Every child deserves to grow up in a loving home. We find it heartbreaking that in our community alone, there are more than 5,000 orphaned children living without the love and support needed to grow up to be independent adults in the community.

We hear stories about these children every day, and it pains us to see how much must be done to address their needs. But along with these heartbreaking stories, we also hear about children who overcome adversity to pursue their dreams.

Meet Vincent Ssenyonga

Vincent is a shy humble boy, who did not smile often then. Probably because the daily hardships were taking their toll on him and being just a child he did not know how to handle them, not that most of us do anyway.

Vincent was only Six years old when he lost his mother to HIV/AIDS that has claimed a great deal of lives and orphaned many children in Uganda. Fortunately, Vincent was taken in by his grandfather David (locally referred to as Jajja Daudi) with whom he stays with up-to-date. Vincent has never met his father and he barely knows how he looks like.

Jajja Daudi used to do any kind of jobs to earn a living and provide for his grandchild. As old as he is, he would work on coffee plantations, dig on farms and look after people’s cattle just to earn about $1 or less every day.

He fought so hard to see Vincent educated but he could not do anything beyond feeding him. Even with his efforts to make his grandchild happy it is not enough, since when a child grows also his needs increase. Clothing has to be provided, school fees, school requirements and much more yet he is just an old man.

We all need people; no man is an island that is why as BaNgaAfayo Initiative Uganda, we know that if someone comes up to sponsor these children life would be made easier for both the caretakers and the children themselves.

Proverbs 29:7 “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”

There was indeed someone for Vincent. From a list of over 100 children waiting for sponsorship, Vincent was selected by a very generous sponsor (Christine W) who has literally become his heaven sent mother. For $40 dollars every month, Vincent’s is able to attend school and his life has been made easier. How he is now cannot be compared to how we found him.

Why you should care

Proverbs 21:13. Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

While some people may know how significantly our work supports abandoned children and under-resourced communities, reading Vincent’s transformation story should help you better understand how our work transforms lives for the better.

We appreciate each and every individual who has donated to this cause, sponsored a child, supported us financially, spiritually or emotionally and in any other way, we pray that the Lord blesses you abundantly. It is because of people like you that these kids have a renewed hope and can live to see tomorrow.

We can do more together…