Why Uganda?
Uganda is home to over 20 million children, many of whom are orphaned, abandoned or vulnerable. The vast majority of Ugandans live in rural areas and earn their living from subsistence agriculture, with half the population living on less than $1 per day. The country’s health indicators are among the lowest in Africa, with almost 7% of children passing away before their fifth birthday. Due to a lack of resources and access to health care, many children in Uganda suffer for years with treatable medical conditions, which often worsen over time. Children who are abandoned or orphaned often end up in crowded orphanages or living on the streets.
Our mission is to protect those children and keep families together as "orphan prevention." With trusted partners on the ground, we serve vulnerable children by meeting their basic needs, such as clothing, food, and shelter and we provide the means for medical intervention if necessary.
Samuel
His needs were brought to us in summer of 2020. Little Samuel in Uganda was malnourished and needed urgent medical cared and nutritional intervention. His improvement, in a matter of months, has been miraculous.
Baby Farouk
Baby Farouk was born to a young mother who is mentally disabled. They are in the care of a "granny" so he can continue to be with his mother. We stepped to provide basic needs because they had nothing. We've provided for their access to a nutrition program at the local hospital and showered them with clothing, diapers,
Douglas & Ivan
When we learned these abandoned boys were living alone in a house that was crumbling, we rallied to change their lives. Within six months, a new house has been built including a latrine, kitchen, solar panels, rainwater catch system, and fully furnished. They now have HOPE - and a HOME.
Ronald's Girls
Ronald in Uganda took his life last year under the stress of the pandemic and left his four daughters behind. We provided everything needed to move them in with their Grandma. We asked about them recently and found out they have grown and needed more food and clothing, which we were happy to provide!
Baby Formula
Thanks to partner connections in Uganda, we were able to act quickly to provide a three-month supply of formula for abandoned babies in emergency foster care.
Joan & Susan
These girls were abandoned and fortunate to be living with their Aunt who has disabilities. We bought her a wheelchair and provided for a new house since theirs was crumbling and unsafe. Within six months, a new house was built including a latrine, kitchen, solar panels, rainwater catch system, and fully furnished.
Aid in desperate situations
Food, basic necessities, and a new roof will be provided for this disabled father and his children. Rain caused the roof of their home to cave in, and as a result they have been sleeping in this kitchen area so they can at least stay out of the rain.
Norah and her family
Baby Dagu has hydrocephalus and we provided for an emergency procedure to drain fluid from his head in 2020. We also supplied basic needs for the family. He is doing well now! In spring 2021, we raised funds to build them a new home (coming soon) and 3 of the kids are back in school! Norah is such a hardworking mama.
Tuition Assistance
The primary grades have returned to school in Uganda and some of these kids did not have the means to get there. Our partners recently referred 24 children to us for tuition aid. When they go to school, they get all the supplies to take with them, including bedding. They receive uniforms and meals on a regular basis.
Christine
Christine, a teen abandoned as a child in Uganda, will begin a hairdressing apprenticeship in January 2021 so she can learn a trade and start a new business to provide for her son.
Maria & Olivia and their siblings
They are finally HOME. These are the children discovered in Uganda last fall - their parents had died last year, and the oldest two, Maria and Olivia (twins) were raising their five younger siblings - on their own. We provided for their basic needs and funded a new HOME, which they've now moved into!
Jameo family
Their father passed away and their mother struggles with providing for the children. The daughter, Bashira, who was under medical care for hydrocephalus at the CURE Hospital in Uganda, unexpectedly passed away last month. She was 9 years old. We covered the hospital and funeral expenses that her mom was unable to pay.
Winter clothing
Thanks to support of our Open Hearts Holiday Shop on Facebook, we were able to provide warm winter clothing for children in multiple orphanages and onsite foster care in China.