Orphans Aid International supports children in Uganda

5 February 2015

Orphans Aid International celebrates a year of supporting vulnerable children in Uganda

Orphans Aid International is looking forward to celebrating a successful first year of supporting vulnerable children in Uganda when the Imuka project founders visit its Queenstown-based office in February.

Orphans Aid International CEO Sue Van Schreven says while multiple approaches are required to effectively meet the needs of children in adversity, the organisation’s response in Uganda is to find ways to support the extended family and community system to continue to care for its children so that they do not have to give them up.

“Quite simply, we don’t want to create orphans.”

Sue says a lot of support has come from the southern region, in particular Queenstown. “When the project was launched in March last year Canyon Swing fundraised $8500 towards food costs for the project. Then in June last year Orphans Aid International co-founder and Queenstown resident Carl van Schreven visited the project to see the work being done first-hand.”

Carl describes the visit as being a real eye opener. “It’s wonderful to know that our organisation is part of the solution.”

The Ugandan-based project founders, New Zealanders Peter and Danielle Gordon, say in the last year Imuka which means ‘rise up’ in Lugandan has prevented more than 100 vulnerable children from being orphaned or abandoned in Uganda by addressing the root issues that lead to children being placed in residential care.

“When families are first referred to us they are in a pretty desperate place. We have worked with people in terrible situations, from pregnant mothers asking what they must do to have their unborn babies enrolled into an orphanage, to being asked to adopt a healthy toddler being cared for by an under-resourced extended family. Mothers who put their children into orphanages only do it because they don’t see any alternative,” says Danielle.

“A year on we are seeing mothers, who never even thought they would be able to put their kids in school, now able to pay their school fees. In addition to this, single parents and grandmothers have been able to start businesses to provide for their families, while caregivers have been able to get the lifesaving medical treatment they need – preventing their children from becoming orphaned.”

Peter says the Imuka project includes a family strengthening programme and support services, such as counselling, emergency housing, medical and nutritional support, parenting support groups, a child development programme for 0-6 year olds, referrals to other service providers as well as access to business training, small business grants and savings groups.

“The project has received significant local support as it aligns with the Ugandan government’s alternative care initiative aimed at strengthening and preserving families. Originally we were working in villages on one peninsular with a population of over 10,000. Very quickly we were asked by local organisations to extend our reach to families in crisis in other nearby communities, so the area we cover is now much larger.”

Orphans Aid International will be hosting a breakfast to give local supporters a chance to meet Peter and Danielle on Wednesday 11 February from 7am at the Tin Goose café in Queenstown. To RSVP please contact admin@orphansaidinternational.org

ENDS

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