BORN LIKE OTHERS – UGANDA

ORPHAN CRISIS IN UGANDA

Life is extremely difficult for children who have been orphaned in Uganda. Part of Sub Saharan Africa, Uganda shares the issues that all of the other countries in that region face. In addition to extreme poverty and high incidences of malaria and AIDS, there is the ever-looming history of conflict in this part of Africa. The country has experienced hardship in the past as thousands of children left their families to avoid abduction and recruitment into the Lord’s Resistance Army, acquiring for themselves the title of “Night Commuters.”  Despite Uganda’s history and extreme improvements over the years, Uganda still faces an orphan crisis. There is still an estimated 3.5 million children in Uganda who were orphaned due to either AIDS or violence. These children, at no fault of their own, face discrimination and are often marginalized because of the culture’s stigma that blames AIDS orphans of committing witchcraft or sorcery. Many live in extreme poverty, and as a result, many children are abandoned or are forced to work. Orphaned and abandoned children are extremely vulnerable to dangers such as trafficking, child labor, and abuse. These children rely on homes such as Born Like Others for immediate relief from the harsh realities they would otherwise face.

BORN LIKE OTHERS

Founded in 2011 by 19-year-old Ugandan Robert Twinomujun, Born Like Others is a program that cares for some of Uganda’s most vulnerable children and youth. It’s registered under the name  “Let’s Serve Christ Ministries,” a nonprofit Non-Governmental organization. Today, Robert runs the organization with a supportive team and Board to ensure the best quality of care for all of the children served by the home.

Born Like Others currently provides for the needs of over 40 children at their full-time residential home. This program also assists with school fees, school supplies, and clothing for an increasing number of needy children within the community.

Born Like Others takes on a holistic approach in their care for the children, including housing, food, clothes, education, medical care, and socialization to help them become well-balanced community members. A core belief within their organization is that holistic care goes beyond providing for our children’s basic needs. They aim to empower their children and build their confidence by helping them discover what they enjoy, whether singing, dancing, or painting. The staff and volunteers support these skills,  especially during the holiday programs and outings.

Serving Orphans Worldwide travels to every orphanage we partner with to ensure needs are legitimate and 100% of funds distributed goes to the livelihood of the children.

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