Students in East Africa often find themselves caught in a dilemma where they have limited choices in the future of their education. Dreams remain dreams and career paths dissolve into family trades. This is most often due to a family’s financial circumstances but can also involve lack of encouragement or motivation. For these reasons students commonly drop out of school and rarely have the opportunity to return. However in some cases, hope is found when a sponsor enters a child’s life. One beautiful example is Ketty. She recalls the time when her family was struggling. “My sponsors came in at a time when I was badly off. I was in Senior 4. There were no school fees, my dad was sick, and all that. So they gave me hope where there was no hope.” She explains the timing was all a blessing from God saying, “Thank God my sponsors came to my rescue.” When she finished her secondary education, she was humbled and honored that her sponsors offered to support her through university sponsorship. Ketty is in awe of what she has achieved since those difficult days. Ketty is approaching the day of her graduation and will soon receive her degree in Adult Education from Makerere University in Uganda. Her dream is to help empower people as the manager of an animal farm. Following graduation she has big plans to realize this dream. She intends to begin volunteering for a position related to her chosen occupation in order to gain experience and be better prepared for her career. She giggles as she considers her future, “I am planning as I am learning about animals and people. I love helping people.” She believes that using her gifts and skills to manage a farm will be a productive way to help lots of people. As a child, Ketty remembers her dream job was to become a lawyer. “That was my dream. But all in all, I still see my current study leading me on the right path. It has made me who I am and it is taking me to where I want to be.” She knows the huge impact sponsorship has had on her life and expresses her gratitude and appreciation for the program. “My sponsors have helped me reach where I am. And where I had no hope, they gave me hope. Nothing has discouraged or prevented me from attending school since they started sponsoring me. Sponsorship has provided everything I need for university, so it has really helped me educationally and has also reduced stress factors.” She smiles in amazement at the provision given to her through sponsorship and looks forward to one day blessing another child in the same way. “The little I get, I will give out to another child who is like I was. This is the promise I made to God.” Ketty acknowledged the great need she sees in her village and similar communities. Her education has prepared her to initiate positive development in these places. “I hope my education will inspire more young people in our communities to bring positive change in our villages.” Ketty took the opportunity of an internship through her school and found it to be very interesting and resourceful in composing her future calling. “I was working in Northern Uganda with the local government and a social work association. It gave me the motivation because I saw all the people that really need help. It gave me more hope to help them. This will happen if I excel in my dream. That is my prayer – to help people.” With graduation this year, Ketty has high hopes for the days ahead. “I am really happy and my heart is really grateful. I know this is the effort I have worked for. I know that by graduating I will be inspired all the more. There is no way I can really express it. I cannot show it, but my heart can. I do not believe in a dim future. I believe in a bright one.” Ketty understands the importance of having dreams and goals and is striving to fulfill each one of them. “We have to dream big and that is what I’m aiming for.” Ketty has asked for prayer for her job after graduation. She wants to begin saving and gaining experience to lead into her career path. She would also appreciate prayer for her family and God’s grace and favor in their lives.

This past year, you helped make a tangible impact on the lives of two families in both Uganda and Kenya. These families were blessed with new and improved homes to call their own, helping each family improve their living conditions and provide for themselves on the land. Kato’s family has lived in Zirobwe, Uganda for over twenty years. Kato is a local manson who lives with his wife, Nalongo, and their 10 children. Kato and his family initially moved to Uganda when they were displaced from the 1986 war, but unfortunately were never able to reclaim their property, so they stayed in Zirobwe. Kato’s family was blessed with donations that helped them purchase a 2-acre piece of land for the family. Kato’s and his eldest son, George, who graduated from our sponsorship program with hands-on skills in building and carpentry had the skills to build their own home, but lacked funds for building materials. Since, they could barely afford school fees and could not afford to build a permanent home on their property, they continued to live in their mud hut that cracked bit by bit during each rainstorm. Thankfully, in 2018, donors joined together brick by brick, to build them a bigger, 3-bedroom permanent house for the family. Nalongo responded to her new home was, “I have always dreamed of having a place where my children will have space away from the chickens, and myself having private space. I will forever be grateful for the unconditional love, care and taking care of my children.” Celestine Auma’s family from Kenya, was also blessed with a new home. The Auma family has lived in the Kibera slum, the largest slum in Africa, for over a decade. Kibera is riddled with disease, drugs and despair, with little to no job opportunities. The father worked as a blacksmith but was unable to provide more than renting a shack of a room for his wife and children to share. The Auma’s owned land in the village but did not have enough funds to build a home. Through gift funds Celestine’s sponsor gave, the family was able to save and invest in building a permanent home. The Auma’s now have a home on their own land in the village. Building their home has empowered the family even more as it has allowed Celestine’s mother to farm on their land, harvesting crops to sustain the family and create some income and to save money as they no longer have to rent. The family is beyond grateful for their improved living conditions and quality of life. Your partnership has made a direct impact not only on these families, but also on other families in the village. Currently, people, like you are helping a grandmother and grandson build a new home so they too can transform their lives and have a safe place to live. Thank you for your generosity.

