From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — A Hewitt-Trussville High School graduate and recent Samford University graduate, is on a mission to teach children in Uganda. But the coronavirus pandemic has her plans in limbo and her efforts to raise money for the trip have stalled.
Michaela Hunter just earned her degree in elementary and special education in May. After completing an internship in Bundibugyo, Uganda last summer, Hunter said she felt her work wasn’t done there.
“I fell in love with the culture there and when I came back I realized God was calling me back there,” Hunter said.
Hunter finished her student-teaching last fall and said she was waiting patiently in prayer as to where to go next.
“I kind of wanted him to call me to Hawaii or something because I feel like that would be a lot more fun,” Hunter said.
But Hawaii wasn’t in the plan for Hunter. She didn’t have to wait long before God sent her direction.
“I got a call from the girl working for Serge, the organization I’m going through,” Hunter explained. “She said they had been praying for missionary teachers to come. It was just really cool how that worked out.”
Hunter will teach children of missionaries, preschool through sixth grade, in a one-room schoolhouse.
“It’s kind of like ‘Little House on the Prairie,” Hunter said. “I always wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder so I feel like I’m getting a little taste of that.”
Serge offers the educational program to assist missionaries with children.
“The parents would normally homeschool but when they do that they aren’t able to do their mission,” Hunter added. “So, me being there will help them do their mission.”
Hunter will live on a compound with other missionaries. She will live in a house with another teacher at the school.
There have been some obstacles for Hunter, due to the coronavirus pandemic. She is planning to leave in September but the trip could be delayed. Although she has raised some money for the trip, Hunter said fundraising has been difficult because of the virus. She is still in need of around $12,000. If you would like to help, you can make a donation by clicking here or by making a check payable to Serge, with Hunter 51047 in the memo. Send checks to Donations Processing Center, P.O. Box 96900, Washington, D.C. 20090.