It wouldn’t be unreasonable for someone to flee their country in the midst of a senseless civil war that was killing citizens indiscriminately.
Situated in the northern part of Uganda is the Panyadholi Refugee Settlement. This “camp” is more like a city since the population is at least 100,000. The Refugee Settlement is inhabited by displaced people from Congo, Somalia,, Kony’s Lord’s Liberation Army, and mostly from Southern Sudan. It is the largest settlement camp in Uganda and has existed for more than 30 years. It can be a dark and hopeless place.
But there is no place that cannot be penetrated by the love of Jesus Christ.
Just a 30-minute drive from Kiyandongo, the settlement camp has become a mission field for SOZO Dream Foundation. Founded and directed by Rebecca Hunter, she and some of her medical school classmates, who are currently on rotation at Kiyandongo Regional Hospital, have seen opportunities for the Gospel.
Here is where you come in. You are more than welcome to join the SOZO Team to express the love of God to some of the people living in the settlement camp. Under the direction of God’s Spirit, Rebecca has identified several individuals who can use our assistance. This will bring love, hope, and purpose as the team puts human faces on the love of God.
SOZO has been given official access to Panyandholi and they are building a credible reputation as selfless and humble people who want people to know that God has not forgotten them. Recently, Rebecca and her team met a refugee from South Sudan named Sapan. As a result of the ongoing war in Sudan, Sapan fled his country 10 years ago after losing everything in the war. He arrived at the Ugandan border with only his one-year-old nephew. After settling in the camp, to his surprise, Saban discovered his sister, a niece, and a cousin. He was overjoyed but that joy was extinguished when he learned his parents, his brother-in-law, and extended family members had all been killed in Sudan.
To this day, Saban has no knowledge of whether his wife is dead or alive. She may have perished with the others, made it to Uganda, and perhaps settled in a different refugee camp … he lives in hopeless wonder.
After living in the camp for a decade, Saban now cares for a total of 10 people. Each survives on just one meal a day. The World Food Program allocates 19,000 ($5.00) Ugandan shillings per month for every person in his household if they possess a refugee ID.
How can we help?
But, for now, Saban needs immediate help paying school fees for his six children. The cost per student in the settlement camp school is 50,000 ($13.50) Ugandan shillings per term … of which there are three each year. Ten of Rebecca’s friends who usually accompany her on her mission trips to the settlement have committed themselves to pay for the six children for one term. But, they will be leaving the area in six months to finish their medical school training in another hospital.
We need to make a long-term commitment to these children once they start school. Rebecca would like to see a family “adopt” these six children and pay for their school. That would result in a $100 per term commitment ($35 a month). But, if God lays it on your heart to sponsor one of a single child’s education please do so.
Please donate online at https://nextgenerationministries.givingfuel.com/sozo-dream-foundation. Make sure you note that your donation is for Saban’s children. Thank you for being a part of the SOZO Team!