Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa and has a population of approximately 45 million people. The capital city is Kampala and three major languages, Luganda, English and Swahili are spoken throughout the country. Uganda is home to the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, the immense Lake Victoria, Lake Bunyonyi and numerous waterfalls. It is also the source of the River Nile and hosts an abundant wildlife including chimpanzees, rare birds, lions, hippos, it’s renowned mountain gorilla sanctuary and others.

It is estimated that approximately 23% of the Ugandan population has some form of disability, 3.5 million of which are children. On average, only 10% of people with disabilities receive supportive measures, technology, or equipment. Most of them die before their tenth birthday or grow up with secondary deformities and live a life of dependency.

There are still many myths and beliefs surrounding disability that lead to stigma, discrimination and neglect of children with disabilities. Most communities still view disability as a bad omen, bad luck, punishment or a curse for the sins the parents must have committed. Some people see disability as witchcraft or a contagious condition that should be avoided, which leave families who have children with disabilities alone and isolated. Most of the families live in poverty and are not able to access the few available resources for their children. The lack of readily available support and information to parents prevents them from giving their children quality care at an early age, which in turn increases the severity of the children’s condition.

The Special Children’s Trust (SCT) was established in 2007 to meet the needs of these parents and their children in whatever way possible, whilst also showing them the extent of the love God has for them and the family He blessed them with.

SCT not only believes that every child is a precious gift that has to be given the opportunity to explore, learn and flourish, but also that empowering children to reach their full potential is such a huge and important role that cannot be achieved by one individual organisation. SCT works to let all people understand and know that God created each one of us for a purpose, that every child is a blessing, and has been created in His image, and that God has a desire for a personal relationship with each and every one of us (Psalm 139:14).

These are the reasons why SCT is at the forefront of building a support network of organisations and individuals called ‘The Special Children’s Forum’ where members meet regularly to share experiences, and support one another.

Every year for the last six years, SCT has held an Awareness and Fun Day for children with disabilities that brings together children, families, leaders and well-wishers to create more awareness, as well as showcase the abilities of the children. In the last year, over 1,000 children from different organisations have participated in an awareness march, music, dance, sports and other activities.

We are grateful to MMN for their help, generosity and support for the ‘Forever Home Project’. This is a ministry that seeks to resolve the challenges created by the lack of quality care services for children with disabilities in Uganda, through the provision of medical and dental care, therapy, nutritional sup-port, education and recreation facilities.

With this help we have been able to begin the construction and equipping of a medical centre. A well was also constructed and fitted with a pump that is able to pump up to 5,000 litres of water per hour. This water has greatly helped in the construction works and is currently the only water supply on the premises for all activities.

In all our programs we take time to share the heart of God for people with disabilities and explain that we do all we can because of God’s love for us and His desire to reconcile us with Himself, and have a relationship with us, regardless of ability or race. Thank you for your prayers.