Kigezi Children’s Home became a part of my life soon after I moved to Idaho Falls 20 years ago. I was first connected through a hometown friend of my brother Tad. I had noticed through Facebook that he was supporting an orphanage in Uganda that was being promoted by his high school friend Queenie. It just so happened that she was living in the same town as I was currently residing. There was a need to support orphans in their education so I decided to get involved.
I was able to learn about some of the children and their dreams and choose to support them. I chose Novious and Ruminate. I was able to support Ruminate until Julius was able to find her family. I was able to see Novious through her final education as a hairdresser.
Over the years, I began to know Julius as a friend as we connected through our mutual care for orphans.
I have come to highly respect the work in Uganda and the foundation created here in America that gives me the opportunity to make a difference in my world. Soon after I met Rick Rome in 2019, I realized that this was an organization that I wanted to support on an ongoing basis instead of just quarterly for school fees for the children. Following the example of sacrificial commitment of the leadership of Kigezi, both at home and abroad for the good of those in need, I began to support the orphanage regularly out of every paycheck.
I have learned over the years that to have a fulfilling life that I must first care for myself, then I can look to the interests of my family, my community, and my world. Making a difference at every level gives me satisfaction that nothing can replace.