 |
When Peter and Sharon Georges were working as missionaries in Uganda in 2003, they made a decision
that seemed minor at the time, but would have far-reaching consequences. They agreed to pay school
fees for two orphans who were living with an elderly grandmother. When they returned to Uganda in
2005, they learned that there were now nine children living with the old woman in a deteriorating mud
hut wedged between a main road and a swamp. There were more grandchildren living nearby, some with
a single ailing parent, some with another relative. Within weeks the two became thirteen. Soon other
situations presented themselves: a family of five kids living completely on their own; a little girl
abandoned to a poor but caring neighbor; children living with HIV-positive single parents; and many
more.
As the number of sponsored children increased and the Georgeses became more involved with their
education, they realized that there was more to it than school fees, uniforms, lunches and books. As in
the case of the grandmother’s orphans, miserable living conditions seriously affect a child’s ability to
learn as well as jeopardize their general health. So their assistance became more extensive—improved
living quarters, beds, mattresses, sheets, blankets, mosquito nets, shoes, food staples, and health
care. Although the cash outflow was now exceeding their modest missionary stipend, they proceeded in
faith. As word of their efforts spread, people of good will began to ask how they could help. Thus was
born the St. Nicholas Uganda Children’s Fund. The Fund is now supporting more than 200 children in
school, and is providing additional assistance to six needy families.
In October 2007, the Georgeses resigned as missionaries in order to devote themselves full-time to the
work of the Children’s Fund.
that seemed minor at the time, but would have far-reaching consequences. They agreed to pay school
fees for two orphans who were living with an elderly grandmother. When they returned to Uganda in
2005, they learned that there were now nine children living with the old woman in a deteriorating mud
hut wedged between a main road and a swamp. There were more grandchildren living nearby, some with
a single ailing parent, some with another relative. Within weeks the two became thirteen. Soon other
situations presented themselves: a family of five kids living completely on their own; a little girl
abandoned to a poor but caring neighbor; children living with HIV-positive single parents; and many
more.
As the number of sponsored children increased and the Georgeses became more involved with their
education, they realized that there was more to it than school fees, uniforms, lunches and books. As in
the case of the grandmother’s orphans, miserable living conditions seriously affect a child’s ability to
learn as well as jeopardize their general health. So their assistance became more extensive—improved
living quarters, beds, mattresses, sheets, blankets, mosquito nets, shoes, food staples, and health
care. Although the cash outflow was now exceeding their modest missionary stipend, they proceeded in
faith. As word of their efforts spread, people of good will began to ask how they could help. Thus was
born the St. Nicholas Uganda Children’s Fund. The Fund is now supporting more than 200 children in
school, and is providing additional assistance to six needy families.
In October 2007, the Georgeses resigned as missionaries in order to devote themselves full-time to the
work of the Children’s Fund.
| Our History |
| Click below to learn about: |
| ©2008-2010 St. Nicholas Uganda Children's Fund |
| The St. Nicholas Uganda Children's Fund has received the blessing of His Eminence JOB, Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest (OCA). |
| The St. Nicholas Uganda Children’s Fund is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |