Welcome to Abaana Ministries Uganda Limited (AMUL)! Here in Uganda, we are very grateful to all the sponsors and donors who play such a vital role in our work of reaching out to vulnerable children and communities. Abaana Ministries Uganda is a local registered non–profit organisation that plays a role alongside the government and other development agencies in addressing poverty–related issues, primarily through promoting access to education and supporting street–connected children. Abaana (meaning ‘children’ in Luganda) emphasises faith–based, holistic care for each child within the context of the child’s family and community. Abaana Uganda’s head office is in Kito, Wakiso District, with projects in eight districts, and partners with many other agencies and government offices in its interventions.

Legal Information

· Abaana Ministries is a registered NGO – FORR79492485NB

· Permit number (issued 23rd July 2019, valid for five years) – FORP74092485NB

· Company limited by guarantee number 98523

Latest news – October 2023

 We are very grateful for a full and busy season. We have four building projects going on right now, as well as preparations for Choir 3 in full swing. Staff are busy with end–of–year activities as well as some various special activities:

1)      Zuri Training was carried out to prepare two trainers, teachers and tailors to deliver the six–module training on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health in five schools in the central area in term 3.

2)      Busia children participated in two District–run days for the African Child and International Youth Day.

3)      Abaana was glad to donate some food items for a KCCA–led rescue of some street–connected children from the Karamoja region.

We thank God for His protection, direction and provision in everything.

Choir 3 question – does the plane have a boot?

We hosted our second Choir 3 Music Camp in September, during which the International Director, Scott, visited with a videographer to take promotional videos. The children were delighted to try on new uniforms and be recorded as they sang. The children had a briefing about their trip and had some wonderful questions about how they will travel, including if the plane had a boot for their luggage! They were filled with excitement to enter Julian Junior Primary School, a nearby boarding school, for 3rd term, where they will study as their music training continues. It was heartwarming to see Choir 1 and 2 children quickly take them under their wings as the children settled into the new environment.

Exit packages

As children complete their studies, those who have done vocational training are given some kind of package to help them start their new life. One recent graduate from YMCA, Jovia, was one such recipient, who was delighted for the support: “I am very happy for this package. Through the years, Abaana has always made sure that I study comfortably. They have always paid my fees on time and they have always given me scholastics. I am so humbled that they have given me a package. All these things are going to help me start my own saloon at home. I am so happy that Abaana has walked this journey with me up to the very end. I feel so empowered and I am not scared of the future. My parents are grateful too and they only pray for blessings upon Abaana.”

Building projects

With funding from the Guernsey Overseas Aid & Development Commission and in partnership with Engineering Ministries International (eMI), the 3–classroom building with administration offices has been progressing very well. Rainey Summit View School in Ngora has also been blessed to receive a new latrine block and a third classroom to their 2–unit nursery block that was built in July/August. Ths community is overjoyed that the hundreds of children who now attend the school have such improved facilities.

Paul goes to University

Paul is a child with a hearing impairment who has been sponsored throughout his primary and secondary education. It was wonderful news when he was given a scholarship at Makerere University. Not only that, but through the generosity of his sponsor, he was given a laptop to help him study and also very good hearing aids which have enabled him hear and even speak for the first time (previous hearing aids had not been so successful in meeting his needs). He lives with a single mother who has struggled to provide for their needs so it is a joy to see him so positive about the future despite the challenges he has faced.

Summary of projects / locations of work

Abaana Uganda currently runs the following projects:

New Life Homes – New Life Homes is a licenced temporary children’s home in Uganda where street–connected children can receive Christian care and counsel, as well as have their physical needs, such as food and clothing, met. Boys are reconciled to their families as soon as possible, and the ultimate aim is that each boy would have a safe and healthy long–term home situation. Each boy that is registered receives ongoing sponsorship support in their Primary, Secondary and tertiary education.

