NOTE:
These pages are kept for archive purposes only, and are very out-of-date. For the latest version, see the current needs page.

Street Children of Mbarara Education Project

HOPE Partner: Holy Spirit and Fire Church, Mbarara. Uganda

Ps. Willy Tumwine and 3 children, Isaac, Rebekah and baby Favour.

HOPE has just forwarded $2000AUD to provide education for 48 street children and youth who are housed and cared for in crude facilities attached to the Holy Spirit and Fire Church pastored by Willy and Ann Tumwine.

Willy was a street kid himself for several years and now has a huge burden for these destitute children, some who are refugees of war and genocide survivors. When the children first come to the church, often they are covered in sores, dirty and accustomed to living like animals feeding on the town's garbage. They quickly respond to the love and care and adopt Ps. Willy as their own 'papa'. Several of the children are topping their class and have a bright future if we can keep schooling and medical care as a reality for them.

Currently the kids attend a local school for the normal fees, about $2000AUD a term for all 48 children. Many are too old to start in nursery school and the vision is to provide vocational training for them. The church has acquired a small block of land through a generous gift, but it needs to be sold to then purchase a 4 acre block where a project for care, counseling, medical treatment, vocational training, street kid and orphan accommodation and a new church can be developed. The project priority for first phase development would be:

Purchase the 4 acres from sale of small block
Purchase the adjoining 4 acres at cost - $15500AUD (for future hospital for orphans/AIDS widows)
Build dormitories for street kids, 2 at $10,000AUD each
Build classrooms at $8,000AUD each
Provide kitchen and latrines.
Get the children sponsored in our sponsorship program