Pianos for Uganda
Missourians Unite to share the Gift of Music with students in Uganda
Father Thomas Sserwadda of St. Louis University has partnered with MAAE, Jackson Pianos, Creative City, KC, and UNESCO to bring the 20 donated and refurbished pianos to Bukalasa Seminary in Uganda. The $25,000 in shipping costs is the final barrier to helping to bring the joys and benefits of a music education to over 200 students. Please make a donation today!
Donate via Credit/Debit or Paypal® or send a check payable to MAAE by US Mail to:
Missouri Alliance for Arts Education - Attn: P. Pasley
2208 Clouds Peak Ct.
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education is a registered 501c3 non-profit corporation in the state of Missouri.
All donations are tax-deductible.
Make a Donation By Check
If you prefer to make your donation by check, please make it payable to MAAE and mail to:
MAAE - Phyllis Pasley, E.D.
2208 Clouds Peak Ct.
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
PROJECT UPDATE - February 8, 2025
On February 2, 2025 - Jackson Piano staff members and volunteers gathered to load the overseas cargo container sent by Nile Shipping, sending the refurbished pianos and collected musical instruments, medical equipment, sport equipment, clothing, books and more on their way to the Bukalasa Seminary in Uganda. We still need another $7,000 to bring this project to fulfillment. Please consider making a donation and/or sharing this opportunity with others.
click to view amessage of gratitude from Father Thomas
Dear Team,
Praise God! A Milestone Achieved – Thank You All!
With hearts full of gratitude and joy, I write to celebrate this incredible milestone with you—the successful loading of the shipping container! Praise God for His faithfulness and for each of you who have made this moment possible.
From the very beginning, this mission has been fueled by faith, love, and generosity. Fr. Thomas, Phyllis Pasley, Joe and Morgan Jackson with Jackson Pianos moving department headed by Kristine, Patsy Baldes with Sacred Heart Parish volunteers, and Wilson Kaddu from Nile Shipping—each of you has played a vital role in bringing this vision to life. Your dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in ensuring that these gifts of pianos, clothing, books, shoes, instruments, and sports equipment will soon bless so many in Uganda.
We give thanks for God’s divine providence, for the beautiful weather, and for the many hands that made the work light. This achievement is not just about sending items overseas—it is about Enhancing music education, artistic enrichment, and academic formation of children for generations to come and sharing God’s love in a tangible way.
As we now entrust this container to its journey across the seas, we continue to pray for God’s protection, smooth trade processes, and a successful arrival. May every step ahead be guided by His wisdom and grace.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are all a testament to what can be accomplished when faith and service come together. May God bless you abundantly for your kindness and generosity.
With gratitude and prayers,
Rev. Fr. Thomas
About the Project
On behalf of Bukalasa Seminary in Uganda, I am pleased to submit our proposal for the
"Melodies of Change" project. We are requesting $25,000 to support the transportation of 20
donated pianos from St. Louis to our seminary in Uganda. This transformative initiative aligns
seamlessly with the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education’s mission to unite with others in
promoting and supporting arts education, recognizing the profound impact of arts engagement.
Through this project, we aim to ensure that all our students have access to the benefits of a high-
quality arts education.
Bukalasa Seminary, founded in 1894, is Uganda's oldest indigenous seminary. We serve 450
underprivileged students aged 11-18, providing a comprehensive education that includes spiritual,
academic, and personal development. However, our music program has long lacked quality
instruments, limiting our students' ability to explore their artistic potential.
The "Melodies of Change" project, in partnership with Jackson Pianos of St. Louis, aims to address
this critical need. By bringing these pianos to our institution, we will:
1. Enhance music education for all 450 students
2. Foster creativity, personal growth, and cultural exchange
3. Provide opportunities for community engagement through performances
4. Empower our students with skills that can lead to future opportunities
This initiative resonates strongly with the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education mission. It
supports arts education, provides tools for underprivileged youth to forge their futures in arts
education, and celebrates students' success. Moreover, it embodies the MAAE’s commitment to
the professional teaching skills of arts educators and contributes to community development. We
are excited about this project's potential impact and believe it represents an excellent opportunity
for the MAAE to make a lasting difference in the lives of Ugandan youth. I appreciate your
consideration.
We look forward to partnering with you to bring the transformative power of music to our students.
Sincerely,
Rev. Thomas Sserwadda
Project Officer of Bukalasa Seminary
Jackson Piano Staff working to prepare the pianos for their journey to the students at Bukalasa Seminary in Uganda.
Acknowledging our Contributors
Jackson Pianos
Missouri Alliance for Arts Education
Creative Cities KC
Baraza Cultural Center - KC
Sacred Heart Parish - Florissant
Other contributors:
Alice Bloch, Roann Keven, Kelly Span, Stacy Linhares, Debbie Mhaffy, James Bray, John Caravelli, Rebecca Yarbrough, Courtney Quinn, Nancy McCafferty, Gregory P. Schweizer, Gregory Ryan, Larry and Shawn Webb, Sean Quinn, Nancy and Kenneth Kohnen, Steve Rupp, Laura Struyk, Dominique Seymoure, Rosanne Richter, William O'Neill, Joseph Stuckey, Tricia Lay, Mary Hastings, Natalie Kulla, Viola McGuire, Erica McCarthy, Kathleen Carey, Vanessa Drennan, Jack Goldcamp, Deborah Mahaffy, Douglas and Rayleen Norton, Leroy C and Kathryn L Baranowski, Goldkamp Heating and Cooling, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce L Talen, Jennifer Osborne-Fite, Stacie Rupp, Chad Keller, Pauline Schwartz, Heidi Radabaugh, Florissant Rotary Club Foundation, Kim Burns, Kevin Donohue
The Giving continues!
Sacred Heart Parish - in Florissant, MO has collected musical instruments, clothing, shoes, books, medical and sports equipment to join the shipment to Uganda, providing much needed resources. Father Thomas plans to lead a mission trip to Bukalasa Seminary in June of 2025.
Help us raise the $25,000 needed to help get these materials to the students in need at Bukalasa Seminary in Uganda.
Help us tell others!
Share the good news with others who may wish to give to bring this project to life.
