The Sponsor Program

They poured in, mamas, their children, and their stories. Heartbreaking stories in their words and on their faces. Larry and I took photos and videos each time we were at the Siloam School to advocate for sponsors for the upcoming students.  

Word got out to the community, and orphaned children (the dad has left or died) came to get their photos taken in the hopes they might get a sponsor. Otherwise, they cannot afford school and cannot attend. Widowed or divorced women are left to support their children, and they labor wherever possible to provide food for the family.  It is a hard life, and this is said by Ugandans. We in American would not understand how hard their life is. Larry and I did not have the heart to tell the mothers of hundreds of children that there was little hope since we were focused on the students already attending Siloam who were struggling financially to attend.  We listened, hugged them, held their hand, and took their information and photo. And we pray. 

The good news. Pastor Peter, Larry, and I met with the sponsored students in nursery and primary at Siloam. We also traveled to the high schools and vocational schools where many of our sponsored students are now attending. We were SO encouraged by the school directors and our sponsored students who are attending.  Because the fees are paid for our sponsored students, the high schools and vocational schools are able to press our students to do well since they are there every day and do not have to worry about being sent home if their fees are not paid. Consistent attendance and lack of pressure as to paid fees result in students studying hard and doing well.

We heard over and over again that a youth in Uganda who finishes high school or vocational school will have a better life. And many of our students are bright enough that going on for more courses after high school will assure them of an even brighter future through a good job. 

Big picture. Half of all children in Uganda do not finish primary and secondary school.  The unemployment rate in Uganda is 21%. A high school education or completion of vocational school is critical in getting a paying job.  In many cases, a student must continue on after high school with courses to obtain meaningful employment.  The population is dense, 43.3 million people in a country slightly larger than the state of New York. Uganda takes in more refugees than any other country in Africa.  Many are from the Congo or South Sudan due to intense fighting in their country.

Interested in sponsoring a student? The cost is small, $25/month, and the reward is high...both for you and for your student. Larry and I will share videos and updates to each sponsor about their student.  We met with almost every Siloam student while in Uganda, and their story of going from hopelessness to a life and future of hope is something we cannot fully comprehend in this country. Their gratefulness is beyond measure. The idea that someone cares and shows it by supporting their education is tangibly powerful to them.

When you sponsor a student, you help many!  100% of your support goes to the school and supports teachers/staff salaries, student expenses and utilities. The
family of your student does not have to worry about paying fees each month. Change one life; change many.

I am working on getting the next three students needing a sponsor on the Lake Union Church website, https://www.lakeunionchurch.org/page/siloam-uganda-partnership.  The student currently shown is now sponsored!  You can contact me directly at shererlynette@gmail.com if you prefer.