30 GIRLS
10 DOUBLE ORPHANS
ORPHAN CRISIS IN UGANDA
Life is extremely difficult for children who have been orphaned in Uganda. Part of Sub Saharan Africa, Uganda shares the issues that all of the other countries in that region face. In addition to extreme poverty and high incidences of malaria and AIDS, there is the ever-looming history of conflict in this part of Africa. The country has experienced hardship in the past as thousands of children left their families to avoid abduction and recruitment into the Lord’s Resistance Army, acquiring for themselves the title of “Night Commuters.” Despite Uganda’s history and extreme improvements over the years, Uganda still faces an orphan crisis. There is still an estimated 3.5 million children in Uganda who were orphaned due to either AIDS or violence. These children, at no fault of their own, face discrimination and are often marginalized because of the culture’s stigma that blames AIDS orphans of committing witchcraft or sorcery. Many live in extreme poverty, and as a result, many children are abandoned or are forced to work. Orphaned and abandoned children are extremely vulnerable to dangers such as trafficking, child labor, and abuse. These children rely on homes such as Grace Orphanage for immediate relief from the harsh realities they would otherwise face.
GRACE ORPHANAGE
Grace Orphanage was founded in 1999 when a local pastor and his wife saw the plight of orphans in their community. Many children had been orphaned because of the rampant spread of HIV/AIDS as well as the outbreak of civil war. With nowhere to live and no family left to care for them, these children were more susceptible than ever to violence, exploitation and disease. Joseph and Catherine Kagarama took orphans into their own home, trusting God alone to provide for their needs. They did this with prayers to somehow obtain funds to purchase a plot of land on which to build a home for children. God answered that prayer and they have been able to buy that land. Grace orphanage now provides a safe refuge for over 50 children, and gives them the opportunity to go to school, access medical care, and provide opportunities to learn a new trade for future employment.
Serving Orphans Worldwide travels to every orphanage we partner with to ensure needs are legitimate and 100% of funds distributed goes to the livelihood of the children.
PROMINENT ISSUES
HIV/ AIDS
UNAIDS estimates that 1.4 million people in Uganda are living with HIV/AIDs, with 190,000 of them being children. They also reported that nearly 1.1 million children have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda.
Armed Conflict
UNICEF estimates that nearly 20,000 children have been abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda in the past two decades. These children face unimaginable atrocities, forced to fight and work as slaves.
Destitution
For orphaned and abandoned children in Uganda, poverty makes them even more vulnerable to exploitation and disease.
HOME
Grace Orphanage is consisted of three main buildings- a girl’s dorm, a boy’s dorm and a kitchen. Potable water is accessible 24/7 on the property, so the children do not have to worry about water borne diseases on site.
EDUCATION
The home runs a primary school on the premises, giving the children an education they probably would not have gotten in their previous circumstances. The children who are enrolled in secondary schools or universities travel off-site to attend those.
FAITH
Grace Orphanage fosters an environment of love and restoration, seeing to the children’s spiritual needs as well. The children attend church every Sunday as well as participate in weekly devotionals.
HEALTH
The children go to a nearby hospital and clinic when a medical issue arises. They have been vaccinated as recommended by their public health organization, and other recommended medical tests are regularly administered.
SPONSOR THIS HOME
Grace Uganda – Sponsorship Needs
$60 of $24,000 raised
This year, we have a goal to help improve the quality of care for these amazing children, and we need your help. Your gift will help provide education, a safe home, health, and adult mentors who can share the Love of Christ. Our promise to you is that 100% will go directly to the home.
