Soccer Tournament Excitement & HIV/AIDS Education

Our team in Uganda organized a community soccer tournament that is also bringing HIV/AIDS Education to the participating teams and their fans. Soccer balls arrived in August as 18 schools declared their intention to compete in tournament games through the final in October. The ongoing competition provides repeated opportunities to share important HIV/AIDS messages that will contribute to informed community youth. Contact ACT to learn more.

With much excitement and a grateful heart, Marion started her first semester at the University a couple of weeks ago. Faithful ACT sponsors funded her first semester after hearing about her dreams of pursuing a higher education. They are eager to share her story with family and friends, in hopes of raising additional funds towards her annual tuition of $2,500. Could you be a part of Marion's story?

Marion has been volunteering with our team in Uganda, in trade for a place to stay since recently losing both of her parents. As she has been working with the team, most specifically helping in the RODI office, it was quickly noted that Marion would be a very capable and successful University student. Would Marion's dream be one that you could support? Do you know of someone that has been looking for a way to make a difference in another person's life? Contact ACT to learn more.

Congratulations Richard!

Congratulations to Richard Mutaawe, Co-Founder and Director of Sponsorship and Administration for RODI! Richard just completed his Masters Degree in Public Administration and Management. Besides his critical involvement with RODI, Richard has also been a teacher. We are inspired by his energy, spirit, determination and commitment. Richard and his wife, Annette, and their children, Mercy and Joshua, have so much to celebrate.

Years Later: True Sponsorship Impact Revealed

Aloysious and his son, John
We are pleased to introduce you to Aloysious Kaweesa, a very proud father, and his son John. Aloysious was sponsored as a child through World Vision by John and Janice, who currently sponsor another child through ACT. After the World Vision program ended, John and Janice lost contact with Aloysious and recently asked our RODI team in Uganda to help them locate their African son. RODI was able to locate Aloysious and discovered that he still had a picture of John and Janice on his nightstand! He is married now and named his first son in honor of his American father. Aloysious is trained in construction and supports his family by building houses. Sponsorship impact makes a difference one child at a time. Be a part of it. Contact ACT.

Aloysious on the Job

Inspiration from a Community "Thank You"

Recognition from Local Leaders in Uganda
Our tireless team in Uganda received community recognition for their contributions in community empowerment, education and community welfare. In turn, our friends dedicated their accomplishments to the support from friends through African Children Today. Be a part of the story. Contact ACT to learn more.

University Dreams

Introducing Marion
Marion is currently volunteering with our team in Uganda, in trade for a place to stay since recently losing both parents. Marion has completed her secondary education, taken the national preuniversity qualifying exam and awaits her results. As she has been working with the team, most specifically helping in the RODI office during Oliver's maternity leave, it was quickly noted that Marion would be very capable and successful University student. Her smile, energy and enthusiasm have proven to be a blessing in Rakai. We hope to locate a sponsor for Marion's University tuition costs of $2500/year. Would Marion's dream be one that you could support? Do you know of someone that has been looking for a way to make a difference in another person's life? Be a part of Marion's dream. Contact ACT to learn more.

Saturday Smiles

Saturday Meeting Smiles
Monthly Saturday meetings bring smiles, laughter and learning. Thanks to a donor's ingenious idea and gift, the Uganda team is holding monthly meetings with supported and sponsored children in Rakai. These gatherings provide a wonderful opportunity to share HIV/AIDs education, as well as providing the Uganda  team with another chance to check on the health and welfare of each child. We all know that a caring conversation can make a difference. And when you pair that with a treat and friendship, the smiles begin. Contact ACT today.

An Irreplaceable RODI Asset

Oliver Namirimo is the first female to start working with RODI and the only paid employee of RODI at the moment. She joined RODI in 2011 after administration recognized the need for someone who could talk to young girls about sensitive topics. In addition to being a great listener, Oliver holds a certificate in secretarial studies and has extensive knowledge in record keeping and accounting, which has greatly helped move RODI forward. Oliver and Michael plan to marry in September. The two knew one other before Oliver joined RODI and both share a passion for improving the lives of the less fortunate. Oliver feels like it is a dream come true to finally become a member of the RODI team.

ACT celebrates dedicated individuals like Oliver whose gentle nature and warm personality help connect with the children who benefit from various RODI programs. Today, many children even refer to Oliver as their mother!

ACT supports grass-roots community efforts in Rakai, Uganda that directly impact women and children suffering from the social and economic ravages of AIDS. With our child sponsorship program, change is happening. Be a part of it.

Contact ACT to learn more.

