Conflict in South Sudan has uprooted families and led to hunger and suffering. The U.N. refugee agency announced August 17 that South Sudanese refugees in Uganda now exceed 1 million. World Vision is bringing healing and sustenance to children and families in need.
Why World Vision is in Uganda
Uganda is hosting more than 123,000 South Sudanese fleeing civil war, most of whom are women and children. World Vision is responding with food, water, educational programs, and more for refugee camps in northern Uganda—an area still recovering from decades of conflict led by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a brutal militia believed responsible for 100,000 deaths and the abduction of 60,000 children. In 2015, a former LRA commander was the first member of the rebel group to come before the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Protecting children is among our top priorities in Uganda, where children too often suffer neglect, sexual abuse, and violence. In rural areas, 33 percent of girls are married by age 15. Local churches have been key partners in our efforts to stop harmful practices such as early marriage and to strengthen systems for peace and protection of children. Through our Uganda Christian Witness Program, we have engaged with 401 churches over the past five years to serve people in need and have trained 2,777 pastors and church leaders in theology and children’s ministry.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Uganda ❯
Progress in Uganda
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- We trained child protection committees on child rights and child abuse case management and empowered children through participation in child rights clubs and Day of the African Child. This annual event raises awareness about children's right to education.
- We established saving groups for parents of vulnerable children so these mothers and fathers could access credit to start small businesses and provide for the needs of their children.
- We worked with government agriculture agents to train farmers on increasing crop yields and storing harvests properly to protect them from insects and weather.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- We promoted hygiene and sanitation practices in homes and schools by partnering with communities to construct latrines, organize school hygiene clubs, and raise awareness about safe and healthy behaviors.
- Village health teams were trained to teach new mothers about healthy postnatal care and the best nutrition practices for young children.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Teachers were trained in topics such as early childhood development, reading skills, special education, and classroom management.
- We worked with community members to improve schools by building classrooms and latrines, as well as providing textbooks and locally relevant books for early readers.
Love of God and Neighbors
Children and families are growing spiritually, local churches are strengthened to demonstrate Christ's love in practical ways, and people are living at peace with their neighbors.
- Our local staff served children and families as a demonstration of God's unconditional love, seeking always to be faithful ambassadors of Jesus.
Prayer Requests from Uganda
World Vision's staff in Uganda are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Small businesses starting out with microloans to thrive and provide much-needed income to families.
More families to register their children for birth certificates so their kids will be protected.
News from Uganda
Prayers
Matthew 25: Pray for children’s health
As we recognize World Health Day on April 7, join us in prayer for the health of all of the world’s children who struggle to stay healthy and thrive.
Voices
World Refugee Day: Moses misses his father
Nearly 10,000 refugee children have crossed from South Sudan into Uganda without their parents. Meet Moses, one of these unaccompanied children who now must wear the shoes of a father for his sisters. Learn how this responsibility weighs on him and how World Vision is helping to look after them.
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