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 Mbale, Uganda Orphanage and School project began and the direction it is taking.

Helping the Helpless:  Samuel and Suzie Wekanda 

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  intention is to start with 25 children and wait on God for His direction going forward with expansion to land we have purchased.  My desire is 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).

In addition to the 2 houses, we have purchased 30 acres of land nearby for an expansion facility as funding provides.  The land is located in a 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.  

We had originally planned to partner with Rafiki Foundation .  This organization was looking for major funding (over one million dollars) for this satellite project.  Unfortunately Rafiki is unable to help us with this project at this time however we are actively pursuing other avenues to help us complete the race set before us, the construction of this safe haven and educational center for children in Mbale, Uganda.  We are continuing on and believe that the Lord has given us this work and that we will be able to bring it to completion. 

Two houses will be used as home and school for children until we have sufficient funding to build on the land we have also purshased.  Even if we have to build the facility in stages, we hope to start construction sooner than later. but because the need is great, we hope to move forward in the existing structures and begin enrolling orphaned children in the first term at our Udugu Academy Boarding School in fall of 2010.  Udugu is a Swahili word meaning Kinship relationship such as that provided by family.

Long range plans include the building of  primary/elementary schools, then dormitories and eventually a health center.  All of these are essential in taking care of these orphans, and developing them into useful citizens to the country and for God. 

God willing, your contributions will go toward building these facilities. sooner than later 

Any contribution to this noble cause apart from the race registration, will be tax deductible, with a strong accountability through Capitol Foursquare Church.  

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 us!.

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