Meet Sharon and Gloria, the newest students of Wells of Hope Academy in Kampala, Uganda. These precious sisters have stolen my heart and with your help we have been able to bring hope into their lives. I first heard about the organization Wells of Hope just a few months ago. I connected with Francis Ssuubi, founder of Wells of Hope, through a missionary friend of mine named Teresa Kemp who does prison ministry around the world (check out her ministry at www.breakingchainsint.org). I was intrigued by what Wells of Hope is doing for children of prisoners in Uganda. Since I will be based in Kampala, Uganda, very soon with KidZ At Heart International, I wanted to see how I could help in the lives of children close by and meet them one day soon.
Sharon and Gloria come from Northern Uganda, west of the Nile River, in a village called Etori in the district of Arua. This is about a 7 hour drive from Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Sharon is 6 years old and Gloria is 15 years old. They come from a family of seven children from different mothers but the same father. Their father has been serving in prison for a long time. When their mothers remarried they were abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Gloria had to drop out of school two years ago to look after her youngest sister Connie who was 6 months old at the time. Gloria also looked after her sisters Sharon and Judy. Their grandmother was sick so couldn't help them. Life at home was very difficult for Gloria and her sisters. They would have one meal a day and some days they would have to go without food.
Francis Ssuubi of Wells of Hope learned about Gloria and her sisters and saw the need to help. He spoke with her uncle and grandmother and convinced them of the importance of continued schooling. In African culture most families believe that a 15 year old like Gloria doesn't deserve to go to school. They believe that she should be married off and only do house chores. Francis worked very hard getting Gloria and her sister Sharon to Wells of Hope Academy (their sisters Connie and Judy remain with their grandmother and aunt who will look after them the best they can). Gloria and Sharon were overjoyed when Wells of Hope came to their village to help them. Since being at school, Gloria and Sharon were even able to visit her father in prison. It was a joyous occasion for all involved! I'm told that Gloria wants to be a teacher and can write/speak some English and Sharon wants to be a policewoman and is very active. With your help we were able to transport them from the poverty they faced in their village to Wells of Hope Academy in Kampala. We bought them suitcases, clothes, mattresses, bedsheets, blankets, and books. They are thriving now and I praise God for this!! In addition to Wells of Hope Academy, Wells of Hope also helps over 120 children with school fees, they have an HIV/AIDS Prisoners Support Project, offer counseling to children of prisoners, and they have a children's choir.
Be sure to check out their website at: www.wellsofhope.org
So what's new on my horizon?
In just 2 weeks I leave for Africa to work as the Africa MobiliZer for KidZ At Heart International!! www.kidzatheart.org I will be helping equip children's ministry leaders throughout Africa so they can reach and teach kids just like Gloria and Sharon for Christ :)
Will you help partner into this amazing ministry? I'm still in need of $500 more in monthly support and up to $10,000 in up-front expenses due to the cost of living/vehicle cost in Kampala being higher and traveling more throughout the continent with KidZ At Heart.
To Donate Online:http://www.worldoutreach.org/donations Select my Name. The system can process USA & International cards. You can also set up automatic Monthly Gifts if you choose the "Monthly" option.
Or Mail Checks to:
World Outreach Ministries, P.O. Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 (Designate for Routzahn, Fund Code #91)
May God bless your giving and bring you abundant joy knowing you are making a huge difference in the lives of African children!