Mastula Namugambe is 14 year’s old and lives in Zirobwe, Uganda. She happens to be one of the first sponsored children who have just completed primary school from Empowered Leaders Academy. Today, she is full of joy and is glowing at the realization that her dreams of being a doctor have been reawakened after God blessed her with a sponsor about a year ago. Mastula describes her story from the days when she felt there was no hope in achieving her dreams, to a time where her hope was restored. “First and foremost, I want to thank God for enabling me to complete primary school well, safe, and sound. I also want to thank God for my heaven-sent sponsors, whom I dearly love and am grateful to; that’s Mr. and Mrs. Jane Hindle. I started primary school at Empowered Leaders Academy before Empower a Child purchased it. At the time, it was called Ebenezer Education Center. During my early school days, until I got a sponsor, life wasn’t easy for me with my studies and my parents too. I was always irregular in school because I lacked scholastic materials and school fees, which always kept me out of school. Never in my childhood life did I think or hope that I will even finish primary school. My story changed when I met one of Empower a Child’s volunteers, Porsche Dobinson, who happens to be a very close good friend of mine. I got to know Porsche after she picked interest in my little brother, whom she today sponsors, and after knowing what I was going through at home, she promised to get me a sponsor in 2013 and, indeed, it came to pass early this year when I was informed by the organization of how I had gotten a sponsor. That was the beginning of change in my life. I am more than happy that I receive gifts from my sponsors, school and life’s basic necessities, which have made an amazing difference in my life. My hope has been restored and my dreams reawakened. I am more than happy that I have finished primary school and I am looking forward to what God has in store for me as I press on harder to be the best throughout my education.” Empowered Leaders Academy has very good, loving, and caring teachers that we are proud of! It has now been a year since Empowered Leaders Academy was purchased by Empower a Child. The school is the first thing your eyes see when you drive towards the training center in Zirobwe. The school’s population has grown to approximately 450 children today, quite an increase from the previous 180 children who attended before Empower a Child took ownership. The increase in the number of students was a result of the organization’s assurance to elevate the community school into a role model institution that builds leaders after God’s heart. David Luwassa is a primary six student at Empowered Leaders Academy. He joined the school last year while it was still Ebenezer Education Center. David has been in the top position in his class for the first 2 terms of the year, a spot he has maintained since joining the school before it became Empowered Leaders Academy. He tells of how different his experience has been at Empowered Leaders Academy in comparison to the previous school. “There is a big difference between the two school that I’ve had the opportunity to study in. I might not mention everything, but I will share with you a few things from my observation.” The very first amazing difference Empowered Leaders Academy has brought to our community is being examined. Using well-printed examination papers that we write on, and well-marked [by teachers], then our papers are returned. The very first time I received a marked printed examination paper, I was overwhelmed with joy because it’s a morale-boosting factor to my performance. In the previous school, we were always instructed to take out pieces of paper from our books and write the questions from the black board as we answered them. It was a very old fashioned. That I never appreciated. Another humbling thing that desires me to come to school every day are our very loving and caring teachers. They act in a more professional way, they follow up on our performances regularly, and I attribute my good performance to their input, compared to the previous teachers who never used to care about students’ academics. I am proud of the fact that our teachers encourage us to speak and express ourselves in English always, which was something that never existed before. We are always reminded to understand that English is the language we will always use throughout our education, especially in examinations. It’s a language used in work places so it’s for the good of our performance and always endeavor to speak even when I am not very fluent. My experience with Empowered Leaders Academy is the good education we are being given, with well-dedicated teachers, is just good. My favorite experience is being able to play sports, especially soccer. We have ample space to play games, which was something we never had previously. I am so much looking forward to returning next year and enjoying more of the school. Since I will be sitting for my final year in primary school, I am more than confident and determined to be the best student in the district representing Empowered Leaders Academy."

