Hope for Street Children in Kampala, Uganda

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Luke 18:16).  What hinders children from coming to Jesus?  When I was in Uganda a few weeks ago I saw a variety of hindrances blocking the way to Jesus: poverty, abandonment, exploitation, sickness, hunger, bullies, and fear to name a few.  It broke my heart to walk through the slums of Kampala and see children and adults sleeping in the dirt, curled-up and exposed (see the previous post).  Yet in this squalid poverty I saw glimmers of hope, an oasis of Living Water.

Raising Up Hope Uganda (RUHU) is an oasis in a dry and weary place.  It's young founder, Patrick, said to me as we walked through the slum, "I used to live here; this was my home."  Patrick was street kid, orphaned and left to care for his sister in the dangerous slums of Kampala.  Through his difficult circumstances he found his calling: to care for children abandoned in the slums and to help them find hope in Jesus.  RUHU encourages children to walk a different path that can lead them out of the slums and into a better life.  One strength of RUHU's model is its strategy.  Children in the slums who want help are gradually transitioned to a life of order and discipline and love in a half-way house located in the slum. After a time of adjustment and positive behavior the children then move to an orphanage outside the slums.  It's challenging work, time consuming and costly but so worth it.  These are God's kids.  He ransomed them in Christ.  RUHU is helping children come to Jesus and find hope.  RUHU is used of God to rescue abandoned and orphaned children.  Please visit RUHU's web site to learn more about them and how you can invest in these precious children ~ diamonds in the dust of Kampala.

The children at the RUHU school gave Richard and me a very warm and enthusiastic welcome.

Children at a RUHU school line up for a snack.

These children are enjoying their school snack and drink.

I am telling the children a story about my Hero ~ Jesus! William is translating for me. Notice how nice this school is - the buildings, the school uniforms, the order and cleanliness.  So much different than the slums (see previous post).  

Richard Rohde, HOLD the children Director, delivered dresses hand sewn by a ladies group from Emmanuel Baptist Church, Johnstown PA. The girls were so happy to receive their colorful dresses.

Richard and I kneel so that the children can pray over us.  We welcomed this blessing and show of love by these dear children.  God bless RUHU for the hope and opportunity it provides these little ones.   

Raising Up Hope Uganda ~ Ministry to Children of the Slums

Few things impact my heart more than seeing abandoned children living in poverty in a slum. My heart was crushed after visiting the slums of Kampala, Uganda in October, 2015.

Children of the slums of Kampala.

Truth Connect was in Africa for a Leadership Training Conference (LTC) in Kenya (see previous posts).  When the LTC was completed, Richard Rohde and I traveled to Kampala, Uganda to visit a ministry that specifically serves abandoned children living in the slums of Kampala.  I learned about Raising Up Hope Uganda (RUHU) last year when its young founder was visiting friends in the USA. I met Patrick Ssenyonjo at the home of friends from our local church who hosted a small gathering to allow Patrick the opportunity to tell his story.  What a powerful story it was.  Patrick himself was an abandoned child of the slums who began to care for other children in the slums.  I was so impressed with Patrick that I immediately texted my colleague, Richard Rohde, who is the director of HOLD the children saying, "You must meet Patrick." The next morning we met at Panera and Patrick again shared his story.  That meeting prompted our visit to Kampala, Uganda to see what Patrick and RUHU was doing.

Here I am with William (left) and Patrick. They came for Richard and me to begin our tour of Kampala and the work of RUHU.

William Bukenya is Patrick's partner at RUHU.  William is a university trained accountant who takes care of RUHU's books as well as ministering to the children.  They make a great team and run a compassionate and efficient organization.

Our first stop was the slums Kampala.  When we got out of our vehicle we were surrounded by a variety of adults and children; most were filthy dirty but very friendly.  Patrick said, "This is where I used to live."  And it showed as many of the people knew Patrick.  He was one of their own who made it out and came back to help.  It was obvious that Patrick was loved and respected.  As we walked through nearly a mile of slum businesses and dwellings a crowd of children followed us and wanted to hold our hands and talk.  To me they looked like precious diamonds in the dirt.  Oddly, I saw many of the children holding clear plastic water bottles to their mouths and inhaling, not drinking. I learned that the bottles contained kerosene and the children were getting high from the fumes, a coping mechanism.  Sadly, many of the children I saw that day were in a stupor with glazed eyes and under the influence of petroleum.

In the slum many of the children wanted to be friends and talk.
Patrick said, "This is where I used to live."

These boys aren't drinking water, they are inhaling kerosene fumes and under its influence.

William is speaking to the boys at RUHU's transition house in the slums. If the boys stay and learn to live here for a year, they can then move to one of the other schools operated by RUHU.  

Patrick said to me, "Talk to the boys."  So I told them stories of how powerful Jesus is and that He loves them and wants to help them right now.  I then led the boys in the sinner's prayer asking for forgiveness of sins and inviting Jesus Christ to be their Savior and present Help.  God knows their hearts and loves them dearly.

The boys received what was for some, their only meal of the day.

Richard serving the boys their meals.

I laid my hands on the boys and prayed for them in Jesus name.

Patrick bandaging a boy's hurt arm outside the transition house.  Richard looks on with the transition house parent. 

There is more to this story.  In the next post I'll share where the children go when they transition out of the slum.  It is truly an amazing story.  You can learn more about RUHU by visiting their web site at http://www.raisinguphopeforuganda.org.