By Kayla Bruch

Charity brings hope to orphans in Uganda

Nov 15, 2014 | 2:40 PM

A Christian charity invited Prince Albert residents to shop for custom items while supporting a good cause.

On Saturday, the Rays of Hope for Uganda charity hosted its annual trade and craft show at Midtown Hall.

Rays of Hope for Uganda president Joanna Hulowski said for four years they have been working to meet the needs of orphan children in the village of Akampala. It is a small fishing village in the Kaberamaido district of northern Uganda.

The charity all started with Ugandan Francis Okullo. He approached Hulowski’s daughter during her missionary in Africa, where she was volunteering at an orphanage.

“He was orphaned when he was a child and when he grew up he wanted to give back to his community, so it was his vision to build a school,” said Hulowski.

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Inspired by her daughter and Okullo, Hulowski said she and group of people came together to purchase 27 acres of land to build a school on.

“We became a registered charity in 2010 and we’ve built a school there and we now have 306 kids,” she said. “We have orphans, vulnerable children and children with parents, some with parents too, that had never been to school before,” she said.

Frank Bird was selling a variety of baked goods and preserves at Saturday’s show. He said he has been baking and making preserves for almost 25 years.

Bird said Rays of Hope for Uganda is a great charity and that’s the main reason he takes part in the show.

“It’s because of what she does [Joanna] that I come here and set up,” he said. “You’re supporting a worthy cause in my opinion.”

After speaking with Hulowski, Bird was reminded of his time working for Tim Hortons.  

“They used to donate their old uniforms to private schools in Africa,” he said. Once the school received the uniform they would take off the lettering and use them as school uniforms.

If presented with the opportunity, Bird said he would travel to Akampala to see what the village is really like.

Hulowski said she has been to Uganda around six times. She said the first time was a unique experience for her and the kids.

“The kids had never seen white people before, so they were a little leery, but now you don’t have enough hands to hold,” she said. “One will hold one finger, another one will hold another finger, one will hold your thumb, one will hold your wrist and they all want to walk with you and hold your hand.”

Hulowski said the kids are very welcoming and she is affected by the children’s reactions each time she visits the village.

“Sometimes it doesn’t have to be words you can just see how overjoyed they are,” she said.

To donate and help kids in need, click here.

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter: @KaylaBruch1