Imagine yourself sitting in a house with only mats as beds, dirty dishes surrounded by flies, and rabbit poop everywhere. Can you picture what that looks like? Imagine the smell. Can you smell the stench of pee? Now imagine a drunken mother sitting on the floor smiling, thinking she had visitors with good news when in reality, they came to tell the mother her son’s sponsor dropped him for whatever reason. Imagine the stress and worry and sadness that came over her wondering how she was going to pay for his school fees on top of wondering how she was going to feed her and her three children with no job. Imagine a mother so bitter with her husband who abandoned them and was the spark of her addiction. Imagine her crying telling their story of brokenness and shame. Imagine all of that. Now imagine me, a 21-year-old college student, not understanding a word she was saying because of the language barrier but weeping with this single mother because I could see the hurt she was feeling and see the fear in her eyes. Imagine all the thoughts and questions I had running through my head, but also imagine all the scriptures and encouragement shutting down the doubts and fears I had for this family. Can you imagine all of this?
I visited Mama Dorothy’s house my first week living in the village, I had no idea how quickly the Lord was going to answer my only prayer I had before I left the states. “I want to feel what You feel, see what You see, and hear what You hear.” I felt the brokenness in that house, that day. I saw the tears and heard the hurt, too. That was the day that the Lord spoke to me, so subtle yet so clear. After leaving Mama Dorothy’s house, I realized that was the first time I cried which is a lot to me considering I cry at just about anything. The next couple days I couldn’t stop thinking about Mama Dorothy and her son, Thomas, so I asked God to make my path straight. I asked Him to lead me to wherever He wanted to go and do whatever He wanted me to do, and He did. He led me right into one of the offices at Empower a Child and that is where I found Sandra, the sponsorship manager. The Lord made it clear that the tug and pull on my heart was for Thomas and I wanted to give him another chance to have a better future.
So now, almost 6 weeks later I have committed to sponsoring not just one but TWO sweet Ugandan kiddos named Thomas and Comfort. I have committed to help further their education by paying $70 a month ($35 each) while also giving them the access to the medical clinic at Empower’s guesthouse in the village. Here is where they can be treated for malaria, which is one of the most easily treatable diseases that kills the most people. I have committed to love and care for them from afar, in America, while also building our relationships while I’m still here in Uganda.
Empower A Child wants to help you be the hands and feet of God. When you join them, whether through child sponsorship, on a mission trip to Uganda, or with a donation, you open yourself to allowing God to make a difference in your life.
Empower A Child seeks to bring confidence and self-sustainability to orphaned and vulnerable children of East Africa by teaching modern skills, giving the opportunity of education, and disciplining through the word of God.
The overwhelming poverty in East Africa prevents many parents from being able to pay the school fees required for their children to get an education, and the many orphaned children in the country are left with little to no hope. BUT you can give these children a chance for a better future. Through child sponsorship, this ensures that children can obtain an education, meals at school, school supplies, medical care, and basic needs such as mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. More importantly, they receive love and care from staff members and volunteers through Bible studies, life skills training, home visits, and school follow-ups. Many of the children receive the foundation for their faith through these programs.
Child sponsorship allows people from all over the world to make a difference in the lives of children who deserve a change. Currently, over 600 children throughout Uganda are being sponsored through Empower a Child, with many more on a list hoping for sponsors of their own. During my stay in Uganda, I have got to meet 3 incredible MSTs who sponsor a total of 5 kids and I want to tell you a little about their stories:
Delaney, a 22-year-old college graduate from California, is living in Uganda for a whole year volunteering for Empower a Child. She stayed in Uganda for 3 months last summer and absolutely loved it. While back in the States, Del decided her last year of university that she was going to sponsor 2 little girls. Viola is in Top class, while Gloria is in P1. Del has now has been sponsoring them for a year and gets to strengthen her relationships with them while she lives in Uganda.
Rachel, a 21-year-old college student from Illinois, is now on her 3rd trip to Uganda with Empower a Child. This place has stolen her heart. 3 years ago, Rach decided she was going to sponsor a girl named Florence. She is now in P4 and Rach has got to watch her grow up into the young woman she is becoming. This past week, Rach found out that Florence’s brother, Godfrey, who is supposed to be in S1 is unable to attend school due to no income. Rachel has now committed to sponsoring not only Florence, but her brother as well, and is building their relationships by playing Uno and watching movies together.
Caitlyn, a 19-year-old college student from Kentucky, flew on her very first airplane this summer to spend 9 weeks in the village. She is studying to be a teacher and got to put what she has been learning to work by being in the classroom. While helping the students learn, Caitlyn got to meet Faith, a girl in P4 who had been dropped not too long after Caitlyn arrived in Zirobwe. Now, with 2 weeks left of her trip, Caitlyn has committed to help further Faith’s education while also growing closer before she heads back to the States.
Child sponsorship gives you an opportunity to build a relationship with a child who, if it weren’t for you, would be left uneducated and not knowing Jesus. Throughout your time sponsoring, you will get to exchange letters with your child. It will become personal. You will get to rejoice when things are good and mourn when things aren’t. You will get to celebrate their birthday and Christmas with them, as if you are their care taker. This is the closest thing to adoption without them ever leaving their village.
Below I have added pictures of children of all different ages and class levels, who are in need of a sponsor. Those with *high priority* next to their information means their past sponsor has recently dropped them and EAC is doing their best to find a new sponsor for them so their school fees can be paid to further their education. If you are feeling led to commit to an incredible opportunity to help break the cycle of poverty in these kids’ lives and help them rise above their circumstances, please message me so Sandra and I can help further the process.
As they experience Christ, so will you. As they grow, so do you. As they are empowered, so are you. Together, we are changed.