Uganda NEEDS You!

Today I went to a cultural enrichment based on Uganda: A Nation of Children at Risk. I have always had a strong passion for Africa and for children so this had my name all over it. But I didn't realize how much God would move me in this 45 minute cultural enrichment lecture.

Professor Cindi Bearden, who gave the lecture, showed statistics, pictures, facts, percentages, etc. all about Uganda. A fairly beautiful country in Africa, famous for being the tourist country, it is 84 % christian and speaks mainly English but is extremely dangerous for children right now. Uganda already faces intense struggles with AIDS/HIV, like many other African countries. But on top of their fight for health, they face extreme poverty, the rise of child sacrificing, and a climbing amount of orphans. Just a few facts that will blow your mind: The average Ugandan woman has 6 children. The life expectancy for a native of Uganda is between 40 and 52 years old.  Uganda's literacy rate is barely 70 %, but only 54 % of children finish PRIMARY school. (THAT'S UP TO 6TH GRADE!) Nearly 1.5 million kids are orphaned due to aids. Approximately 20,000 babies are infected with AIDS just by mother-to-infant transfer, every year. Those statistics are beyond scary. They are just depressing.

But with all that sadness comes Hope. :) Agape Total Childcare Orphanage is trying their best to follow God's will and help save the beautiful orphans of Uganda. The orphanage, started by William Nsubuga takes in children who have lost BOTH parents to HIV/Aids. They have a stable facility that provides the basic needs for the orphans, but are in desperate need of upgrades and support. Agape is at full capacity right now with 36 children. They do their best to teach, love and provide for each child, but they need our help!

One of the big programs they have are sponsoring the orphans! Each orphan can be sponsored by a family, group, or even just one individual. It is a SMALL price to pay to provide SO MUCH for these children. There are still 22 orphans with no sponsors and are in need of support. If you feel like this is something you feel led to be doing, please let me know and I can give you all and any information you would like and help get you started! David Platt once said, "...it's easier to ignore orphans before you know their names..." So Here you go! These are REAL kids with REAL needs and REAL names!
1.Apayi, Betty
2. Kamoga, Herman (1997)
3.Kawooya, Emma

4.Kato, Jovan

5.Kikazi, Lydia (2000)

6.Kisakye, Esther (11 yrs)

7.Kubuubi, John Kevin (1996)

8.Kyolaba, Winnie (6 yrs old)

9.Lupayi, Brian (12 yrs. old)

10.Makumbi, Brian

11.Muwanguzi, Suzette (9/26/04)
12.Nakakande, Margaret (1996)

13.Nakakande, Annet (1995)

14.Nakalema, Rosette (15 yrs. old)
15. Nakito, Rachael (11 yrs. old)

16.Nakyagaba, Margaret (5/15/99)

17.Namayanja, Patricia (7 or 8 yrs old)

18.Namirembe, Linda (9/9/94)

19.Nantale, Regina (15 yrs. old)

20.Ssekirime, Ezrah (8/12/96)

21.Wasswa, Elves (Elvis)

22.Wegulo, Doglous (6/5/98)

These beautiful and precious children just want love and a fair chance at life and that is exactly what Agape is trying to give them! We should all do our best to help make that happen for them-- because we all have it SO good here in the states. No matter where we are, we have access to air conditioning, reliable water, love, and are not daily put in risk of getting Aids or being sacrificed for wealth.

I hope everyone considers these children and what we can do to help- but most importantly please give them your prayers. Nothing done for the Lord, is done in vain! Thank you!