Sponsorship – Abaana provides sponsorship to over 1,900 children from pre–primary to tertiary level who would otherwise be unable to attend or complete school. Fees are provided, as well as the provision of basics such as uniforms and scholastic materials. Special projects such as the distribution of sanitary pads and Christian teaching, including access to a Scripture Union/Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) camp, are part of interventions so that each sponsored child is helped holistically. Abaana staff regularly visit the schools to ensure that the children are getting relevant support and help with special needs, such as medical cases, where possible.

Education and School Support – Additional to sponsorship, Abaana provides support through partnerships in 16 different primary schools in various districts – Busia, Amuru, Mukono, Kampala, Mayuge, Kayunga, Ngora, and Pallisa. Abaana does this primarily by building classrooms and other buildings so that the infrastructure is in place for each school to effectively provide education in the community. Abaana also builds capacity in the schools to improve standards by training school leadership, providing resources such as textbooks and monitoring the school in various areas.

Teams – Abaana Uganda provides opportunities for people to come on short–term teams to Uganda to engage in activities related to Abaana’s work with vulnerable children. Please refer to the main Abaana UK website pages if you are based outside of Uganda and interested in joining the work on such a team – you are most welcome.

Partnership

Abaana Ministries works in partnership with many stakeholders, including the Districts where it operates with signed MoUs in place, churches, schools where sponsored children study, specialists in mental health and pastoral care like Mantle of Hope, Scripture Union and Child Evangelism Fellowship, and networks like the National NGO forum, CRANE, and the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network. Abaana also works with other organisations in street children outreach activities. Through this, Abaana supports many more vulnerable children that are part of other agencies and is always interested in establishing new partnerships with like–minded organisations to share resources and network more effectively. 

Choir – Abaana has sent two children’s choirs to UK and Ireland, in 2017 and[GO1]  2019, with plans to send a third in 2022. The 4–month tours showcase the work Abaana does in low–income communities and give an opportunity for current and potential sponsors to connect with Uganda through song, dance and testimony.

Guesthouse

Abaana Ministries Uganda has a guesthouse used primarily by visiting teams and volunteers but is open for anyone who would like a quiet, homely, peaceful place to stay with delicious continental and local dishes. We particularly welcome other organisations or companies who would like to run conferences or workshops in a serene environment, with a meeting room, sheltered veranda, and a large garden available for various group activities. Please contact us at guesthouse@abaana.org.ug or 0773–748819 for more information.

Phone and email contacts

Landline: 0393–266076

Whatsapp/phone (also mobile money): 0773 748038

Email: admin@abaana.org.ug or office@abaana.org.ug

To give to Abaana

Abaana relies on donations to serve vulnerable children in Uganda. Should you be interested in supporting our work, please get in touch with us for banking or mobile money details for monetary assistance or email us at the contacts above for any donations in kind. Thank you. 

List of Directors

Abaana Ministries Uganda has nine company members/directors: Mr Stephen Kaheru (Chairperson); Mr Scott Baxter (the Abaana founder); Mrs Bibian Muganguzi (Secretary); Mr Sam Tukei; Mr Julius Ananura; Mr Ambrose Hans Ahanga; Mr John Nsamba and Mr Wilberforce Ssempijja, with Mr Ivan Jonah Muwaya a recent addition in late september. The Directors provide direction, accountability and oversight of the operations of Abaana Ministries Uganda.

Disclaimer related to Abaana Ministries’ sponsorship scheme

Abaana Ministries Limited is a registered company limited by guarantee and NGO in Uganda. Our mission is to work with communities to address the holistic needs of vulnerable children, particularly in education. It has come to our notice that some individuals are claiming that sponsorship is available for people who pay money to a certain mobile money number. This is categorically untrue. Abaana’s sponsorship scheme is attached to identified primary schools with which Abaana partners and there is a system of identifying needy children within those communities. Moreover, NO MONEY is required in this process. Abaana Ministries will never ask people to pay money to secure sponsorship and anyone involved in this act is acting fraudulently and completely outside of Abaana Ministries’ authority. Anyone who pays money to access a service offered from Abaana Ministries does so entirely at their own risk.