Gallatin Valley Non-Profit Profile Series
Uganda Orphans Fund: Building Homes and Futures from Bozeman
By Alison Grey, 12-13-07
The Gallatin Valley is home to over 200 non-profits. These organizations do not hinge on metropolitan amenities, and are often created to preserve wild places and stimulate communities of the West. As part of our New West economy, NewWest.Net/Bozeman is highlighting Gallatin Valley organizations in a weekly series.
There are an estimated two million HIV/Aids orphans in Uganda, with estimates that that number will grow to upwards of eight million in the next decade as more parents succumb to the disease.
Based on these staggering numbers, as well as a religious revelation, founder and chairman, Duncan Hill, created Uganda Orphans Fund in 1992, with a mission to rescue, nurture and love Uganda’s future leaders. Recognized as a non-profit ministry in the U.S. and as a Foreign NGO (non-government organization) in the Republic of Uganda, UOF has, thus far, built homes and community centers for orphans in 12 Ugandan districts.
With a 12 member, strictly volunteer, board in U.S., and a six member board and salaried employees in Uganda, UOF relies solely on donations and contributions to fund the construction of homes and pursue their mission of improving the lives of orphaned children. Hill expands on UOF and their efforts.
NewWest.Net: Why and how did your organization come into being?
UOF: As a Christian guy longing for more than just “religious churchianity,” I began to earnestly and specifically pray. In 1992, it became clear to me that I was made for a purpose over and above selling stocks to people and doing church on Sunday. I knew that only my Maker could reveal my destiny and so I sought Him regularly and passionately for several years. In a nutshell, clear revelation came my way in 2000 and began to narrow down as follows: a call to the poor, in Africa, specifically Uganda, then after a solo journey to that nation, Ugandan orphans.
After knowing my calling was to the poor in 2001, over the span of about two weeks, at least a dozen “Uganda” incidents occurred. For example, I visited a man’s office and on the wall was a photo of his Save the Children sponsored child: Jimmie from Uganda. Soon afterwards, I was at my son’s soccer game and one of the mom’s and I were chatting and she casually mentioned her sister was a missionary working in Kampala, Uganda. Right after that, I was in a buffet line in Spokane and next to me stood a tall, very black man. I asked him where he was from. He replied Uganda. When I returned home, we received a video in the mail about different places around the world that had experienced great revival. The most featured story was about Uganda during the Amin regime. This went on and on. I knew clearly from this continuous barrage of Uganda “coincidences” over such a short period of time that God was speaking to me clearly about where I was to go.
NewWest.Net: Why is this organization in Bozeman? What are the advantages and challenges of operating in this area? Are there other non-profits in this area that you partner with or would like to?
UOF: Uganda Orphans Fund is Bozeman-based simply because this is where I live. As to other non-profit partners, occasionally a local church has kicked in some funding. The Noon Rotary club has also been supportive. We are a Foreign NGO (non-government organization) recognized by the Republic of Uganda and we have a six member board there, all of which are actively in running the NGO.
NewWest.Net: Where are you directing your resources?
UOF: Over 93 percent of our donated resources go directly to the rescue, care and education of Ugandan orphans. We pay the salaries of several various caregivers, builders, teachers, night watchmen and cooks
employed by UOF in Uganda. Here in the states, we are 100 percent volunteer.
NewWest.Net: What is your annual operating budget, and can you please break that down between administrative and fund-raising versus program expenses?
UOF: Our operating budget is around $300,000 and climbs steadily. Seven percent is allocated for rent, phone, mailings, etc. The overwhelming balance of 93 percent goes directly to looking after the children in 12 of the 26 orphan homes we have built over the last five-and-a-half years. It costs about $20,000 to complete an orphan home for 50 to 60 children, including beds, latrine and a kitchen. We are presently involved with approximately 25 projects throughout Uganda.
NewWest.Net: How are you fulfilling your mission statement?
UOF: We are rescuing orphans, giving them shelter, security, love, medicine and an education. They are receiving hope and a future. We are diligently making sure that the donations with which we are entrusted reach the children and that none of it is misappropriated for any other purposes.
NewWest.Net: What is your most recent success story?
UOF: We are nearing the completion of a 250 child “village” with both primary and secondary schools on a 12 acre site, complete with a clinic, fertile farm ground and athletic fields. A staff of 25 looks after the children.
We are also selling necklaces that are made by a cooperative of HIV positive Ugandan widows that I have gotten to know. I pay them full retail for them in their currency and then bring them home with me, mark them up and sell them online and at various venues throughout the year. One can also buy them directly from our office on Main Street. All of the proceeds go directly to Uganda to help offset our burgeoning monthly expenses of feeding kids, medicine, clothes, school fees, salaries to staff, petrol, etc. Last year, we netted about $25,000 which paid for five months of expenses! We also sell Ugandan whole bean coffee, tribal drums (when available) and handcrafted baskets.
NewWest.Net: Thank you!
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I am happy to shave with you this years editor of our new letter.
