His Hope Uganda

‘His Hope Uganda’ began with nine children and a Canadian Christian with a desire to make a difference in the lives of Ugandans in 2007.

Out of that simple beginning has grown an organization that now sponsors 102 children in schools in the Jinja District and provides support through a number of initiatives to the families of the sponsored children.

HHU is an official ministry of Cranbrook Alliance Church in Cranbrook, BC, Canada and is registered in Uganda as both a Non Government Organization (#8225) and a Community Based Organization (#261).  It is also certified under the BC Society Act (#S-56288).

The ministry is managed by Kimiko Toyota, a volunteer of the Cranbrook church, and now employs three Ugandan nationals on a full-time basis working out of a home in Wanyange, Uganda, a village to the east of Jinja.

The central initiative of HHU is to organize sponsorship of children in schools.  Children are selected through a process of application and visitation, with their selection based on the needs of the families.  Sponsorship includes covering fees for tuition, school uniforms, shoes and socks, and a long list of supplies ranging from brooms to soap and toilet tissue.  It also covers medication as needed for each individual.

Since May of 2009, the ministry has branched into a number of other opportunities to support impoverished families.  Sixteeen small loans have been granted to family members who have provided plans for opening a variety of businesses including the sales of charcoal and fish.  Two chicken coops have been built and stocked with heater and feed to house chicks.

Ten of the mothers of sponsored children are being trained in tailoring by two who were hired by HHU.  They will soon be establishing their own businesses, using the Singer machines and supplies provided through HHU funds.

Four homes have also been built to replace structures that were suffering through excessive mold, rats, leaks and a host of insects.  The first of the 2-room dirt floor homes was entirely paid through funds from recycling cans and bottles collected in Cranbrook through the summer ($700 Canadian).  As of September 2010, over $4000 has been raised in recycling funds for use in building new homes.

Funds have also been used to construct three toilet and bathing facilities with metal roofs, brick walls and concrete floors.  These are in great need to improve local sanitation and provide privacy and dignity to our Ugandan families.  Cost of each is about $380.

Since its first year of operation, HHU paid for the medical treatment of over 350 students and their family members.  Malaria was most commonly treated, but other medical problems included hydrocephalus, typhoid, syphilis, sickle cell anemia, rabies, cirumcision complications and eye problems.

Tearing Down the Old