In addition to Mozambique, Jason also visited Uganda this summer, and together we both visited Zambia. The needs of orphan children we have connections to were the primary focus of both of these trips. Here we share some of the highlights from that time.
Uganda
Before Jason and I reunited in South Africa to fly to Mozambique, Jason embarked on a solo adventure to the stunning landscapes of Uganda. You might recall our earlier updates about the Siloam Mountain Boarding School and Orphanage, which we began assisting earlier this year. This heartwarming place is home to 618 precious children of all ages and stands as the only Christian orphanage and school in the region.
Jason had the privilege of spending a week there, connecting with the school’s director, Derick, and getting a firsthand look at the school. His mission was to gain a better understanding of their needs and the challenges they currently face in meeting them. As their name suggests, they are located on a mountain, and Jason said the surrounding view was breathtaking!
He got to see these kids pour their heart out in song and gratitude to the Lord, witness some of the teenagers deliver short sermons, and watch the kids playing and having fun, including a friendly game of soccer. He also journeyed with them on a school trip where a large group of children from a certain grade level joined other children from the same grade level in the capital city of Kampala. It was a government required field trip that took the students on a tour of various industries in the area. They learned from workers within those industries about the work that they perform. The students took lots of notes and were later tested on what they learned.
Jason also had the chance to do a video interview with the school's director. We will be sharing that video and more about their challenges and their need to become more self-sustaining in future updates.
Zambia
For the past four years, we have been supporting two orphan sisters in central Zambia to ensure they could finish their secondary schooling (high school). Since Jason and I directly communicate with them and assess and administer their support, they have become daughters to us, separated only by the vast ocean and land between us. On this trip to Africa, we finally got to meet “our girls” in person as well as their loving aunt and uncle who care for them.
The girls attend government-run boarding schools far from their rural home, and we had the chance to tour both their schools. One of the girls is set to graduate at the end of October, while the other has two years to go. They both love the Lord and want to make a difference in the lives of others. We want to help them achieve that by supporting both girls in pursuing higher education.
During our visit, we gained a deeper understanding of their daily struggles. It’s always an eye-opener to experience someone’s challenges and limitations in that way, and in the rural parts of Africa, like where they live, the challenges are many. Experiencing their challenges firsthand fostered an even greater appreciation for the conveniences we have in the U.S., things that we Americans often take for granted.
For instance, one of the girls had a follow-up doctor’s appointment for a recurring health issue that she scheduled in-person months in advance. To go on her own, she would have had to stand for hours on the road waiting for an available taxi, followed by a 2-hour ride to the clinic located at a public hospital in the nation's capital. Instead, we took her to her appointment. When we arrived for her appointment, we found ourselves in a crowded facility with 75 or more people waiting in each clinic—literally standing room only—and overflowing into the walkways between them. We were told her wait would be 5 to 6 hours, despite her "appointment." As we walked with her through the facility, she pointed out a room where she had undergone a medical procedure for her condition a year earlier. It appeared unsanitary, and in some of the public areas of the hospital, there was a putrid smell that churned my stomach. This is their reality, and this free public hospital often lacks the necessary medications, supplies, and caring staff to adequately treat patients.
Aside from these challenges, we managed to create some unforgettable memories for the girls. We took them on a "safari" at a locally run game preserve that also has a baby elephant rehab, a thrilling adventure they had never experienced before. But the real magic happened at a playground. For the first time, the girls (age 17 & 20) and their two youngest cousins (between 4 and 7 years of age) got to ride swings, slide down slides, and bounce on a trampoline. Their laughter was infectious, especially when they got to ride a donkey! The youngest cousin was particularly enchanted by riding in a car, which she adorably called a “moto-car.” Seeing their pure joy over simple pleasures we take for granted was heartwarming.
We believe that God has bigger plans for us in Zambia, beyond just these two girls. Many girls in Zambia, especially orphans like these young ladies, face significant barriers to education. Boys are often given priority for schooling due to the costs involved—school fees, uniforms, supplies, and exam fees. So, if a family can only afford to send one child to school, it’s usually the boy. As a result, many girls are left without education, making them dependent on finding a husband who can provide for them, which often leads to teenage marriage and pregnancy.
Our connection to these precious young ladies happened in a way that only God can do. They had been out of school for a couple of years when we first began supporting them, but now, because of the help of our financial partners, these girls will get an opportunity to soar for Jesus. We eagerly anticipate the incredible plans God has for them and the future endeavors of Hope of a Nation in Zambia. The journey ahead is filled with promise, and we are excited to witness the transformative impact that lies ahead!