It contains an outline and brief Description of how you contribution was used to improve the welfare of the New Generations Orphans Care and the Community, how they benefited and the significant changes made in the their lives during the year:
VISION
Looking forward to a society where all children are free healthy, empowered, their Right respected their voices out only heard but listened to, ideas accepted accorded full human digging and value regardless of coolers, sex, nationality, religion and physical ability.
MISSION
A world where all children live a life of dignity and building the lives of the children of New Generation orphans Care and community in a holistic manner to become self supporting future adults useful to their families and the community in which they live.
OBJECTIVES
- To improve the level and standard of PHC Education.
- To improve the level of orphans to live in the good life in the community.
- To improved the level of family economic sustainability and poverty reduction.
- To improved the level and standard of basic education.
- Promote observation of children’s rights in the context of UNCRC and the African charter.
- To do any other future plan for the family and community protection
- To improve the level of the Girl child education.
PROJECT CONTRIBUTIONS DURING THE YEAR (NEED)
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (PHC)
- The project focused mainly on programmer which targeted reduction in the level malnutrition, infant and under 6 year child nutrition education home personal and community hygiene education, HIV/AIDS awareness. Malaria awareness, orphans awareness, and control campaigns.
- Malnutrition, HIV/AIDS and malaria has been the leading causes of death among children aged 6 year and below in the area.
FOOD SECURITY
- The project supported introduction of animal traction technology as a means of improving of the farm lab our to reduce exploration of women and children in food production by men these are need 70 pairs of oxen and 35 ox-plough were need to see enrolled families. The formed 35 family groups of 10 members each to enable them share this service as a group.
EDUCATION
Fees and Tuition
- 300 children were the need supported to attend basic education.
- 30 children enrolled in secondary education 500 in primary and 76 in pre-school.
- Four ECD centers were established to support 2-5 year old child in their early childhood development (i.e. for stimulation of learning and cognitive development).
NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL
Parents were we need support to open new community primary school at Ayegero, Apac Sub-county, Anwanga, Naubieso Sub-county, Akalo, Akalo Sub-county and Chegere, Chegere Sub-county the vision of these school to improve the level of education in the community the number of girl child education and children here only loved fishing other than going to school 35% of the children of this area where our of school, in the mission of the New Generation Orphans Care is that about 450 children is going and joined this school during the year of 2008 and the targeted of these children is girls.
CHILD ADVOCACY
The project need to supported the training of 140 teachers for the plan were the new school community was been open like Ayegero, Anwangi, Akalo and Chegere a project need to supported a school neighboring primary school in (Nambieso, Abongomola, Akalo, Bala, Inomo, Chegere, Apac Town Council and Ibuje) these Sub-county.
They were been trained on: -
- Child to child approach UK
- Mediated learning experience (MLE)
- Basic Communication Skills (BCS) why to improve
- Teacher-pupil interactions and communication, in order to create a better learning environment.
ABOUT SPONSOR RELATION
New Generation Orphans Care (NGOC) we need your help to improve the vision and mission to the children and family in the community.
Because we looking in the humble spirit you has come and let are sponsor to providing a better life to children and family in the community.
THE CHANGES NOTED
- Reduction in the burden of farm lab our on women and children because of using annual traction technology.
- Increase in level of food production
- Reduction in the level of malnutrition
- Children being allowed to participate in community meetings and decision making.
- Increase in school enrolment by 65% children
- Reduction of the HIV/AIDS in the community
- Training of the Orphans, Grant mother, people living with HIV/AIDS and women to love a good life in the community
- Building the NGOC office in Ayat trading centre.
- Low number of sponsors without whom the project can not where its goals.
- Low levels of income among enrolled families to meet children basic needs.
- Serve draught affecting crop yield and food production
- Inadequate access to safe water
- Long distance to school for some children especially those coming from the fishing villages.
- The high rate of HIV/AIDS infection
- The number of orphans’ life as the infection and sickness, requires more support.
FUTURE PLAN
- Open new nursery primary community school about( 6 )
- Increase access to animal traction technology all enrolled families.
- Giving food to the children in school
- Improve access to quality education for all children.
- Strengthen primary health care facilities to reduce prevalence of preventable diseases and HIV/AIDS.
- Improve core and support for orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC) as well as children affected and or living with HIV/AIDS
- Lobby funding to improve access to safe water and other services preferably a double cabin, pick-up, van, treks and motorcycle
CONCLUSION
The project skill faces a great task of addressing the most urgent needs of children which includes the needs to: -
- Promote their education
- Fight HIV.AIDS
- Reduce malnutrition
- Fight poverty
- Stop child abuse and neglect
- Strengthen family care and protection
We shall need your support in providing a better life, environment, bright future and a world fit for children and orphans. May God Bless you fro your very humble contribution to this end.
Thank you,
Yours Faithfully,
Justine “A” “M” Bua
Project coordinator.
We are now in the process of constructing the home and school for orphans but we have financial difficulties.
We therefore asking for your assistence, financial, material or otherwise.