Bethesda International
Because the Ugandan government is unable to provide adequate health and social services, NGOs (non-governmental organizations) are stepping in to address the needs of Ugandan’s children who have been orphaned by AIDS and/or who have been abandoned due to extreme poverty. Because the statistics are so overwhelming, it is difficult to know where to begin to help. That is the beauty of Malama International's partnership with Bethesda International. By partnering with a local NGO, Malama International is able to see even a small amount of help have a tremendous impact by addressing three primary needs: basic necessities, education, and sustainable community project.
This partnership was established to give hope to children living in hopeless environments and to empowering children with the life skills they need to live as healthy, happy adults. We are not interested in providing simply the bare minimum required to keep human beings alive but in addressing the broader impact of poverty: social exclusion, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, restricted opportunities and choices, and the like. The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child declares: "The child, for the full and harmonious development of his personality, needs love and understanding. He shall, wherever possible, grow up in the care and under the responsibility of his parents, and in any case, in the atmosphere of affection and moral and material security."
Through our partnership with Bethesda International, we have supported the establishment of foster homes to connect 134 children with a warm, nurturing family environment. In addition, we have helped 200 children with the school fees and scholastic materials necessary for education as well as supported the building of a rural village school, Rapha Community School. Prior to the establishment of Rapha, these village children were walking nine miles each day to the nearest school. To help sustain this work, our partnership has purchased a small-scale farm for the raising of crops, dairy cows, and pigs.
