A Request for Assistance

Shortly before the recent trip to Kenya a request was received through our website for support in the matter of addiction recovery from Abundant Favour Christian Ministries International, which is based in Namayingo District in Eastern Uganda, some 65 miles from Mbale.

Here extreme poverty leads to childhood deprivation, with malnutrition  and no education or healthcare for many. Often children have nowhere to sleep, and when they do it is not unusual to find five sharing a mat with a single blanket.

Undermining societal norms are child labour, low esteem for women, cultural beliefs, polygamous marriages, prostitution, HIV and AIDS; there are many orphans.

Drugs and Alcohol

Drunkenness and domestic violence prevail.

Children between the ages of 8 & 12 serve in bars and are used in the production of Waragi.

This word means War Gin, used by the British to embolden Ugandan soldiers before conflict. It can be produced from bananas or cane sugar, being triple distilled to reach 96% vol.

Youth between the ages of 13-17 imitate their caregivers in drinking alcohol and using drugs; boys might go with women beyond their age who provide them with support.

Abundant Favour Christian Ministries

This wonderful ministry is led by Pastor Robert Wandera and his wife Agnes. They support many children between the ages of 3 and 17 who are orphans or who have addicted parents; 200 girls and 115 boys at the time of correspondence. They provide counselling both to children and youth groups through church settings.

It is hoped to visit them on a future trip to Uganda, but before that Pastor James Luchivya, who leads SEE Ministries in Uganda, has made the journey of 65 miles from Mbale with a small team of co-workers, to provide strength and encouragement over a period of several days. He described to them the Recovery program we share, with a description of recovery group formation. In addition there was teaching in discipleship and Bible studies; as well as sports such as football, netball and races.

Pastor James hopes to return soon for further ministry to the youth in particular; and at a future date, as part of a revision of groups in Uganda, it is hoped to introduce the program and establish groups for Sufferers and Spouses.