East Africa Trip Second Update

Uganda is beautiful, but it is full of contrast like all nations.

Over the past five days, we’ve been traveling to different parts of the country, visiting One Child Hope Centers.  We’re greeted by songs, cheers, laughter, and smiles each time we arrive.  In many ways, it almost feels like they’re greeting a celebrity.

So what’s all the fuss over a few Americans arriving? The answer lies in the name. We’ve come to bring hope to children in hard places.

A Hope Center is a church that has partnered with One Child to offer various child development programs, education, food, and clothing to children who otherwise would receive nothing. To fund these activities, One Child connects each child with a sponsor in America and around the developed world.

Child sponsoring has been around for a long time.

I remember attending concerts sponsored by Compassion International, which offered similar programs. However, One Child is different in one respect: They connect the child directly with their sponsor. So, let’s say you sponsor a child. How would you communicate with them? It’s as simple as downloading an app and sending a message to your sponsored child.

Behind the scenes, a team of personnel at the Hope Center works to ensure the child receives the message. It’s all quite remarkable.

Beyond One Child’s strategic advantage is a team of committed personnel dedicated to their mission. I’ve been so impressed with Bishop George, Dr. Jacob, Drake, Hilary, Donna, Stephen, and many others who have made helping children in hard places their life’s mission.

It’s not easy. There is much travel to difficult areas and sometimes dangerous places. Two different visits required a police escort to and from the location where we were visiting.

While I’ve never felt threatened, I was told that where we were was dangerous. The steel gates and walls surrounding our accommodation testify to that fact.

So far, the only danger I’ve faced has been being ravaged by mosquitoes inside the mosquito net. However, that was only one night in one specific location. During the rest of the time, I’ve experienced very few of those annoying pests.

My point here is this: Much work goes into providing hope for children who would otherwise face conditions like their parents. By investing in these children, the families have hope that life can incrementally improve. So, no wonder they greet us with cheers, songs, and joy. For the first time in their lives, they are experiencing hope.

As I wrapped up my time in the first leg of the trip, I can say that little by little Uganda has changed me.