Why We Serve

Uganda is a country of unparalleled beauty with people who immediately capture one’s heart. Despite overwhelming need, they usually smile and express gratitude for what they do have. They respect their ancestors, and they live each day for what it holds. Many do not have the resources to save for the future, so they value today.

Like in most countries in Africa, there were long years of colonial rule. When Uganda became independent from Britain in 1962, many years of instability followed as dictators held the country back from establishing meaningful structures in areas such as education and health care, as well as crippling economic development. Winston Churchill once referred to Uganda as “the Pearl of Africa”. However, in the wake of the regimes of Milton Obote and Idi Amin, Uganda now ranks near the bottom of any comparisons with other African nations. To this one would have to add times of tribal unrest, alternating droughts and floods in parts of the country, and the AIDS epidemic.

Recent reports show that the average Ugandan can expect to live to about age 50. One half of the population within the country is 15 years of age or younger. 2,300,000 children are orphaned. There are four (4) physicians per 100,000 population. Primary, government sponsored education reaches 7th grade. Most children do not go on to a secondary school as it costs more than their families could afford. The per capita income is approximately $320 per year. There is limited infrastructure with few paved roads and lack of electricity or running water in most parts (75%) of the country. Most children spend a significant part of the day carrying water from water sources that are often contaminated adding to the health care crisis within Uganda. Malaria is uncontrolled as there are few resources to help with vector control and most children do not sleep under mosquito nets.

For most of the people represented by Embrace Uganda, these were not things that we knew much about until our lives were touched by Ugandans who have come into our lives. A little girl’s story became the spark that ignited the hearts of people on the opposite side of the globe. Since the inception of Embrace Uganda over 100 people have traveled with us to Uganda to meet the children we serve. Many hundreds more have supported our work financially, with in kind donations, with logistics and in prayer. Read Jane’s Story if you would like to learn more about the way it all started.