A Family of Volunteers

Johnson Lwondo, RODI founder, raised his five siblings once they were orphaned due to AIDS. One of these is Michael Ssempiira. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and social administration and is engaged to Oliver Namirimo, the very first woman to join the work of RODI.

Michael deeply relates to the children African Children Today and RODI are helping, so after he graduated in June 2009, he volunteered to join RODI in order to be able to assist other children just as he was helped. Michael is extremely flexible and helpful—always ready to go with a moment’s notice. When you want someone to perform an urgent task and get it done right, you call Michael!

African Children Today is thankful for RODI volunteers like Michael and generous sponsors and donors. ACT supports these grass-roots community efforts in Rakai, Uganda that directly impact women and children suffering from the social and economic ravages of AIDS. Change is happening. Be a part of it.

Contact ACT to learn more. 

Volunteers Change the World—One Life at a Time

A large family today.

Rakai inhabitants and RODI volunteers Godfrey and Sylvia have three children: two sons, Frank and Mark, and their newborn daughter, Veronica. RODI first came into contact with Sylvia through her membership in the Hope Again Women (HAW) program. RODI leaders soon discovered that Sylvia and Godfrey were struggling to look after four young orphaned girls in addition to their own children.

Godfrey started volunteering with RODI in June 2008 while Sylvia worked tirelessly to support other women of HAW. The proceeds from the sale of Sylvia’s jewelry and baskets allowed Sylvia and Godfrey to build a new house and continue to support their extended family while also pay for Godfrey’s continued education. Godfrey is in his final year of a teacher-training program.

Godfrey and Sylvia have a huge place in their heart for needy children and continue to look after other orphans using their own resources. Godfrey is the head of the RODI volunteers and oversees HAW. Godfrey and Sylvia are a tremendous example of how a spirit of generosity combined with effective initiatives such as Hope Again Women can change lives.

A group of volunteers in front of their beautiful home.

“We had never dreamed of living in such a house,” says Godfrey. “We think that God blessed us as a reward for caring for needy people. We will continue.”

ACT supports these grass-roots community efforts in Rakai, Uganda that directly impact women and children suffering from the social and economic ravages of AIDS. Change is happening. Be a part of it.

Contact ACT to learn more. 

Purpose in Action

Richard Mutaawe, co-founder and sponsorship/administration director of RODI, grew up in the Rakai regions with RODI co-founder Johnson Lwondo. By age 10 he was an orphan due to AIDS. Also left behind were his three younger siblings Richard would raise on his own. Sadly, one sibling did not make it to adulthood.

However with support from various individuals and organizations, Richard managed to attended school and raise his two siblings. The precious assistance that helped him combat desperate circumstances inspired him to pair up with Johnson to start RODI.

Today Richard and his wife, Annette, have two children, Mercy and Joshua. Richard holds a bachelor’s degree in education and is a registered teacher in Uganda. He is currently enrolled in his final year of a program to obtain his master’s in public administration and management. Richard says, “Every time I visited the village where I grew up and saw old ladies struggling in vain to take care of orphans, memories of how I suffered came back. I wondered what I could do to help until we were inspired to start RODI. Since then, I have taught school to support my family but have found my true purpose in helping the needy children and women.”

Johnson and Robert with RODI beneficiary, Molly.

African Children Today supports RODI because the results are so clear: With generous support from willing individuals, RODI is able to truly help needy children and women.

Be part of the change.

Contact ACT to learn more.

RODI Founder Pays It Forward

The story of RODI founder and Executive Director Johnson Lwondo is similar to the story of so many youth in Rakai. Johnson was orphaned due to HIV/AIDS at age 11, charging him with the enormous responsibility of raising his five younger siblings. With support from a sponsor in Florida, he managed to attend school as well as continue to support his siblings. Today Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in Arts and Organizational Studies as well as a master’s degree in Public Administration and Management. His five younger siblings also had the chance to attend school and all possess degrees in different disciplines now.

Today Johnson and his wife Agnes have two children, Rodney Richie and Whitney Catherine. Starting RODI was a no-brainer for Johnson who says, “Knowing that I have survived and succeeded because someone reached out a hand of help to me…how can I turn away from those children who are now in the same place I was as a child? The dollars that my sponsor sent helped make me who I am today. If every orphan can get a chance like I got, there can be more Johnsons in the community to move it forward.”

African Children Today recognizes that it is thanks to individuals like Johnson’s former sponsor that young children are rising from tragic circumstances to become empowered.

Be part of the change happening in Rakai.

Contact ACT to learn more.