Hope Center
This is particularly true in regard to the orphans and vulnerable villages of Mukono District. BoHU recognizes that since we live in an interdependent world and can not overlook each other’s problems, we are duty bound to alleviate the suffering and elevate the orphan, helping him or her to become a well balanced, productive, and self sustaining adult—and a contributing member of society. We operate in the belief that we can invest in the future of our children today, or pay for it tomorrow in terms of crime, poverty, and broken dreams.
Our Orphanage Home
According to the most recent Mukono District Council Statistical Abstract, Mukono District had 65,709 orphans under the age of 18. Fifty percent of Mukono District children are orphaned by one parent, twenty percent are orphaned by both parents, and twenty-two percent are vulnerable. The primary cause of this desperately unhappy situation is the HIV/AIDS scourge, which places an estimated 1.2 million children in
Over the past several years the Ugandan government has done an admirable job in educating and lowering the incidence of AIDS among its citizenry, and in caring for its orphans. But much remains to be done, and many orphans of Mukono District are dependent upon the private and faith-based sectors to alleviate their plight. Beacon of Hope Uganda stands ready to do exactly that. The grounds of the orphanage will include a primary school, organic gardens, and various animal enclosures. Long-range plans include the expansion of one additional building on the site to offer a technical trade/leadership development learning center for children as they “age out” of the orphanage. It is our plan to make this facility and training available to other vulnerable Mukono youth outside of the orphanage.
Building the Future
BoHU’s overall plan is designed to be accomplished in two phases. When complete, Mukono will be the home of a new orphanage and technical training/leadership development center known as the
Phase I – The BoHU Orphanage, Sustainable Organic Garden, and Animal Rearing
Our overarching goal is to provide an environment where our children can truly invest in their dreams for the future. Believing that our common humanity is more important than our differences, the home will initially support up to 55 children of all ages, faiths and cultures, and will provide the safe and secure environment necessary to the healthy physical and emotional growth of every child. The orphanage will also house an on-site primary school, ensuring that each and every child receives the education he or she so richly deserves. Older children in our care will receive the same benefit in the form of school sponsorships. In addition to basic education, all of our orphans will be endowed with valuable education that extends beyond the traditional: Training in disease prevention (personal hygiene, HIV/AIDS, malaria, typhoid), life skills, household and business budgeting skills, etc.
The Piggery Project- We need more piglets for the Center
Mukono District enjoys a favorable climate and other resources for the production of a wide range of crops, as well as the rearing of a variety of revenue-producing animals. The land surrounding the home will be used to create and maintain projects that contribute to the financial support of our young residents as well as educate them in organic farming, animal rearing, and product marketing. Here children will become well versed in sustainable garden cultivation, and pig, chicken and goat rearing. In addition to gaining knowledge in these areas, our young residents will gain confidence in their ability to earn a living and create a sustainable lifestyle for themselves as they age out of the orphanage
Sustainability is one of BoHU’s primary goals in each program model. Each activity to be employed on land at the orphanage emphasizes and employs sustainable tactics. Profit from each activity will go back into each project to support our children and to raise revenue for our training center.
- Chicken Pen: The eggs produced from two days of the week will be sold on the market in order to buy food to feed the chickens. Remaining eggs will be used for food or to incubate and hatch baby chicks to sell the full grown chickens for meat.
- Pig Rearing: Pigs will be reared and when ready, will be sold on the market for greatest profit. This money will be used for school fees for the older children or perhaps used in other income generating projects such as beekeeping.
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* BoHU is already in possession of chickens and pigs which are currently placed in villages throughout the Mukono District for reproduction and safekeeping.
Phase II – Technical and
Also quoting from the 2007 Mukono District Council Statistical Abstract, Mukono District is home to approximately 176,000 youth in the 18-to-30 age group. In Mukono much of our rapidly growing youth population is frustrated by their lack of skills and subsequent absence of economic opportunities. This causes a sense of resentment and powerlessness that contributes to a dangerously unhealthy economy and stagnant society. Beacon of Hope Uganda wishes to address this senseless waste of talent in Phase II of our
It is our vision to offer technical, vocational, and leadership skills to our students. Initial technical and vocational training will focus on areas such as tailoring, carpentry, and computer skills. Leadership training will include courses such as how to write a CV, what to consider before starting a business, how to start a business, and how to write a business plan. We will also assist and teach small groups of entrepreneurs how to access micro financing loans to begin a new business, or to expand an existing business.
Last but not at all least, our Hope Center will offer on-site resource counselors, trained to deal with issues such as HIV/AIDS testing and follow-up, assistance in cases of rape and defilement, and general assistance in overcoming life’s obstacles.
For questions or additional discussion locally, please contact Beacon of Hope Uganda’s founder and Executive Director, Isaac Ssamba at telephone +256753216892, or email beaconyouths@yahoo.com. In the United States, please contact Melanie DuChateau at 303.________ or email geomeld@gmail.com. We welcome further conversation with you.
