Meet our newest little ones!

03 Feb Meet our newest little ones!

Because of the desperate need in the community this year, the Ugandan staff recommended that we accept 33 new children–21 on the Kateta campus and 12 on the Serere campus. That is the most we have every taken in one year!

Thanks to generous Village Partners, we were able to start all of them into the program NOW even though only thirteen have sponsors. As you can see from the pictures, some of them are beginning to thrive under the love and nutrition they are receiving during their time at the Project and some are slower to open up. They all started school yesterday and many received gifts from special donors. There was much joy in this new beginning.

You might wonder what it means to sponsor a child with Village2Village Project!  We are very focused on relationship building.  We ask that you write letters and especially send pictures at least annually to your sponsored child, getting to know them and their family as they get to know you and yours.  Encouragement from a sponsor means the world to them and they think of you as family members who live far away.

Sponsorship support is $65/month for a primary child.  This provides for their education and school supplies, all medical care, at least two meals a day, case management from our staff social workers, and occasional food supplements for their family. We will also ask for a donation for a group Christmas gift as well as a personal ziplock gift to your child annually when we travel to Uganda. Their guardians also have monthly meetings that involve encouragement and practical skills training that will help with the support of their family.

Shared below are children who still need someone to provide them with the love and support that will give them hope. We have listed siblings together, but they do not need to be sponsored together.  Sometimes it’s nice when friends or family members sponsor siblings together though!

Amuja Isaac (8 years old) and his brother Olupot Jackson (6 years old) have seen a lot of trauma in their young lives. They would benefit from a sponsor who understands how difficult it will be for them to open up and begin to trust again. Also that trauma at home may delay their learning. They are incredibly tiny boys.

Omule Daniel (6 years old) is a happy little boy who has been passed around the family after his father died as they tried to find a stable environment for him.  He has settled with his grandfather’s family, a man with 52 children and 5 wives. His step grandmother really loves him.

Pedun Rose (9 years old) is a shy quiet girl.  Her younger brother Elungat Moses (6) is the eldest boy with many sisters; considered the man of the family after the murder of his father.  This family has also experienced unspeakable trauma but support each other well emotionally despite lack of daily food and resources.

Aluka Barbara Rose (8 years old) was left incredibly vulnerable after her mom died in a tragic truck accident and her sick father disappeared. Fortunately, her older sister has taken her into her family where she is much loved. She has three other 8 year olds to play with!  Now she needs a sponsor to come alongside and love her too.

Oriokot Abraham (9) and Imucala Lucy (7) have already transformed in their short time with V2V! Their vulnerability was alarming to a staff who has seen so much. Their widowed mother who was struggling and ready to give up has been encouraged by the relief. She now has hope for her children’s future.

Okiria Isaac is a bright and friendly  10 year old.  His little sister is already sponsored and now he is waiting for someone to choose him.  Their mother is the older sister of one of the other children in our program so it is nice for them to have that family connection.

Obiara Simon (9) is a responsible boy who lives with his mom and several older brothers.  He has a bright smile and is eager to learn and grow.  His dream is to be a doctor. He cooks for the family when his mom is away and looks around for what needs to be done. He would love to have someone to encourage him along the way.

Ocom Felix (9) stays primarily with his grandmother but his auntie’s home is much closer to our school so he lives with her during the school week.  He is another little one who has opened up significantly since we have been here.

Aisu Emmanuel (9) and Olupot Robby (6) live with their single mom in a very modest compound.  They just have the bare necessities there but both boys are thriving with the food and love they are getting at the Project.  They are excited to have someone to sponsor them who will provide a lot of encouragement.

Elenyu Joshua  (9) and Amuge Juliet (7) have had a complicated past as their late father had two wives and there has been some conflict about property ownership.  Joshua is more outgoing than his sister, but we are enjoying seeing Juliet offer a rare smile when she plays with her friends.

Akiteng Dinah Ruth (9) comes from a stable family that experienced much tragedy leaving her with a need for assistance.  Her guardians are educated, but have willingly taken on the children of many deceased or troubled family members.  Dinah would benefit from someone who is devoted to her and her future.

Amanu Gavas (9) and Adono Salome (8) are in a very difficult situation.  Their father suffers from a mental illness leaving their mother to not only care for her huge family but also try to find help for her husband who is struggling.  She has some help from her adult children to care for the husband, but providing stability for Gavas and Salome will be life changing for this family.

Etonu Mark is the younger brother of one of our current children, Aburu Titus. He is a very joyful child in a very tough situation.  He lost both parents within three months.  The 12 children were divided among surviving relatives and Mark, Titus and the other younger siblings are being raised by their 66 year old uncle and his wife.

If you would like to learn more about sponsoring any of the children, you can email laurie@village2villageproject.org or annabel@village2villageproject.org and we will be happy to answer your questions even while we are in Uganda!