Uganda, located in East-Central Africa, gained its independence from Great Britain in 1962. It has been known as the “Pearl of Africa” because much of its land is fertile and well watered. It has a climate that is temperate in the highlands and hot and tropical in the lowlands. Uganda’s history has included several violent conflicts, including an eight-year long, violent military dictatorship and several wars and civil wars. Uganda has also been hit hard by the AIDS epidemic, which has left many children orphaned and very few that have or live with both of their parents. Many families in Uganda, especially those that live in the rural areas of the country, are very poor and have a hard time providing for their children.

Upendo, the Children of Promise sponsorship program in Uganda, began in 1995. Upendo is the Swahili word for “love.” The founder and current director of the program, missionary Rev. Colleen Stevenson, and the staff and volunteers in the churches of Uganda help meet the needs of more than 800 sponsored children each year. The sponsored children live in 16 different areas throughout Uganda. The churches in each area help children learn about Jesus as they grow and are discipled in loving communities. 

Your sponsorship helps bring nutrition, education, health care, discipleship, and wholeness to a child in Uganda.