On September 26th, Tonny Kasozi went to be with the Lord. He was surrounded by his family and received many words and photos of encouragement. He was maturing into an incredible man of God. We will never forget how Tonny touched so many lives and his legacy will live on. We are hopeful that God will use the testimony of Tonny, a sponsored child, to further God’s kingdom. Tonny Kasozi was born in 1998 in the village of Mitiyana, Uganda. His father died of Malaria when he was only two years old, leaving his mother with no source of income. Culturally in Uganda, recently widowed women in this financial state return to live with their childhood family. She left knowing that Tonny and his younger brother Kenneth, would be in good hands with their paternal grandmother and aunt to raise them. When Tonny was old enough to attend school, his grandmother struggled to pay for his school fees as Tonny’s grandfather had recently passed away. In 2007, Empower a Child was able to find a sponsor for Tonny to help keep him in school. The weight of worrying about where Tonny’s school fees were going to come from was lifted off of his grandmother’s shoulders. Tonny was a very smart, hardworking student. He was one of the top five students in his primary school and in his last year he scored 90% or above in all subjects of his Primary Leaving Exam. This is the final test every student in Uganda takes upon completion of primary school, equivalent to the last year of middle school in the U.S. Jennifer Kabeera, Development Coordinator of Empower a Child, recalls "I remember when Tonny was about 10 or 11, I went with one of our sponsorship mentors to do a home visit and see how he was doing in school. His grandmother mentioned how Tonny and his brother were very playful and it was difficult to get them to do their chores and studies after they got back from school. His mentor advised the boys they needed to take their studies seriously if they hoped to finish school and do something with their lives. This behavior didn’t reflect the student he eventually became.” “When I went back to Uganda for a visit this March, I was amazed at how much Tonny had grown, physically, academically, and spiritually. He had passed his primary final exams with straight A's and had a passion to do well in school with hopes of becoming a doctor. He also loved playing tag with our girls, Makayla and Abbie after he would get back from school.” Tonny’s best friend, cousin, and classmate, Edgar, has grown up with Tonny. He shared one of his favorite memories of their childhood. “The first memory that comes to mind was from when we were staying in the village over a school holiday. We were out adventuring and came upon a neighbor’s jackfruit tree, so we decided to have a snack.” Edgar continues, “Unfortunately, we got caught taking fruit from the tree and as a punishment the neighbor had us take all the ripe pieces of fruit from the tree and carry them to his home.” (Jackfruit is approximately twice the weight of a large watermelon) This year, Tonny entered his first year of secondary school (high school) in Kampala, Uganda. Wilson Kabeera, our Executive Director, remembers a conversation he had with Tonny in February. “Tonny came to me and said, ‘Uncle, if you let me come to study in Kampala, I promise I will study hard. I want to do something great when I graduate.’ Tonny and Edgar both showed great promise in school so we bought them out of the village setting into a city school.” Caragh Bennett, a mission volunteer, came to Uganda from April to July 2014 and treasures the simple memories she formed with Tonny. “For the three months I spent with Empower a Child, Tonny and his cousin Edgar were living at the guesthouse in Kampala. He became a younger brother to me. Tonny was so kind, so warm, he had the best smile ever and his laugh was infectious. I remember tickle fights in the lounge, endless card games when the power was out, and trips to buy sodas. He taught me Luganda and I helped him study for his tests at school.” It was in June earlier this year that Tonny began his second term of secondary school. He came back from school every afternoon feeling ill. He would go to bed right after school and not wake up until morning. His symptoms began to progress rapidly; high fever, loss of appetite, and a swelling abdomen. After having multiple tests at three different local health clinics in Kampala, with no relief in pain, and no clear diagnosis, Tonny was taken to an international hospital. After two more days of testing, a diagnosis from a bone marrow test came back. Cancer. Stage 4 Lymphoma. “It was July 2nd, when I got the phone call from Felix Kisa, one of our Sponsorship Field Coordinators. My stomach sank when I heard the diagnosis.” Wilson remembers. Caragh recalls, “I remember so clearly the night Tonny went to hospital. We all sat outside in the dark and prayed