Auction to benefit Ugandan village

By: Preston Rudie

Tampa, Florida – Sunday night, photographer Ryan Joseph of Tampa will auction off 20 pictures he took while in Uganda last year. The money will benefit the people of Papoli, Uganda. Joseph went to Papoli last May to document the Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church’s efforts to help the people living in the tiny Ugandan village.

“The people are so caring and so loving and they have again what we consider to be not much to be thankful for.”

Over the past few years, Palma Ceia Presbyterian has raised and then donated a quarter of a million dollars for the people of the small Ugandan village. The money has been used to drill 8 wells, build a preschool, bathrooms and homes for widows and orphans.

“These people are dragging a heavy log and we have a choice, we can either pick up the other end or just let them drag it, but they are going to get it where they are going” says Palma Ceia Presbyterian associate pastor Geoff Kohler.

Joseph notes he hopes his work also inspires others to help those less fortunate.

“I would just love for a big turn-out. I really want to raise a lot of money for these people, they’re the most gracious, beautiful people I’ve ever met in my life and they deserve better.”

Sunday’s live auction is open to the public and will be held from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at the Hoffman Porges Gallery located at 1907 East 7^th Avenue in Tampa.