A long time member of Koinonia Sports and Fitness Association and faithful Brother in Christ, Samuel Wekanda fled Idi Amin's tyranny in Uganda and became a productive citizen of the United States working in the computer engineering field.   What follows is a letter he and his wife, Suzie, wrote to explain how the Rafiki project began and the direction it is taking.

Helping the Helpless (Rafiki Satellite project) 

We are in the process of setting up an orphanage in Uganda to help complete orphans who are under 6 years of age. “Complete orphans” are those children whose parents are no longer living (both have passed away mostly due to AIDS). 

It is with a strong desire that these children be brought up in a strong Christian environment to minimize this epidemic and also introduce the children to Jesus Christ, to be their close guardian as he has been to some of us and many other people. 

Our original intention was to start with 25 children and wait on God for His direction going forward. My desire was to use the two houses I had built for my Mom and three children left behind by my young brother, for their daily sustenance (my brother and his wife passed way, due to AIDS).

Many people have been passionate in helping to meet this need, and are stepping forward to meet the challenge of raising the funds to address this need. 

God was gracious; it was truly an honor to bring us in contact with His children and faithful servants in Rafiki foundation who are doing a great work in this area throughout the continent of Africa. It was humbling to learn, that we share the same vision and goals with Rafiki foundation.

Rafiki believes that we could do more to help more of these helpless children (yes the need is great). Since there was no room for expansion around the two houses, we agreed with Rafiki that we find a place where there is room for expansion. This would require putting up new facilities to partially meet that need.  We have traveled with Rafiki foundation to Uganda and looked at the land, and assessed how to best meet that need in relatively small town called Mbale (on the slopes of Mt Elgon, in eastern Uganda). 

We know God has been working and is calling us collectively to meet that need, while remembering this verse; James 1:27:  “NIV”  "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  I have been humbled by people’s willingness to be part of this cause.  

Rafiki foundation is still looking for major funding (over one million dollars) for this satellite project. The details of this project can be sought at Rafiki foundation.

If Rafiki is successful in getting the funding, building primary/elementary schools or a health center is not within its budget. Both of these are essential in taking care of these orphans, and developing them into useful citizens to the country and for God. 

God willing, most of your contributions will go toward building these facilities. 

Any contribution to this noble course, will be tax deductible, with a strong accountability. In addition, one can arrange with “Rafiki” to have monthly automatic deduction from his/her bank account. Below, is the model that will be used when handling all your contributions through Rafiki foundation (God willing);                                                     

                                              USA                             

                                        Tax deductible     

       Your contribution      =======è                    Rafiki                                             

                                                  Uganda

            Running                                                Orphanage

Orphanage          ç==========      Administrator                     

Rafiki will help or be involved in selecting an administrator. The administrator will be required to periodically send a report/s to Rafiki, and Rafiki will be able to address any concerns, if any. At the end of the year, Rafiki will send you a report of your total contribution to the orphanage, that you can use when filing your taxes. 

If your heart is burning to serve these children directly in any capacity, anywhere in Africa (as; a doctor, an administrator, a preschool/elementary/secondary/vocational school teacher, a nurse, etc), please contact Rafiki foundation for guidance (please do!).

-          Visit Rafiki at www.rafiki-foundation.org to see what they represent and their mission statement. Rafiki is a Swahili word that means a friend.

-          Address  19001 Huebner Road #2 .  San Antonio, TX  78258-4040

-          Phone  (210) 244-2600

 Please, pray and consider giving towards this cause. I consider it, an opportunity to serve in word and deed.  We will update you with more details when God opens doors and actual work starts on the ground in Mbale (Uganda).

Please share this with your family and friends who may be willing to extend a helping hand to these children (to be their Rafiki, that is, friend). 

This is basic summary, if you need details, please let us know. 

Thanks, a lot, and God bless you! 

Yours Sincerely;

Samuel & Suzie Wekanda