Seeds of Wisdom in South Sudan
Supporting Students and Families from South Sudan through EducationA nonprofit organization, working in partnership with the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester, MN and the people of South Sudan, dedicated to the education of the children of Pukuka, Yei, South Sudan, with a focus on the development of educational opportunities emphasizing Catholic values, academic success and access to improved health care.
Benefit Dinner, Feature

2026 Seeds of Wisdom Benefit Dinner – Oct 11, 2026

Thomas Belda
8 September, 2026

Please mark the date and plan to attend.   We need your support on behalf of the Students in Ugandan Refugee Camps!  Your support is vital to the needs of these students and supporting their future lives through education!

2026 Seeds of Wisdom Benefit Dinner

  • What  —  This our annual fund-raising event for the Seeds of Wisdom in South Sudan.  The school, now operating out of the refugee camps in Uganda, provides a quality education to over 400 students in primary and secondary school.
  • When  —    Sunday, October 11, 2026.  Doors open at 6:00pm and the event concludes by 8:30pm.
  • Where  —   Saint John the Evangelist School Gymnasium Downtown Rochester

– Parking available in the School Lot and at the Church.

Brief Program Schedule 

— 6 p.m. Doors open (- Start of silent auction )

  • Welcome
  • Dinner and dessert served
  • Comments from leadership
  • Live auction
  • Fund the need
  • Concluding comments and thank you

Tickets 

$75 per person (same as last several years) with a 10% discount ($67.50) if purchased by September 28th. Tickets available after all weekend Masses from September 12 – October 5th or available business hours at the Parish Center.  We can accept cash, checks (made payable to Seeds of Wisdom) or credit/debit cards.

Dinner provided by Victoria’s Italian Ristorante’  

– Menu includes Classic Favorites from Victoria’s

  • Baked Mostaccioli
  • Chicken Alfredo
  • Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Fettuccini Alfredo
  • Caesar Salad
  • Victoria’s Famous Dinner Rolls
  • Desert
  • Drinks  – Coffee, Lemonade, Water

– Bar – providing – Beer and wine available for purchase

 

Live Auction Items Below with more to be announced leading up to the Event. 

LEBRON JAMES AUTOGRAPHED BASKETBALL

LeBron James autographed this second basketball when he was in town for his son’s treatment at Mayo in 2023.  In addition to being signed by arguably one of the best players the game has ever seen, this ball is also signed by teammate Rui Hachimura and then assistant coach of the Lakers, Phil Handy.

Estimated Value: $1,500

 

PROFESSIONAL PORTRAIT SESSION

Professional Portrait session at ARK the Agency – the downtown Creative Media Studio owned by Principal and Lead Digital Creator – Bryan Rodriguez.   This includes up to 20 beautifully edited high-resolution photos for families, personal and professional photos, a romantic couple shoot, or a personal fashion moment to capture your authentic vibe.

Brian will work with you to determine the best location, setting and approach to capturing your images and media with his expertise!

Estimated Value: $500

 

​

  FOURSOME OF GOLF WITH FATHER JERRY MAHON AT “THE JEWELL” IN LAKE CITY

Three players will join Father Jerry for eighteen holes of golf (with cart) at The Jewell Golf Course in Lake City at a mutually agreeable time. Expert or beginner, Fr. Jerry will make it a fun time for everyone.

Estimated Value: $500

 

 

 


 TWO TICKETS TO THE MINNESOTA PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM GAME OF YOUR CHOICE

Two tickets to any professional sporting event in the Twin Cities to be used prior to September 30, 2027. Want to see Caitlin Clark and the Fever against the Lynx? Want to see LeBron one last time against the Timberwolves? How about cheering on the Vikings or Twins or Wild? Playoffs or regular season, you choose the game and two tickets to the lower bowl seating area will be delivered to your Ticketmaster account.

Estimated Value: $500

 

FATHER JERRY AND FATHER JOHN HOSTED DINNER FOR SIX

Enjoy a gourmet dinner for six hosted by Father Jerry and Father John and prepared by world famous chef, Father Jerry. Enjoy a memorable evening and exquisite food at Father Jerry’s new home in NE Rochester.

Estimated Value: Priceless

Silent Auction

A wide variety of gift baskets, items and services will be offered to the highest bidder.

