Uganda—African Medical and Research Foundation

In Luweero District, Uganda, Lutheran World Relief works with partner organization, African Medical and Research Foundation. AMREF works to strengthen 17 parish orphans committees in managing an orphan support program. They are providing access to primary, secondary and vocational school for over 1000 orphans. Assistance is also given to guardians to provide better care for orphans in their support.

Florence Lwango is one such guardian. Florence lives with the affects of HIV/AIDS each day. Her two sons died of the disease. Now she is left to care for eight orphans—her grandchildren. They range in age from three to 14 years.

Support for this HIV/AIDS affected family takes place many forms:

• Several of Florence’s grandchildren are attending primary school. Their school fees are paid, but they must pay for their own uniforms and items like desks and other materials not covered by school fees.

• The project funded a purchase of a bull that Florence fattened and sold. With the money she got from the bull, she bought a dairy cow. She now has a source of milk for her family and some to sell. She has money to pay for the school items needed by her grandchildren.

• Florence also grows coffee with coffee beans she received from the AMREF project, but the harvested price is low—only about 30 cents a pound. She thinks that her entire crop may bring in a little more than $1, but it still helps.

A brighter future exists for people like Florence and her family. They have hope and a chance for a better life thanks to LWR and AMREF.