One such child is “Chap,” as she is called by those around her, has never been given a real name. She has been living in a home with a low functioning, speech-impaired mother and “Chap” needs to be evaluated as she does not speak or even make a sound. As you can see in her picture, she is extremely malnourished and looks as though she is closer to 8 years of age, though she is 14. She has been placed in a foster home in our village with a woman that will nurture her back to health and address “Chap’s” special needs. Uganda does not provide financial assistance to foster parents, so we are bringing this sweet girl into our sponsorship program to help her get the best care possible and develop to her full potential.

Uganda has limited government or private resources to help disabled children. Many homes care for the children but are unable to help them thrive and live a full life. We have been fortunate to find quality boarding schools for our visually and hearing-impaired children and we are thrilled to have a small, but very good, one here in Kamonkoli that treats and educates those with physical disabilities. Gloria is an inspiring example of this as she has club feet and hands which the family did not have the funds to treat early on, though surgery for such things is available in the country. It was already too late when we found this little girl, but we’ve been able to help her for many years and she is thriving as a high schooler at the Overcomers facility. She is happy, with a big smile and big ambitions for her future as she trusts Jesus to provide for all her needs. Some of our visually and hearing-impaired children have grown up to work in the schools they attended as children.

Malnutrition in this impoverished country is devastating, often leaving children with permanent brain damage and serious learning disabilities. We have had less success securing help for these children and though we serve them at our Genesis School, we also lack the specialized resources to fully address their learning needs. The nutrition we offer helps immensely and many improve over time as a result, but for some it is simply too late. We are thankful that we can offer them the love of Jesus as some accept Him into their hearts and we are able to reach their families with the gospel as well. We dream that one day we can offer a strong special education program to help these precious children meet their full potential.

Fred is a courageous and resilient little boy who has captured our hearts. At just 3 years old, Fred battles rickets and severe malnutrition. He has a hard time standing and wobbles when he walks. Born as a result of a traumatic incident, he found love in his mother, who, though struggling herself, cared for him with all her heart. However, due to her own limitations, he has been placed in our children’s home where we are providing him with the nourishment, special physical therapy and love he needs to grow strong and healthy. Since joining our family, Fred has been welcomed with open arms by his 23 new siblings, who have embraced him as one of their own. 

We are overjoyed to share the news of our latest harvest! With gratitude in our hearts, we are thrilled that our gardens have produced a whopping 14 bags of corn, along with an abundance of other crops including peanuts, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, and cassava. This ample harvest will help us both at the Children’s Home and Genesis School at a time when food costs are continuing to rise.  We are deeply grateful to God, our provider, for His bountiful blessing of fresh, nutritious food for those in need.

With Gratitude and Blessings to all,

Katherine