Payment Options for Fundraiser Dinner

We can accept cash, checks (made payable to Seeds of Wisdom) or credit/debit cards for payment of Live Auction, Silent Auction and Fund the Need.

If you cannot attend the Fund Raiser Dinner on Oct 11th; please reach out to find out how you can help with a donation to this incredibly important cause to benefit the students from South Sudan in Ugandan Refugee Camp Schools.   Donations to fund a need can be accepted through several different means including this website.

Thank you.

 

 

 

Feature, Student Stories!

Jacob Mambu – living the Mission of Seeds of Wisdom

Thomas Belda
5 May, 2026

Seeds of Wisdom’s mission in action!

 

In addition to educating 325 students in primary school and 78 in secondary boarding school, Seeds of Wisdom supports students in vocational programs including nursing, tailoring, auto mechanics and construction. Pictured here is Jacob Mambu, our first student in the Bricklaying and Concrete Practice.  Jacob has found his place in this “hands-on” training program.

Would you like to receive periodic updates on Seeds of Wisdom? Send an email to us at info@sowsouthsudan.org with your first and last name included in the email or subject line to be added to this information email.

 

Benefit Dinner, Feature, Student Stories!

2026 – Seeds of Wisdom in South Sudan Secondary/Vocational School Support Needed!

Thomas Belda
19 April, 2026

2026 Seeds of Wisdom in South Sudan Secondary/Vocational School Support Needed! 

Providing hope for tomorrow in a place where hope is often in short supply.

The roots of Seeds of Wisdom date back to the 2010s when Saint John the Evangelist church in Rochester was joined by a new associate pastor, Father John, from Pukuka, South Sudan.

Father John’s story and spirit moved a group of people in the community to establish a 501(c)(3) to raise money to build and run a primary school in Father John’s former hometown.  The funds were raised; the school was built and opened in 2015.  Sadly, as civil unrest returned in 2017, the town’s residents were forced to flee to refugee camps in Uganda with only what they were able to carry.


With hard work and ingenuity, the primary school was reestablished in the camps and now educates 325 primary students.  In 2023, generous parishioners pledged $250,000 to send 50 students to four years of secondary boarding school.  The success of that effort brings us now to seek support for educating the next group of students for six years of secondary boarding school. We have discovered that six years will provide students with significantly better career prospects.


Life in a refugee camp for a year is difficult. Over eight years is beyond most of our imaginations. Food is scarce, shelter is primitive and hope is in short supply. An education and the prospect of a better future not only give the students hope, it gives hope to their families and their community.

 

Learn more about this Call to Action:   Link to Interview for more information from Father Mahon on KTTC NBC TV

2026 Seeds of Wisdom in South Sudan Secondary/Vocational School 

Moses’ smile says it all – he has confidence, he has a dream and he has hope.  Our next group of students is seeking the same.  Watch for more information here as to ways that you can contribute and help students like Moses. 

 

Feature, Student Stories!

Dec 2025 – Christmas Gifts for Camp Students

Thomas Belda
8 January, 2026

December 2025:
Students from Rochester Catholic Schools elementary and middle school, provided donations of clothing items along with new footwear provided by funds from the Seeds of Wisdom South Sudan in support of primary needs for the children in the refugee camps in Uganda.  The students of Seeds of Wisdom expressed their gratitude for these gifts and appreciation for the donations provided by the students in Rochester!

To contribute to the students and families that are part of the Seeds of Wisdom supported refugee camps in Uganda that are part of our community please consider making a tax deductible donation in support of this important mission.

Click on an image in the gallery below to see full size photo!

 

Benefit Dinner, Feature

Thank you for the contributions made enabling the success of our benefit dinner!

Web Team
7 January, 2026

2025 Seeds of Wisdom Benefit Dinner A Success!

Gratitude and appreciation are the sentiments we wish to convey to all of the participants, contributors, volunteers and sponsors of our 2025 Benefit Dinner for Seeds of Wisdom.

The 2025 Annual Seeds of Wisdom fund raising event this year was a twist on the benefit dinner we have offered to generous benefactors and supporters of the mission of Seeds of Wisdom over the years.   This was a great success for us raising $53,906 – slightly more than at last year’s event.   The smiles and energy of those who participated as welcomed guests, attendees, as well as volunteers, were part of the gift of the evening.   Everyone appeared to enjoy a wonderful evening.    Thank you to all that helped make this event happen through donations of time and support!

