As Uganda’s history gradually releases its grip on the country, new stories are emerging. Poverty, HIV and AIDS, grieving children left in charge of their younger siblings; these are some of the themes common to many throughout the country. Yet there are other players too; the hope that comes from local churches as they commit themselves to putting faith into action among those in greatest need.
Edith Wakumire knows about both sides of life in Uganda. As executive director and founder of the Uganda Women Concern Ministry (UWCM), she has held fast to the belief that communities can be mobilised through a network of volunteers recruited from local churches. She knows that together churches and communities can overpower the poverty and grief that surrounds the poor, the marginalised and disadvantaged.
It all started in a garage. It was 1992 and a few square meters was all that was needed for UWCM to take its first steps. Today, the Tearfund partner has 450 volunteers. The garage is just a distant memory replaced by fresh stories of transformation and sacrifice, as local churches are mobilised to take action.
Among those who benefit are children orphaned by HIV. Uganda’s extended family network simply cannot support the increased number of child orphans, so in response UWCM has set up small centers to support both children and their grandparents. At each centre there is a Christian who will pray with the families, alleviating both spiritual and material poverty.
Abadu – his Muslim name – has also benefited from the work started by Edith. When he was diagnosed with HIV his fear of stigma caused him to leave his family and home. Fortunately he came into contact with UWCM who reached out to him. Desperately ill from the HIV infection he was then given treatment. Today he is alive, well and is the proud owner of a new name that he has chosen for himself: Christopher.
For Edith the work of UWCM draws inspiration from the direct simplicity of Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:36. Poverty, illness and isolation are their compass, leading them and hundreds of Christians to meet the needs of their local communities.