Smile Africa

Saturday we went to see a partner of Hope4kids here in Uganda called Smile Africa. Smile Africa has nothing to do with dental care and everything to do with caring for the most vulnerable women and children in this culture.

Pastor Ruth started with a piece of land and a desire to care for the children of the Karamajong tribe who had migrated from Northern Uganda where there was a war. These people had nowhere to go. She started taking the kids to her property during the day and feeding them while their parents were in the dump trying to get food. The tribe is a despised tribe in this country, something akin to gypsies in our country, without education or social skills.

This ministry has come a long way. Pastor Ruth showed us children who had been starved and burned by their parents. There are now 40 children living at the property. We arrived in time to watch the babies sitting in front of a plate of rice and special nutrients for malnourished children.

Those babies can really pack away the food!! There are a total of about 300-400 children who are fed there daily.

Lunch always tastes better when you use both hands.

Pastor Ruth also helps women in the community who don't have the skills necessary to work and support their families. There is a craft store with items hand made by the women. This is a microfinance project which supports many of the women. We assisted with supporting these women, the crafts were hard to resist.

Pastor Ruth's mother lives on the property and we visited her in her home. She even adopted us all as daughters (except Lylaine who she adopted as a sister). She took off her scarf to show us her white hair.

Here's a few pictures of children you can see around the campus.