Strategic Planning, Cohort II Commissioning, Study Abroad Students: A Busy Summer at BLI

As September is now upon us, we wanted to share some highlights from the lively summer at BLI's campus in Nandere.

Strategic Planning Underway

In mid-July, BLI hosted a three-day, intensive workshop to continue to develop its next five-year strategic plan, set to run from 2025 through 2029. Delegates came from across Uganda–indeed from across the world–to partake in the process. This included board members, staff members, commissioned Caretakers, current trainees, community members, Church leaders, and BLI USA board and staff members. The strategic plan, which aims to build on BLI's work to date and continue to grow BLI's position as a worldwide leader in integral ecology, will be shared in the coming months.

As a part of the strategic planning process, delegates first reflected on BLI's progress over the past five years, looking to see how BLI performed in executing its 2019–2024 strategic plan. Seeing the results, BLI plans to dream even bigger in the next five years. For nearly all targets, BLI surpassed its plans. Some highlights:

• BLI aimed to commission its first cohort of Caretakers by the end of 2024. BLI has already commissioned two cohorts of Caretakers and two others have started their programs.

• BLI planned to plant 30,000 trees per year. In 2022, BLI planted 51,020 trees. In 2023, it planted 46,300.

• BLI planned to complete its first phase of campus development by the end of 2024. BLI has already begun Phase II of this process, with an operating guest house and extended dormitories on campus.

BLI looks forward to building on this success in the next five years and thanks everyone who has helped the institution reach its goals to date.

Second Cohort Commissioned

BLI also commissioned its second cohort of Caretakers in July, along with the thirty seminarians who spent the summer at BLI. Cohort II consisted of six young women and four young men who are now headed out to their home villages to start their own integral ecology farms. The day was very joyous as everyone came together to celebrate these young individuals' success and wish them well on their journey forward. BLI looks forward to following these Caretakers as they bring the practice of integral ecology with them to their home villages.

Notre Dame Students Visit

For the second year in a row, BLI hosted Notre Dame study abroad students on its campus. Co-founder and President Father Emmanuel Katongole led the group as they learned about integral ecology, rural development, and Ugandan culture. The students spent much of their time alongside the Caretaker trainees at the Nandere campus, working together in the fields, sharing meals, and playing sports and games. They were also able to visit national landmarks and see the beauty across Uganda. BLI continues to be a catalyst for cross-culture community building and friendship formation. Knowing the importance of caring for our common home, BLI is always ready to welcome visitors from across the world who are willing and ready to join this mission.

Lazarus' Forest Continues to Expand

BLI's Lazarus' Forest continues to expand as reforestation efforts forge forward. This is starting to bring significant press coverage in Uganda, given this effort's ability to bring home local animal and plant species. Visit our page below to view the recent news coverage.