Forming Leaders in Integral Ecology for Rural Transformation in Uganda

Who Are We?

Bethany Land Institute provides Uganda's rural poor with a two-year, residential integrated education program in regenerative agriculture and economic entrepreneurship.

Inspired by Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical Laudato Si', BLI employs the notion and practice of Integral Ecology to empower local students and communities to combat three major challenges in Uganda: environmental degradation, food insecurity, and poverty.

BLI works within the Laudato Si' Action Platform, actively pursuing the seven Laudato Si' Goals. We recognize the inherent connection between the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor, and our program equally recognizes the importance of education, environmentalism, and sound economics.

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"Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature."

Laudato Si' 139

Our Three Pillars

“I want to be a part of the change I want to see, mainly the restoration of Mother Earth.”

 

- Paul Muzalugamba, BLI Commissioned Caretaker

BLI Staff
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BLI News and Information

Summer Recap

By Emma Ziegler | September 29, 2024

It was a busy and exciting summer at BLI. We hosted visitors from across the world to engage in our next five-year strategic plan; we commissioned our second cohort of Caretakers; we hosted students from Notre Dame for an immersive study abroad experience; and so much more. Click below to read the full recap.

BLI Hosts Seminarians from Across Uganda

By Emma Ziegler | September 1, 2024

This summer, 38 seminarians from across Uganda joined the current Caretaker trainees on BLI’s campus to learn about integral ecology and creation care. The seminarians lived alongside the trainees for the entire month of June, joining in the trainees’ work in Mary’s Farm, Martha’s Market, and Lazarus’ Forest. Their modules ranged from Pastoral Leadership and…

A Reflection from Mike, BLI Staff Member

By Emma Ziegler | June 30, 2024

On August 16th, 2017, Mike Ssegalunyo walked onto BLI’s Kiwumpa campus, changing his entire life’s trajectory. His uncle, the late Father Anthony Rweza (one of the three BLI founders) had invited him. Mike remembers Father Anthony telling him BLI was building a farm based on an entirely new model, using only organic principles. Mike said…

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