Eeek! We're working really hard to complete our new and improved website experience for you. There are some missing pages, and I'm sure some mistakes. Have patience with us! Sign up for emails below to be notified when we're done!
Our story begins and ends with serving the children.
THE STORY OF OUR ORGANIZATION:
A COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN'S WELFARE
Our journey has always been focused on serving children. In 2010, as part of North Greenville University's Master of Christian Ministry program, Kathie Burgess joined a mission trip to Uganda led by Professor Larry McDonald. She discovered that the country had 2.5 million orphans due to the Lord’s Resistance Army and malaria. The Lord’s Resistance Army, known for its atrocities, training child soldiers, and terrorizing the country, was expelled from Uganda in 2008. Malaria also contributed significantly to the orphan crisis. Kathie felt compelled to help these children.
Dr. Michael Okwakol, a resident of Koreng, Uganda, was the host for the NGU team and a friend of Dr. McDonald. Together, Kathie and Dr. Okwakol developed a partnership, and the Hands of Kindness Children’s Ministry was formed.
Together, they shared a vision: to create a supportive and nurturing environment for children in need. Inspired by the belief that every child deserves a chance to thrive, with a mission to provide essential services, education, and opportunities for growth.
After much discussion, the first step was to address the need for child sponsorship. Though there are other much larger child sponsorship organizations, none of them were reaching out into the communities of Koreng, Uganda. Our organization stands in that gap to impact lives in Uganda. Since that first vision of impacting children’s lives began several years ago, our focus has remained on those same children. However, our opportunities continue to expand as a result of the amazing team members that have served in these communities with us.
We are still committed to that first vision of child sponsorship, we are seeing so much more than that accomplished today. Through medical and vision clinics, construction projects, providing food for the children, pastor training, and outreach into the communities, we are experiencing a real blessing in the growth of Hands of Kindness Children’s Ministry.
EARLY DAYS & FOUNDING PRINCIPLES
Our nonprofit organization seeks to share the love of Jesus Christ and is dedicated to supporting orphans and underprivileged children in Uganda. Children are at the heart of our community, and from the very beginning, we have focused on addressing the immediate needs of vulnerable children through a child sponsorship program. While there are larger child sponsorship organizations, none are currently reaching out to the communities of Koreng and Apac in Uganda. Our organization aims to fill that gap and positively impact lives in Uganda. Sponsors supply food, clothing, and education for children in Uganda. Beyond these basics, our mission is to empower children to reach their potential and end poverty.
EXPANDING OUR REACH
As our organization grew, we expanded programs and initiatives. We built a dormitory for 112 children, cared for by Mrs. Cossy Okwakol. We partnered with local schools and healthcare providers to support the children and their families holistically, focusing on immediate needs and long-term development. Since our vision began years ago, we've remained focused on these children. Our opportunities have grown thanks to our dedicated team members serving in these communities.
We remain dedicated to the initial vision of child sponsorship and have achieved much more over time. During our annual mission trips, we offer children's programs, medical care, vision screenings and glasses, construction projects, and a conference for local pastors. These efforts include medical and vision clinics, construction projects, providing food for children, and community outreach. During our 2019 mission trip, we saw the need for a medical center and started fundraising to build it.
MILESTONE & ACHIEVEMENTS
In 2023, our mission trip to Uganda inaugurated the Hands of Kindness Medical Center, providing continuous medical care for Koreng and nearby areas. The center is fully staffed and equipped with necessary supplies. We’ve seen significant growth in the initiative and attribute our achievements to God. Our next goal is to establish a surgery center for Koreng and its neighboring communities.
OUR ONGOING COMMITMENT
Our commitment to children's welfare is unwavering. We adapt our programs to meet their evolving needs and take pride in our impact, though much work remains. In 2018, we completed a dormitory for 112 children. Our next goal was to build a medical center. In 2023, during our mission trip to Koreng, we dedicated the newly constructed and fully equipped medical center, serving Koreng and nearby communities. Our mission continues, and we are dedicated for years to come.
LOOKING AHEAD
We are dedicated to expanding our impact, forming new partnerships, and innovating to serve children and families. We believe every child deserves a hopeful future and will work tirelessly to achieve it. Our next goal is to build a surgery center for this community. We give God all the praise for the significant achievements that have been made in Koreng, Uganda.
JOIN US IN OUR MISSION
Join our mission to support and empower children. Whether you volunteer, donate, or spread the word, your help matters. Together, we can ensure every child has the chance to succeed and trust in His provision in the future.
Thank you for being part of our journey and believing in community and compassion. Our story is one of hope, resilience, and dedication to inspiring children.
