It was back in 2011 when Mubangizi Julius Katemba had to dig deep within himself to find the courage to ask a stranger for help. Knowing that the Lord had tasked him with helping others, he asked the Lord for strength, and received it. The cause was noble, and it continues to be.
There are few endeavors more worthy of admiration than that of helping sustain and nurture children. Providing for children orphaned by war and AIDS is especially difficult, requiring great amounts of patience, attention, and love.
Julius humbly asked strangers for assistance in his efforts to make a difference in the lives of the young souls of Kigezi, an organization that at the time was having difficulties with simply providing food, clothing, clean water, and shelter for the children.
With the help of many kind hearted and generous westerners, mostly Americans, things started to turn around. Mosquito nets helped slow malaria, money for medical care became available, books, paper, and pencils arrived. The involvement of Queenie Mahalia Linderman brought money to purchase real estate, ending the need to pay rent for land.
David H. Albert and his organization Friendly Water For The World helped by constructing two water filtration and storage systems, which have almost eliminated the outbreak of waterborne illnesses.
With time things got better, and the children of Kigezi started to receive real educational opportunities, with paid teaching staffs, and more appropriate facilities.
The arrival of Mr. Rick Rome resulted in money for a new school, built to the codes required by Ugandan authorities. Classrooms and teachers for various age and ability groups meant more effective learning, and test grades confirmed this.
The transformation which has occurred at Kigezi Orphans Home has been amazing to see, and awe inspiring. There have been so many people who have helped the dream come true.
Much remains to be done, and needs will continue.
We here in the USA, we who encourage and support this project, owe alot to the hard work of Julius Katemba and his loyal assistant Egidius Katushabe. The changes which have taken place at Kigezi would not have happened without their hard work and dedication. May the Lord give them strength to continue his work there.