together. He was so brave, always so calm, always smiled through the pain.” Shannen Kennedy, our Communications Intern in Uganda remembers Tonny: “I did not know Tonny the way others had the opportunity to know him…I arrived in Uganda in late July and met Tonny once his cancer treatment had already begun. The Lord gave me the chance to love him and get to know him more than anyone I have ever known. Many nights I would sit in his hospital room in silence, partly because I had no translator, but mostly because the Lord was using Tonny to teach me how to love with an unconditional love - to sit and be quiet and to wait on the Lord.” Tonny was an incredible child of God and a huge encouragement to everyone around him. He had a smile that could light up a room and a sense of humor that would make you laugh until you cried. No matter the circumstance, he always found a reason to praise the Lord. The only possession he kept with him in the hospital was his Bible. He was always eager to share what God was revealing in his life. Not only did he impact those who were around him, but people all over the world knew Tonny and what he stood for too. Mary Ellen McCandless, Tonny’s sponsor says: “It was our honor to sponsor Tonny and he truly blessed our lives. In the letters we received, he spoke of how he was going to have a "bright future." I know he wanted to do so much more with his life, but he had no idea how many lives he would impact in his short 16 years. Tonny touched many lives, including ours.” Shannen remembers visiting Tonny the night before he passed away. “Edgar and I arrived in Tonny’s room at the hospital, it was not up to Western standards but it was the best possible room for him to be in. Tonny’s grandmother, mother, and aunt warmly greeted us. Tonny was sitting up on the bed, really struggling to breathe. The room was hot. When I locked my eyes on his, he gave me a half smile and put his hand out to greet me. I held his hand for a long time and just said ‘Hi Tonny’ to which he replied ‘Hi Shan’. He spoke between each big breathe of air and just simply said ‘I am weak.’ I just sat there with the family as they spoke in Lugandan. Edgar stood up at one point and I was able to pick out two phrases ‘Go buy with money’ and ‘he wants fresh milk’. When Edgar got back he sat next to Tonny, opened the bag of milk, put a straw in it, and helped him drink whenever he wanted it. I am so encouraged by Edgar, at only 15 years old, how mature and loving he was to his cousin. We sat there for a long time. Sometimes in silence, other times in laughter. At one point Tonny even made fun of the picture I put of myself on his wall… still ganging up on me even at the end of his sweet life. As we got up to say goodbye, I sat on the edge of his bed and held his hand while Edgar sat on the other side and we prayed. We prayed that he would continue to be a light to those around him and that he would always be reminded of the impact he is to all those people whose photos are on the poster hanging on his wall. (Earlier that week we delivered the collage of photos with people from all over the world holding signs saying “I <3 Tonny”) I prayed that God would spare Tonny from this pain and that he would be healed in Jesus’ name.” Early in the morning on September 26, 2014, God answered many prayers for Tonny. He ultimately healed him and took him home to heaven. The pain he suffered for the past 4 months was gone. “It's hard to understand why God called such a bright promising student home, but it's my prayer that Tonny's passing will not be in vain and be an inspiration for other students in our program to aspire to be doctors in their country with a passion to see an end to cancer related deaths in Africa." Jennifer states. “We had been praying for Tonny’s healing as a family ever since we heard of his diagnosis. When I told my 3-year old daughter Abbie, that Tonny was in heaven now, she looked at me and asked ‘Tonny feel better now?’. ‘Yes, Abbie. Tonny does feel better now.” No matter the circumstance, Tonny always chose joy and it was clearly evident that his life reflected Christ. Shannen states: “The scripture that always came to mind when I was with Tonny is the call of being salt and light to this earth. He often told me that he couldn’t wait to be used by God when he was feeling better. What he didn’t realize was that God was using him right where he was and in a big way. Tonny had a kind heart and was a perfect example of selflessness.” As we reflect on this young man’s life, let’s ask ourselves: how will people remember us? For you; will it be the things you accomplished, or how God used you in the midst of trials? How you responded? Let the Lord direct our steps and let us always be willing to be used for His glory. Tonny was thankful for all of your photos, prayers and words of encouragement. Thank you for your support during this time.

