve never met and know nothing about. They told me that they find joy in sharing the little that they have with those in need,” he said while welcoming Rt. Rev. Bishop Ivo Muser of the Diocese of Bolzano -Brixen, Italy to Lacor Health Training Institute on Friday 7th July 2023.
Archbishop JB Odama with Rt. Rev. Bishop Ivo at Hospital Grotto area where Drs Corti, Lucille, Lukwiya and others were buried
Bishop Ivo, who paid a courtesy visit to the Institute, was received by His Grace John Baptist Odama, the Archbishop of Gulu. The two talked about the hospital and its role in fighting epidemics and keeping a healthy and vibrant populace in the country. The Archbishop thanked the Diocese of Bolzano for their continued support to Lacor over the years including solar systems, sponsoring key strategic staff for further studies, scholarship for some of the needy students at the nursing training school among others.
After decades of cooperation, the Bishop of Bolzano finally visited Gulu in person. “It’s for me a first time here in your country; it’s for me a very wonderful experience. Your country is young, full of hope and full of life,” he said. “I wish that you can make your contributions for your country. We want to continue our support also into the future.”
The Rt. Rev. Bishop Ivo Muser was accompanied by Irene Obexer, the Director of the Diocesan Mission Office who encouraged the students to not let their situation interfere with their dreams. “It is not to be ashamed if somebody cannot pay[tuition]. That’s quite normal. It was normal also in our time. My parents could not pay but I got a scholarship from the diocese,” she said.
Bishop Ivo speaking with the Institutional Director, Martin Ogwang as his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Ochola (R) pays attention
Through their Pencil for Education program, the diocese is sponsoring 8 nursing students who had difficulties paying tuition. The Principal Tutor of the Institute, Mr. Olal Marcelino Sabuni, thanked the diocese for their generosity and cooperation that has seen some students come down from Bolzano to study at the Institute.
After Lacor Hospital, the Bishop and his entourage visited Comboni Samaritan, St. Jude Children’s Home and St. Joseph’s Cathedral. He had the desire to travel to Poimal Shrine but his schedule couldn’t allow.
