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In the North of Uganda, where the 20 year rebel-led war has left a large demographic of orphans in its wake, FCU has launched a pilot program, The Family Care Village Project, as a holistic and self-sustainable approach to addressing the desperate needs the children and their communities face.
While war still raged in Gulu, Family Care Uganda (FCU) facilitated the collection and distribution of literally tons of aid, in the form of clothing, shoes and food for the care of many orphans, gathered at Kora Abili and Cwero IDP camps. (IDP = Internally Displaced Persons, otherwise known as refugees).
FCU’s program incorporates the STEPS Program, a character-and-values-building curriculum developed by educators in Uganda and South Africa. This curriculum includes a diverse array of stories, poems, songs and activities specifically tailored to an African audience.
A primary goal of Family Care Uganda is to brighten the lives of all those we come into contact with. We have had a range of members who have had exceptional talents and by using those God-given gifts, have effected change for good in the lives of many in Uganda.
In the course of distributing donations to needy orphanages and small community-based organizations, staff members of Family Care Uganda came across Mercy Home of Children in the outskirts of Kampala. We continued to provide weekly donations of food, clothing and firewood for these 130 orphans for the next year.
When the floods struck in the northeast of Uganda, hundreds of thousands of people were stranded, with zero access to food, roads or hope.
Karamoja is a very special area in Uganda–unique in the high rate of desertification, and in so many elements of their distinctive culture. Since the area is very dry, and violent cattle raids have continued at a steady rate, the area has been marginalized and it’s only recently that distinct progress has been seen.
Mary’s (13) father was killed by the LRA when she was young. Her mother struggles to care for her 6 children by selling veggies. Mary gets kerosene from school to sell, to buy books and clothing, and then brings the money for it the following day. She’s very sweet natured.
Fred (12) is an excellent student and came top in his class last year. Sadly, his father was burnt alive in a hut by the rebels. His mother has many other children and Fred works hard after school–laying bricks, carrying 20 liter jerry cans of water for people—to raise money to help his overburdened mother.
Fiona (12) had both her parents abducted by the rebels. Her father was killed and her mother is still in the bush with them. She really wants to study well.
Andrew’s (10) parents were killed during the war by the rebels. He lives with his grandmother. He is very well mannered and an earnest student.
Esther (11), whose dad the rebels killed in a terrible way because he sold pigs, is staying with her elderly grandma.
Jane (14) had her father abducted by the rebels and doesn’t know what happened to him. Her mother struggles, selling small things every day to try to get food for her many children. Jane helps a lot with the younger ones. She was top in her class and is a very eager, bright student.
Ivan’s (11) dad was abducted by the rebels, but when he escaped years later, it was so difficult for him to adjust to normal life and reconcile all he’d done during the war, he committed suicide. Ivan’s mother begs from hut to hut, asking them to let her wash their clothes for a few shillings. He was top in his class last year and has a lot of academic potential.
Walter (10) is a kind, caring boy whose parents were abducted by the rebels and killed. He’s with his very poor aunty, who struggles to care for her 5 children as well as her late sister’s 2 children.
Patrick (13) was on the Sudan border with his family. The Sudanese bombed the area, and shot his 3 young sisters. His mother and brother ran into a hut, while Patrick ran behind a different one. They shot his mother and brother and so he’s now with his grandma, and struggles with flash-backs from time to time, having witnessed such sad happenings to his loved-ones.
Vicky (14) and her sister head a child-headed family with 3 little ones. Their father was a soldier with the Ugandan army, chasing the rebels, but was killed in Sudan 3 years ago. Their mother is in Sudan trying to raise some money for them all, so the older sisters have the full responsibility of caring for the young siblings. She is a very good student.
Gloria (11) had her father killed by rebels during the war and her mother died of AIDS soon afterwards. She’s very clever and self-disciplined. She helps care for the younger children of her aunty’s family who’s struggling to raise them all–they all share clothes and shoes.
Katy (13) had her mother and father killed in the Congo, where she’s from. A Ugandan soldier saw her running and screaming and brought her to Gulu and added her to his family, but now he’s passed away with AIDS. She is usually extremely quiet and sad. Please pray for her. She is pictured with teacher Sarah who has a special love for these dear children.
Prisca (13) had her father killed in the war and she helps her unwell HIV+ mother care for the 4 other siblings. She is quiet and always polite.
Peace (13) lost both her parents to the rebels during the war. She’s staying with her grandma along with the other 4 children of her family. She is clever, polite and a good student.