Let me introduce Samuel to you as he will be managing the sponsorship programme in Tanzania. His passion is to see children from his home village supported through their education. The Reverend Samuel Maduma was born on 16th September 1978 at Kijungu village in the Kiteto District in Manyara region, Tanzania. He is the third child of four in the family of Maduma. He has one brother called Moses and one Sister called Esther. The first born in the family was a sister called Lucia who died in 2009 with liver cancer. Samuel acquired Primary education at Kijungu Primary school from 1987 – 1993 and in 1994 he was chosen to join Kiteto Secondary School. In 1995, when he was in form two, his father died and life became even harder for the family; so Samuel was considering leaving the school because he was unable to pay the fees. Fortunately his uncle Michael helped him enabling him to complete his studies in 1997. During his schooling time his favorite subjects were social science subjects (History, sociology and civics). During his time at secondary school Samuel met Jesus and felt God was calling him to serve in the Church. Soon after he completed his secondary education he started to work in the Church as Youth Coordinator at St. Philip’s Parish in Kibaya. In 1999 Samuel was sent by the Church to Munguishi Bible College in Arusha to study Theology. In 2004 he completed his Theological Studies and returned to Kiteto to continue with the work of God. In 2005 he was ordained to be a Minister and made a tutor to train Evangelists and Pastors at Kiteto Christian College, under the Leadership of Bishop John Hayden in the Kiteto Diocese. In 2009 Samuel was appointed to Diocesan Secretary in the Anglican Diocese of Morogoro. He worked in this position for two years after which he went for further study at St. John’s University of Tanzania where he acquired Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Theology and Contemporary Issues. His current position is Principal of Morogoro Bible College, alongside studying for a Doctorate in Transformational Leadership. Samuel married Neema in 2007 and they have three children, Emmanuel, Victoria and Leah. Neema holds a Diploma in Childhood Development. Samuel’s passion is to see his community in Kijungu transformed. Because of his knowledge and experience of the poor social-economic conditions he witnessed in his family and his community, Samuel started initiatives bringing poverty down. He believes that is an achievable goal and has started partnership with Empower a Child in order to fight for social-economic betterment of the people of Kiteto and Tanzania in general. Please encourage Samuel and Neema by joining them in their initiative so that they are able to fulfill their dream of transforming this community for the glory of God. 

