Caring for the kids and caregivers of Fort-Portal and Buwenge Jinja is simply our application of Ephesians 2:10
Gordon’s parents opened their own Home in 2003, by simply taking in orphans that they encountered into their personal home. When they ran out of room in their home, they didn’t stop taking in kids, but opened doors for more shelter. This continued so that when we visited in 2017, not only had Fort-Portal home grown to serving 200 kids, but now also included other locations. They had been doing all this without a stable funding stream and no knowledge of where the resources were going to come from to serve these children.
As people who want to pursue a Christ like life, our founders of Nyayo were encouraged to start this nonprofit to serve alongside those who actually look like the people we read about in the Bible. We no kidding believe that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:10) and that what we are doing through Nyayo is simply our special gift from God.
From the inception of Nyayo we have desired to bless the kids and caregivers in Uganda with our time and financial aid. Little did we know that God would use these people to bless us more than we have been able to give, changing our hearts, and sending us on an unexpected path together. This idea of leaving a lasting impression on one another is the inspiration behind our name, Nyayo, which means footsteps or footprints in Swahili. With each step of this journey, we hope to leave the kind of footprints in someone else’s life as we have we experienced in ours. The future is promising and Nyayo is extending to more villages in Fort Portal region and Jinja where we have started allocating guardian homes among the communities for the Children.
We care about giving others the luxury to think about something other than where their next meal is going to come from
We raise money for food, shelter, and medicine, so that our caregivers and kids can think about something other than basic survival. Our founders have chosen to use the time we’ve been given to think about who we follow, God and Christ, and to serve those that they put in our path. We do not care what anyone wants to spend their time thinking about, nor do we wish to choose for others what we have freely chosen for ourselves. We simply find it unfair that there are people today who don’t have this luxury to choose what they will think about today.
How we operate is just as important as why we operate
100% Donation Model
We don’t like giving donations to charities knowing that a percentage of that never sees the cause. We are committed to covering all operating expenses so that 100% of your money goes toward the project you choose to fund.
Transparency
We believe in being an open book. We’re trying to make our operation as accessible to you as we can. In addition to trying to keep you appraised of what we are doing and planning via this website, you can also view our financial reports to see exactly how your dollar is spent!
Nyayo has an end date
Nyayo’s short term goal is to ensure basic needs are met. Our long term goal is to ensure that these orphanages can operate independent of our efforts. Once we are satisfied that each Home is self sustaining, Nyayo’s original purpose will cease to exist.
Impact so far
Below some thoughts from Silas Atugonza, about the impact Nyayo has made thus far.
“We never dreamed of this kind of stability but within 2 years Nyayo has helped us to know that God answers prayers. Before 2020, we could hardly provide our children with 2 meals a day. I can now proudly say we are able to feed our children in both homes 3 healthy meals a day. We have also had fewer number of sick children this year despite the whole world having a pandemic. We now have major medication the children need. Good nutrition, with good medication and prayer has really changed the lives of our children. This year has been more exciting as we have started the pig project and cow farm for our children. May the Lord keep expanding our influence and growth in all we do in 2022.
For me personally, this year I have been able to have more sleep due to reduced stress. In fact, our local team and the children have been able to spend more time with God, both learning and praying. Nyayo has not only helped in our monthly basic needs but also it has encouraged us to be more thankful and trusting in God's promises.”