I previously mentioned I was going to highlight some of the different organizations that I know of and want to support. Most of them work with orphans or children who have very poor living conditions.
I thought it was only right to start with Victory Care Services -this is the organization we are going to help out with in Uganda.
I actually found out about this organization because my cousin, Tyler and his wife, Michelle, along with their two adorable children, are living in Africa right now, working with Victory Care Services.
From what I understand, Tyler and Michelle run Immanuel Drop-in Center for street boys. They are actually in the process of making some huge changes. They are currently building duplexes where they will be able to house 8 boys per duplex and for each duplex they will have a set of house parents. It is as close to a family as many of these boys will get. To help fund the expenses they are hoping to set each of the boys up with sponsors who are willing to pay $40/month which will cover their food, clothing, school fees, and medical expenses.
While we are in Uganda I plan on helping Michelle teach some of the boys as many of them haven’t been to school in a long time and only have a grade two or three level education. I am hoping to gather up some teaching resources here that I can bring out there to use. Jared is planning on setting them up with a website/updating a really old one, since I will be taking about a million photos during our time there I am sure we will be using some for the site.
A couple of weeks ago Tyler and Michelle sent out biographies of the boys that will be moving in the duplex’s and will need sponsors. A couple of the stories just hit me and I wanted to share them.
John
John is 12 years old and full of life. He is a mischievous young man who loves to play tricks on all his fellow “brothers” from the Immanuel drop-in center.
John has been living on the streets for two years now and before that was staying with his Grandmother. His mother died when he was a baby and his father left to join the army. John has not seen or heard from his father since he was three years old. John stayed with his Grandmother for seven years after his father left. He used to be in charge of looking after all the animals and if the animals got into the neighbours gardens John would be beaten. He was also told to sleep in the bush sometimes if his Grandmother was annoyed with him. Finally he decided that living on the streets was better than remaining with his Grandmother.
John has finished up to Grade 3 in school and would like to go back. He is a very bright young man and does well when he learns new concepts at the drop-in center school. When John grows up he wants to be a taxi driver. John cannot wait to move into a house of his own with loving parents. He has his bedroom picked out and is waiting eagerly for the day the homes are ready for him.
Mweze
Mweze is about 14 years old although he is not sure exactly when he was born and we believe he is more around the age of 12. Mweze has a very gentle, soft heart. He is always ready to help out when he sees something that needs to be done, and he has a huge smile that works its way into your heart.
Mweze’s dad died from an accident at work three years ago and his mom died one year ago from a sickness. Mweze was first staying with his grandmother after his mother died. He has three older brothers but they all left and he is not sure where they have gone. Mweze’s father had land that was left for him but after his mother died, his grandmother sold all his land other than a very small piece with a small mud house on it. She then left Mweze there to care for himself and left with the money that had come from the sale of the land. Mweze had no food so left the village and came to live on the streets of Kabale.
He has never been to school but is eager to learn. Mweze wants to be a doctor when he grows up. He has a long road ahead of him but he is very excited for the chance to live in a home where he will be loved and cared for.
I can’t wait to meet these precious boys. I am sure you will hearing more about them in the future!
I hope you enjoy shooting in manual mode!
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