Victor Hugo, a French poet, once said, “To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.” For many years, there has been a significant deficit in reading skills of village children in Zirobwe, Uganda. This is partly due to lack of teacher trainers and partly due to not having reinforcement at home since many village parents do not know how to fluently read or speak English. Since English is the national language in Uganda, it is important that students are taught not only how to speak it, but also how to fluently read it. When volunteer, Natalie Puzuk, an elementary school teacher from Texas, traveled to Uganda and saw the huge need for reading skills in the village. She felt called to come back for 9 months in 2017 to volunteer specifically with Empowered Leader’s Academy, Empower a Child’s primary school, to help spark a love for learning and create opportunity to each child in her class. She partnered with the national teachers at Empowered Leaders' Academey to carve out time every day working specifically on children’s reading skills in each class. However, she quickly realized there was an even greater need than just reinforced reading in the classrooms. Some students were struggling more than others and needed one-on-one time with the teachers. In response to that need, she collaborated her resources and ideas with the management at the school and created a space for the children to have one-on-one reading lessons. The reading room was painted, remodeled with shelves and tables, and filled with reading materials to make a fun and appealing place for children to learn to read and to love to read. Teacher MiIly describes Natalie’s impact on the school, “The children have been very blessed to have her as she taught them all the reading skills that she had. She did not leave a single child behind and even went to the extent of having one-on-one time with children who struggled in class. As teachers too, we have benefitted from her skills as much as they were taught to the children. We also got an opportunity to learn a modern way of teaching.” However, Natalie didn’t just stop there. She also realized that there was a need for a pit latrine, also known as the restrooms, in the school since theirs was in need of repairs and renovation. Natalie was able to launch a campaign and raise funds to give the school new pit latrines for the boys and girls. The time Natalie spent in Uganda not only made a significant impact on the community of Zirobwe by strengthening and improving their education standards, but also on her. Natalie describes her trip, “Working alongside these teachers has taught me to put my trust in the Lord. The children are so eager to learn, even when they haven't eaten all day. Seeing them running to me saying, ‘Auntie Natalie, we want to read!’ made me feel so encouraged and wanted to do it more and more.” Thank you Natalie for your impact on the students and teachers at Empowered Leaders' Academy and thank you Armstrong Elementary School for your huge support to our children’s reading and hygiene standards. Empower a Child community will be forever grateful. If you would like to find out more how you can be apart of sparking a flame for education in Uganda and training teachers, email our Volunteer Coordinator here .

“Ever since I was young, I knew I had been drawn to African children,” said Lydia, “I started sponsoring a child at the age of 15 and since then I [have] loved Africa and the joy of the children just blesses my life. I believe every child has a story before they speak.”  Lydia Preusser is a recent high school graduate from Ohio who felt called to take some time off before attending college. She is currently devoting six months to the community of Zirobwe, Uganda. “It was so sweet and I have never, and will never, forget that day,” said Lydia as she was recalling the very first day she visited the village of Zirobwe. She said that 50 kids flooded the vehicle door as it opened. “I was surrounded by kids, hugging, screaming and smiling so beautifully. It felt like home away from home, even when I missed home.” Lydia recalled. Lydia arrived in Uganda last September. She arrived with concerns that many volunteers in her position have, missing the familiarity of home, her friends and family, fears of the language barriers and how she would communicate with the children. God faithfully led her to Jeremiah chapter one and she knew that He was going to give her the words to speak. However, “I learned that God never wanted me to speak,” said Lydia, “but instead, touch, love and share His joy with the kids.” During this time Lydia was spending with these children, her sister was praying for her. “Her prayer was that ‘I don’t choose them, [but] they get to choose you.’ I didn’t understand until I remembered this one girl who held my hand.” Lydia said. This little girl’s name is Edisa. She is nine years old and lives with her grandmother in Zirobwe. She chose Lydia. “By God’s grace, I singled out this one girl who was attracted to me and we began to do life together.” said Lydia, “I was a witness to her joy.” “My favorite time with her was two months ago when I got to purchase a mattress for her” said Lydia. She traveled to Edisa’s home with one of Empower a Child’s staff when Edisa was just recovering for malaria. Her grandmother was overjoyed with gift of a mattress. “It was at this point that I discovered that Edisa lost her parents to HIV/AIDS. That was the turning point in my life when I developed a deeper hunger to love her so much more.” “The one thing that will forever remain memorable was the day we were both strolling from her home back to Empower Community Church and as we talked, laughed, played, and were singing praises to God. She called me ‘Mama,’ that day.” Lydia was humbled and overwhelmed this little girl, who lost her both parents to a terrible disease, felt so connected and loved to call her that precious name. She added, “Until this day, she has never stopped calling me ‘Mama.’” Isn’t it wonderful how God does the same? In the midst of our loneliness, depravity and the like, He is still our father. God adopts us as orphans, but most of all, he chose us, and will never stop choosing us. We can pray, serve, and donate to causes, but until we see the need in a sweet child’s face, we are incomplete. We should be finding complete joy in restoring humanity and giving love to those who aren’t aware of it. “Edisa is one little girl in my life whom God has used to teach me to love without expecting anything in return,” said Lydia. “The Lord is faithful and if you don’t step out, you will miss out on experiencing a love you will never experience anywhere else.” In the same way, let us unconditionally love others the way God does, without expecting a return.