Special thanks to Premier Event Sponsor Victoria’s Ristorante and Wine Bar –  in Rochester who provided the amazing, delicious catered meal. We were very excited about the amazing sponsorship provided for this event from Victoria’s Ristorante & Wine Bar, Events and Catering.  Victoria’s named ‘Best of the Best’ Award Winners in Rochester for 17 years (Rochester Post Bulletin).   Food for this benefit dinner was prepared by Victoria’s Staff at Events and Catering!

Thank you also to the Knights of Columbus  Council 1013 in Rochester, for contributing support for logistics and setup and take down of the event at the Parish School of St. John the Evangelist.

 

Benefit Dinner, Feature

Save the date! Benefit Dinner for Seeds of Wisdom – South Sudan. Oct 26th, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

Thomas Belda
4 July, 2025

Please consider saving the date Sunday Oct, 26th 2025  6:15 PM to attend the annual benefit fundraiser (Dinner event) to support the students and families from South Sudan that are in refugee camp schools in Uganda.

We are also very excited about the amazing sponsorship provided for this event from Victoria’s Ristorante & Wine Bar, Events and Catering.  ‘Best of the Best’ Award Winners in Rochester for 17 years (Rochester Post Bulletin).   Food for the dinner will be prepared by Victoria’s Staff at Events and Catering!

Join us for inspiration, fellowship, food and fun!  We already have a number of exciting items for the auction and we are looking for more!   If you have an item you would like to donate for the Silent auction please contact Susie Foley at  sfoley@sj.org.   Baskets for the silent auction are needed by Friday October 10th.    If you have a service, or experience you can donate for this important fundraiser for the Live auction, please contact Thom Belda at belda.thomas@gmail.com

Thank you for your support!

Benefit Dinner, Feature

Progress on self sustaining farming for families of SOW students

Web Team
3 July, 2025

Our mission to educate Students from South Sudan continues to bear fruit despite many challenges. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most recently, famine has struck Sudan and South Sudan, creating what some are calling the most dangerous humanitarian crisis on earth today.   The effects are also being felt in the refugee camps for our students attending school in Uganda.  While we cannot buy enough food to feed all of our Seeds of Wisdom families, we were inspired by the old proverb, “Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”

With the help of our amazing administrator George, we were able to rent land at low cost to provide a quarter acre for each family to farm and grow food.  The people of Pukuka are skilled farmers and they should reap a harvest in a few months.   Hear more stories like this at our annual Seeds of Wisdom Benefit Dinner: October 26th, at 6:00 PM.  Join us for inspiration, fellowship, food and fun.   We already have a number of exciting items for the benefit Auction and are looking for more.

Feature, Student Stories!

Student’s Generosity Provides Christmas Magic

Thomas Belda
16 December, 2024

SEEDS OF WISDOM: STUDENTS’ GENEROSITY PROVIDES CHRISTMAS MAGIC

Catholic school students in Rochester Minnesota contributed nearly $3,000 to help procure Christmas presents for our Seeds of Wisdom students from South Sudan in Uganda.   Click on the images below to view full screen.

Teachers work to separate and sort new clothes that arrived for SOW Students.
Sorting and separating dresses and clothing for the students.
Matching sizes and sorting dresses for the students of SOW.
Pictures of gratitude and excitement for the girls who each received 2 dresses each.
Pictures of gratitude and excitement for the girls who each received 2 dresses each.
Teachers sorting clothing for SOW Students in Uganda
Trying on clothes and posing for pictures!
Gratitude and excitement from the students.
Smiles of appreciation from the SOW Students.
Bales of clothing purchased with funding provided by Students of Rochester Catholic Schools.
Photos of smiles and appreciation!

Saint John the Evangelist Middle School students in Rochester, Mn. raised nearly $1,000 in a Halloween costume dress up event, and Rochester Lourdes High School students raised $2,000 in a “dress down” casual day.  The money they raised went to purchase a Christmas gift of clothing for our Seeds of Wisdom students from South Sudan that are in refugee camps currently in Uganda. Each girl received two dresses and the boys received a pair of jean and a shirt. The five bales of clothing were distributed earlier this month. As you can see from the smiles, the gifts were much appreciated!