Children of Uganda’s Tour of Light Music and Dance Troupe

Children of Uganda was founded in 1995. As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States and a registered non-profit organization in Uganda, Children of Uganda has central offices in both countries and works in conjunction with local organizations in Uganda to provide education and support to hundreds of children in need. Our funding is derived from individual child sponsorships, as well as grants and donations. The mission of Children of Uganda is to support and empower hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda to lead successful and productive lives. Our vision is that all children in Uganda receive an education to become healthy, productive members of their community who assume leadership roles and positively impact Ugandan society.

Children of Uganda was founded in 1995. As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States and a registered non-profit organization in Uganda, Children of Uganda has central offices in both countries and works in conjunction with local organizations in Uganda to provide education and support to hundreds of children in need. Our funding is derived from individual child sponsorships, as well as grants and donations.

The mission of Children of Uganda is to support and empower hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda to lead successful and productive lives. Our vision is that all children in Uganda receive an education to become healthy, productive members of their community who assume leadership roles and positively impact Ugandan society.

Programs in Uganda: Uganda's AIDS epidemic has resulted in approximately 1.7 million children losing one or both parents. Children of Uganda is helping to educate and support Uganda’s most vulnerable population, while at the same time promoting global awareness of the effects of HIV/AIDS, through the following programs:

Educational Support: Children of Uganda supports the Sabina Primary Boarding School in Rakai district where sponsored elementary-aged orphans and vulnerable children attend school. In addition, local community students can attend Sabina on partial scholarship. Due to the school’s high standard of education, a third category of private students from across Uganda pay full price to attend this school. When sponsored children complete primary school, they are granted access to quality secondary education and vocational training through area partnerships. A select group of students continue on to university.
Philip’s House in Mukono district is an important aspect of Children of Uganda’s education program that was established in 2002 to provide basic living requirements, health services, physiotherapy and education to young adults with varied mental and physical disabilities. At Philip’s House, these individuals receive the psychological support and physical care they need to achieve their full potential and feel accepted by society.

Life Skills: Sabina promotes girls’ and boys’ empowerment clubs where lively forums on a wide range of health, personal, and relationship issues are led by elected student leaders under the guidance of their teachers. Our students also learn life skills through participation in the Permaculture and Environmental Club, the Journalism Club, and the Drama Club.

Food and Water Security: Children of Uganda understands that without proper nutrition, a child cannot grow their body or mind, which is why the practice of permaculture (the combination of two words – permanent and agriculture) was introduced at Sabina through the Food and Water Security (FWS) Program. FWS has brought many acres of land under cultivation, expanding the school’s vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and staple crops. Teachers are now working with the Department of Education to integrate FWS into the school curriculum ~ giving every student the opportunity to learn from hands-on time in the garden.

Medical Care and HIV/AIDS Treatment: This program provides children with primary care support, including access to treatment for normal childhood illnesses and more life-threatening health conditions such as malaria or HIV/AIDS. Specifically, HIV+ children receive highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), food supplements, routine medical treatment, and counseling in an effort to help them cope with their disease and lead happy, productive lives.

Music, Dance and Drama: Sabina has a rich curriculum emphasizing Uganda’s traditions of singing, dancing, and drumming; as a result, the school’s music and dance troupe frequently wins regional competitions. Every few years, the Tour of Light brings these talented children to America. Through music, dance, and drama, these young people aim to raise global awareness of the effects of HIV/AIDS on children in developing nations around the world and to advocate for international assistance to end the devastating effects of AIDS on children.

Community Empowerment: In 2008, the Ssanje Library and Community Resource Center was established on the grounds of Sabina to give students and the wider community access to educational books and computers. Children of Uganda has also partnered with the Ssanje Women’s Cooperative, some of whom are relatives of our children, who seek to create income-generating products. By providing a market for their crafts, the organization has helped expand their activities from handcrafts into soap making and lotions.