“Aching was the only thing I felt when I boarded my plane out of the Kenyatta Airport. I was leaving a place that shook me up and revealed truth to me. We are the one-percent. As an American I am frivolously living what many consider to be a luxurious lifestyle. I have clean water, clean clothes, and a roof over my head, a stable one at that.  “Every day in Kenya, we poured out our last strengths, physically and emotionally, until we were spent; and even then, we kept giving. I'm not saying this to say how great we were, or how humbling we can act, I'm saying this to confess a need. There are parts of Kenya that are starving, naked, and in need of a love from a Savior. “I am BEYOND thankful I stepped out of my comfort zone to see the world, the real world. Empower a Child does more than just send aid and service to those hurting, they seek to change a life cycle. Poverty has its way of continuing generations, and they are here to end it. God calls us to take care of the orphaned and the widowed, and there is no better way to do that than to go. “To love and be the hands and feet of Jesus is the best way to reach out. Love speaks volumes. Even more so, the love you will get in return from the beautiful people of Africa is even greater.”

Empower a Child's 6th Annual Medical Camp took place this summer in Zirobwe, Uganda. Through medical professionals, volunteers from Empower a Child, members in the community, and Empower a Child staff, over 1,800 people received free medical care while getting to hear about the love of Jesus, who is the ultimate healer both spiritually and physically.  For those of you wondering, the medical camp is an annual project whose purpose is to give FREE access to medical treatment to the people of Zirobwe sub-county and neighboring villages. The medical camp is geared towards meeting the holistic approach of Empower a Child to make sure the community is being served academically, spiritually, and physically. The three-day camp included the following medical services: dental, optical, general health, family planning, HIV testing and counselling, spiritual counselling and prayer. This summer's volunteers, ShyAnn and Kathy, tell their experience with Empower a Child's medical camp below. "This summer I was given the privilege to serve as our Lord’s hands and feet in a Ugandan community called Zirobwe. One of the events I was able to participate in while in Zirobwe was the Empower a Child medical camp. In these three days, we were able to see over a thousand patients, ranging from newborn babies to elderly patients with a variety of medical concerns. One specific memory I have from the Empower a Child medical camp was a young girl and her mother. The girl was about five years old and suffering from Malaria, a common disease in the Zirobwe community. Malaria is a disease that is very curable if treated properly, but if left untreated will take a person's life. The mother had told us that they had walked an hour to come to the camp to receive medical treatment. Immediately, the staff was able to treat the young girl. After treating the young child, her mother broke down in tears and prayed over us. She was eternally thankful for the services the Empower a Child was able to provide to her daughter. She told us that without the medical camp, she did not know how she was going to provide treatment to her daughter. This experience is one that I will always cherish in my heart. We were able to give medication to help heal this young girl of a disease that very well could have taken her life. A life that is so young, with so much potential to do great things in her community. A life that was saved because of the medical camp. Overall my experience with the Empower a Child medical camp was a fulfilling and heartwarming one. I was able to see God work in many ways throughout my trip, but seeing him work in the Zirobwe community through the medical camp was certainly the most rewarding experience of my trip." - ShyAnn "I had the privilege of going to Uganda and serving at Empower a Child with my two daughters and my daughter's friend. During our first week, we assisted with a three-day medical camp. During the medical camp, we provided services such as medical, optical, dental, family planning and blood testing. People came from the surrounding communities to get much-needed services that they would otherwise not have received. In total, we provided over 1,800 services in the three days! What I loved about the camp was the practical way it was meeting the needs of the people in Zirobwe. In addition to meeting physical needs, I loved that we had people there to meet and pray with those who were waiting to be seen by the doctors. It was not just about meeting the physical needs, although this is such a significant way to earn trust and to show God's love, but also about showing God's grace by being present to listen and meet the spiritual needs of the people. We felt very blessed to be a part of this initiative and pray that God moves in people's hearts because of the seeds planted." - Kathy We want to say a BIG thank you to ShyAnn, Kathy, and all the other volunteers and supporters who made it possible to put on this year's medical camp. Most importantly, praise God for modern medicine, volunteers, and His ultimate healing.