Help vulnerable children go to SAMaritan Schools!

New school year started on February 5^th after the long holidays.  (The school year runs from begin February till December in Uganda). The youngest and littlest children can’t wait to return to class! And there was a huge surprise awaiting them when they got to the gate. Because during the holiday the walls of the compound had been transformed by a very creative painter!

This year 7 children are being sponsored by KHA in the Samaritan Daycare and Kindergarten and 100 children in the Samaritan Primary School.

We have taken these children to our hearts. Good education makes a difference in a child's life.

New Chairman of Kinderhulp Afrika. In this report we would like to introduce you to the new chairman of Kinderhulp Afrika, Xander Rijken. Last May he took over this position from his father-in-law Mathijs Piet.

During a challenging charity weekend in Scotland several years ago with the 4th Musketeers, Xander was touched by the need and injustice in this world. It didn't let him go. “I didn't want to close my eyes anymore,” says Xander. “I wanted to do something for a charitable organization to make a difference.” And that organization was closer than he thought…

Xander is an IT consultant and initially he helped Kinderhulp Afrika in the IT field, updating the administration, communications and overhauling the website. When the moment came that Mathijs indicated that the time had come for him to stop as Chairman, Xander assisted in drawing up the application for this vacancy. He became increasingly eager to take on the role of chairman himself! This was the way he wanted to work for people who are so much less fortunate than he is. Last May he took over the roll and gavel officially. He deeply respects his father-in-law in how he built up the project in Uganda with great faith and vision.

Xander has now visited the project several times. He says: “I am always impressed by the size of the project. It is not a school as we know it in the Netherlands. It's so big, and it has so much impact. Children's lives are being changed.” The last time Xander was in Uganda, his eldest son accompanied him. “That was very special. One particular moment made a big impression on me. My son wears an orthodontic brace. Curious children continuously gathered around him. They had never seen these braces before. One of the Ugandan children came up to me and asked what it was. That moment struck me. In the Netherlands we can visit an orthodontist. These Ugandan children are not at all concerned about anything that is cosmetic. The money simply isn't there. For them there is only one thing: survival.”

Bring back justice
“That moment made me realize even more that these children in Uganda have nothing if we do nothing. If we don't do anything, they will remain outcasts and grow up in the gutter. And how wonderful it is that we at Kinderhulp Afrika can help these children to have a fully-fledged position in society. We are grateful to hear stories from children who grew up with us. To hear that they have become a doctor or have ended up in politics. This is exactly why I am committed to Kinderhulp Afrika. I want to bring a bit of justice back into the lives of children who would otherwise have nothing.”

 Xander is married to Stefanie, who has been working at the Kinderhulp Afrika office for 18 years. Together they have three sons.

Invest in a child's future

Would you like to help invest in the children? It's possible! Make a one-time donation or become a friend! As a friend you support Kinderhulp Afrika for a fixed amount per month and you help where necessary. See donation options below.

Here is a short video of ambitious our students: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IztBF8gjzgQ

Donation match alert!

Little by Little Campaign

From April 8-12, when you give up to $50 to support www.globalgiving.org/projects/vulnerable-children-pre-primary-school-uganda/

GlobalGiving will match your generosity at 50% during the Little By Little campaign. 

Help us spread the word: share this post with your family and friends to let them know that BIG change can come from little acts of kindness! 

We hope you have enjoyed reading this update. We will be writing regular reports throughout the year to keep you Up to Date!

Thank you for your support and continued interest. If you can’t give now, we completely understand, and would be grateful if you can help us by sharing the link and telling your friends about the work we are doing and all that we are achieving in Uganda.

Please visit our website for more information and regular updates: https://www.kinderhulp-afrika.nl/en/

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the office via the website or myself personally, jill@kinderhulp-afrika.nl, I would love to hear from you. 

Our motto: “FROM HELPLESS TO HOPEFUL”!

Thank you very much on behalf of all the children!