Lenten Appeal – Business Boosts for Widows and Struggling Families

Tragedy and adversity hit Ugandans hard. With the economy in a rough place because of years of bad government policies, election violence, and changing climate conditions Ugandans resilience has been eroded. Layer another adverse event and it makes it nearly impossible to recover. Through our business grants we help families recover and start earning again. We give them renewed hope!

In Uganda, they call it being FLAT when your savings are drained, your ability to borrow from family and friends exhausted, and accessing micro loans is complicated. At times such as these we step in with small one-time business grants to help the families take another step forward. Amounts range from $100-$250 dollars. To-date we have given grants to buy an array of items: a bicycle for transporting inventory and reducing transportation costs that eat profits on tight margins, carpentry tools to start one’s own shop, a sewing machine to kick-start making and repairing clothes, a cooking stove or kitchen equipment, or simply inventory to begin a cafe afresh or boost a shop. Would you give today to help a single mother or father after death or abandonment? Or family dealing with a health crises? Or young people simply needing a place to start because the unemployment rate is so high? $150 buys a bicycle; $100-$150 helps with inventory; $200-$250 buys needed speciality equipment Give today!

Ritah lost her husband in January of 2025 to an unexpected death from lung complications. She is now trying to support three young children alone on a teacher’s salary and a side mobile money agent business. Her husband Joseph had a thriving carpentry business earning $250/month. Now he and his income are just gone. Grief and life are overwhelming. We are trying to recover at least 6 months of income that she can invest into her business. Would you help a widow? Give today!

Anna’s finance left her in the aftermath of the pandemic with one young son. She has started a wellness shop providing healthy remedies, food, and medicines for people in her village on the outskirts of Kampala. We helped her purchase a bicycle and hope to help boost her inventory soon. Would you help a single mother? Give today!

Walter’s parents died a long time back. He recently finished a 1-year long apprenticeship that he paid for himself to learn carpentry. However without tools he was left to wait for someone else to hire him for work, which was far and few between. With a small business grant from us he was able to purchase the basic set of carpentry tools and begin to make and sell his own beautiful furniture. With reliable income they have been eating better and his wife was able to conceive again. They just welcomed their 2nd child into the family. Could you help a father? Give today!

Anthony & Stella in their 30s were recently married. He has 2 children from a previous relationship that didn’t workout as originally hoped. They both have previous experience in restaurant work. She got the opportunity to takeover a friend’s local cafe with a great deal. They just needed some capital to buy the first round of food supplies. With this small boost of funds of $150 they could get to work immediately and pay the previous owner slowly overtime. Could you help a newly wed couple? Give today!

George works for the Catholic Church at the Cathedral in Kampala. He only earns $85 per month. He and his wife Catherine engage in agricultural business activities growing maize, bananas, coffee and raising animals to supplement their income. With four children school fees and other costs are now far beyond what he can manage on such a small income. Catherine also started a juicing business. We hope to give them a grant to buy a commercial juicer and related equipment to increase her productivity and customer base. While he leads on branding, marketing and sales. Might you help this family take the next step? Give today!

Dorothy (pseudo name) was walking to the market during 2020 when she was violently gang raped. She became pregnant and was unable to return to high school when the schools finally did re-open. She tried to commit suicide when a stranger found her. We stepped in so she could take a vocational course in sewing, while her Aunt took care of the child. Upon graduation we provided her with the gift of a sewing machine and all the accessories to kick-start her seamstress business. We helped God create something wonderful out of a terrible injustice. Could you help another young unwed mother finish vocational training? Give today!

Joseph has two daughters. The youngest has spina bifida, which in the US is now addressed while the child is still in the womb. In Uganda it took months for them to work out the diagnosis. She is now 8 years old. Her grandmother helps manage her care because her mother was overwhelmed when she was a baby and couldn’t handle it anymore. She left and has yet to return. Joseph also takes care of his deceased brother’s son. With aging parents too, healthcare challenges are constantly bringing the family down. We have provided both health aid, scholarships, and a business grant to get his agricultural activities–mainly growing crops reignited. This feeds the family and if possible they sell to others. More funds for inputs means more returns for his labor. Could you help a single father build his income for the family? Give today!

Would you make a donation today to help a family in a tough spot to renew their hope and press on with their life journey? Give today!

Lenten Alms Giving – Bunk Beds & Mattresses

St Joseph College Needs Triple Decker Bunk Beds

Thanks to the great renovations that we helped completed last year to the primary classroom block at St Joseph College the high school has attracted more students. They have 30 new Senior 1 (freshman) students who came with their mattresses but are currently sleeping on the floor in the dormitory.  They live too far away to be day students, so take advantage of boarding with the school.  

We are seeking $1,000 to buy 10 triple decker beds like the ones in the photo.  Will you help these 30 new students get a good night sleep so they can study well? Their presence helps with the financial stability and sustainability of the school too.

Will you contribute $100 for one bed for 3 students? Or $500 for five beds for 15 students?

YOUFRA Youth Centre Lira Needs Mattresses & Bedding

We are seeking an additional $500 to help 8 more needy children to join the YOUFRA Youth Centre education program. They are the children of former war abductees sitting at home not going to school at all because their parents can’t provide basic requirements of uniform, back packs, school materials, mattresses, sheets and blankets.  Will you help us buy 8 mattresses, 8 set of sheets, 8 blankets and school supplies for 8 more children?

Emma in photo below is happily making his bed after the beds were repainted this January. Help us put mattresses and children in the empty beds!

Thank you for your generous Lenten gift!