Uganda Orphanage Relief Fund

Tractor

2009-02-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

This tractor was donated by Grandpa Hampton, age 90, who actually used this tractor on his farm in Western Michgan in the early 1900s. Greg Hampton and Grandfather put on a new motor, got in in working condition and trasported it to Illinois. From there it went on the ourf container bound for Uganda. We will use the tractor to plow fields that supply our homes with food.

Bethesda Children's Village

2008-02-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

In our ongoing mission to care for Uganda’s most vulnerable children, UORF is pleased to announce the beginnings of Bethesda Children’s Village. This new community will be a permanent residence for children who are orphaned or have been abandoned. Our first and best option is to always seek out a relative or family member who is willing to take in a child. Unfortunately, some children have no family to turn to for care and support—they are completely alone.

Our vision is to create the village to emulate an environment similar to typical Uganda family life—this is done to avoid any appearance of an institution. We will build simple family cottages that will accommodate up to eight children and a house parent. Each cottage will include a couple of acres of farmland so the children can learn the essential skills needed to thrive in an agriculture-based economy.

The village will also encompass a Christian primary school and Church. The church plant will be started by the Prespeterian Church in Uganda. World-wide Christians Schools will partner with UORF to build the primary school.

To help the Bethesda Children’s Village thrive, there are many ways that you can contribute to this project. We have purchased 20 of the 45 needed acres. In addition, please see a list of our other needs below. We thank you for becoming involved in our efforts to change the life of these children. You can make a donation at uorf.org.

Cottage $8000
1 acre of land $1000
Chicken coop $700
Pig Pen $700
Dairy Cow $500
Tilapia Pond $500
Pig $75
Goat $50
4 Chickens $50

UORf Starts New Project in Katonga Slum

2008-01-30T18:35:00.000-08:00

The slum of Katonga is situated at a low point on the outskirts of Kampala. At the entrance of the slum is a small church not much bigger than an average American living room. Pastor Godfrey and his wife, have been faithfully serving there for years. He is educated and well spoken and certainly could have a large "successful" church in Kampala. If the church was not pointed out, one would not be able to distinguish it from the other homes assembled from a compilation of plastic tarps and tin roof scraps. Each night this church provides a place of safety and rest for forty six children once exploited by thugs and local prostitution rings. Along with Pastor Godfrey, nine other men from the church sleep at it's entrance and stand guard as deviants hurl rocks on the tin roof and taunt the young girls.

UORF has decided to come along side Pastor Godfrey and help support his ministry to these children. At this time UORF is providing rent for a home and meeting crucial needs. Over the next several months we hope to put in place the necessary accountability structure so that we can increase our support and provide sponsorships so that all the kids can get into school.

Pigs Provide Protien

2008-01-30T17:37:00.000-08:00

I know she's cute, but unfortunately she's future food. Pinky Pig lives at Bethel Children's Home. Who knows maybe she will be fortunate enough to have a few piglets before providing much need nutrition for our kids.

New System Provides Clean Water to All our Homes

2008-01-30T17:10:00.000-08:00

The water purification system operates off a car battery. We have one system at each of our homes. Water pours in one end, is electrically charged, filtered through salt ... and poof... out comes chlorine. Sorry if my scientific jargon went over your head. A couple of teaspoons of this chlorine concentrate can purify 5 gallons of water! Just as a note if swallowed it may give a little stomach ache, but it is not fatal. This is much much more cost effective and much much less time consuming than boiling water - the only other viable option for making safe drinking water. Thank you to Doug and Julie and their friends from Iowa for donating the systems.

UORF's First Agriculture Project!

2008-01-30T16:10:00.000-08:00

UORF has officially started its first agriculture project. Mark, who is pictured here and is UORF’s in country director, managed the project in partnership with Pastor Vincent, director of UORF’s Bethel Children’s Home. We purchased 2 acres of land a short walk from Bethel Children’s Home in Kyananjula. The sweet potato crop is coming along very well and when it's harvested will be able to provide potatoes to all our homes. This is the first step in our vision toward sustainability for our food supply. In addition to providing food, we plan to use the agricultural projects to educate the orphans on farming. Agriculture is the largest contributor to Uganda’s GDP, comprising of 31% of the value of the GDP (Statistic provided by World Development Indicators). In rural areas a majority of the people’s livelihood derives from sustenance farming.

WCGS Christmas Gift Program

2007-12-30T16:15:00.000-08:00

Each year WCGS has a Christmas gift program that helps needy people around the world. The kindergarten and 5th grade classes rose over $1500 dollars. In addition, the kids donated small toys, vitamins, medicine and bedding. The kids gave up their allowances and did their own fundraisers! We will be bringing these gifts to Uganda on the 10th of January. The money raised is going to support our kids camps to be held in Kynanjula and Mercy Ministries. Last year we fed and presented the gospel to over 600 kids! The remaining donations will go to help fix-up our current homes with mosquito nets, new mattresses and new paint. Thank you to all who help support this special project!

Mercy's New House

2007-11-22T08:52:00.000-08:00

After two years of getting kicked out of house after house Mercy Ministries finally has a permanent home. The move is scheduled for December 07. All the children will now be under one roof. This will help to unify leadership and reduce costs. The new home runs on solar power and has its own water supply so utility costs will also be eliminated.