
Just as Mr. Pat Butler, key founder of Hazelden foundation, and Dr. Dan Anderson, key founder of the Minnesota Model (now Hazelden Model of Care) set a vision based on mission and values in the 1950's, Fr. Samuel Okidi Mwaka, Executive Director PACTA Uganda, and Fr. Bill Whittier, Ordained Priest 1961 St. Paul Minnesota, set in motion their vision for care for Uganda and beyond. It is no conincidence that God brought these respective leaders together to provide care and services to individuals, families, and communities. Honoring the dignity and respect of individuals and families and their capacity for change are cornerstones of each organisation.
They recognised that stigma and denial complicate the recognition that alcoholics and other addictions are a primary, chronic, progressive, and fatal disease, but importantly, a treatable disease. Like Hazelden, PACTA Uganda recognises that to improve the quality of life for individuals and families and communities requires an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the transformational wisdom of the 12 steps, and partnering with community organisations to promote programming, prevention, awareness, counseling, and treatment of alcoholism and other addictions: PACTA Uganda. God also blessed these organisations with passionate and professional staff who are dedicated and committed to purpose, worthwhile work, and making a difference in the lives of others, striving for quality of services and for strengthening their competencies to better serve.
I met Fr. Bill as he served as a priest for St. Bridget's in Linstrom Minnesota. I was part of the educational and clinical leadership at Hazelden Foundation in Center City, Minnesota. Fr. Sam was introduced to Fr. Bill in 2007 by Mr. PeteTraux, knowing that Fr. Bill was an advocate for recovery and a friend of Hazelden. When Fr. Bill heard of Fr. Sam's vision for a recovery center in Uganda, Fr. Bill introduced Fr. Sam and me to each other. I remember well, walking the Hazelden grounds together and discussing Hazelden's history, mission, values, and services. Fr. Sam and Fr. Bill, and many, went to work from there to bring PACTA Uganda to life.
In recent years, the three of us have been in frequent contact with each other to help integrate Hazelden and 12 principles into PACTA services. I was able to gift my professional library to support staff development and to provide recovery materials for clients. Here in April 2024, on my first trip to PACTA Uganda, I was able to bring many more materials that the PACTA team requested to further enhance their competencies and bring more recovery knowledge to clients and families. Hazelden was more honored to donate these materials to PACTA. Fr. Bill and I also have been proviledged to provide some financial support for an important inaugural alumni retreat last year and more recently to host a regional AA conference. These events are just two small examples of the imprtant work of PACTA to make a difference in the lives of addicted / recovering individuals, their families and to the communities.
Thank you Fr. Sam, all family and friends of PACTA Uganda for the 5 years and more of pioneering work in the lives of the people of Uganda and for all those others seeking recovery from the impact of addiction. Like Center City, Minnesota, Gulu, Uganda is God blessed and sacred ground where healing and recovery take place. In the spirit of 12 steps wisdom, may God grant you the courage, power, and wisdom to carry the message to others and practice the principles in all your affairs for many, many more years.
In gratitude and with respect, Bruce A. Larson, MA, LADC (Lincensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor - Retired).
Grace with sobriety June 1975
Awesome