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 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.
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.