Nafasi Uganda

History:

In 2017, María, the founder started traveling to Uganda and fell in love with the country, but most of all, with the children. Since then, she would return whenever she could, knowing that once she finished her studies, she would move there permanently.

A year and a half ago, she finally managed to make that move, and during this time, the inspiration for this project emerged: Peace.

She met her in 2018 while volunteering at her school, and from that moment, they formed a very special bond. Peace had been abandoned by her parents at that school, where years later, following a traumatic incident that resulted in pregnancy, she was expelled from the center. From that point on, she lived in extremely difficult conditions, struggling to survive with her daughter.

5 years later, upon learning about her situation, María knew they both deserved a chance for Peace to continue her studies and secure a future for her daughter. She managed to enrol Peace in a boarding school; however, due to the age difference, she couldn't stay at the same school as her daughter. Her daughter had to attend a different school, and they could only see each other during holidays. Despite the challenges and having missed several years of schooling (even missing the first trimester), Peace worked incredibly hard. Not only did she pass all her classes, but she also did so with high marks.

This was the first case that inspired her to start this project—a home where these two girls could be reunited. But since then, María has met many other children facing difficult circumstances, all of whom deserve a home filled with peace, love, education, and opportunities—everything any child in the world should have.

This story is just a small glimpse of why this project exists. Over the past few years, María received countless signs that this is her life’s mission. Some of these signs have been so clear that she has no doubt that God is guiding her. This vision began to turn into reality thanks to the support of family and friends who have believed in this project as much as she has.

Mission:

The mission of Nafasi Uganda is to improve the quality of life in vulnerable communities in Uganda through programs focused on child protection, education, the promotion of values, mental health and economic independence for individuals.

Everyone at Nafasi Uganda is committed to creating opportunities that allow these children to overcome poverty, develop their full potential and contribute positively to their well-being and that of their communities.

Goals:

To house 6 children, sponsor primary education for 7 children and secondary education for 2 children by the end of 2025. By the end of 2029, the goal is to increase these numbers to 30 children housed, 27 sponsored for primary education and 3 for secondary.

Current and Past activities:

Sponsoring orphaned children who can now live in boarding schools as well as those who, despite being welcomed into homes, live in very precarious conditions. We cover all their expenses, ensuring they also receive a quality education.

Future planned activities:

We are currently fundraising to build a home for these orphaned children and those in at-risk situations where we can provide them with a safe and stable environment, offering them a new family filled with love, values, education and all the emotional support they deserve.

Other activities programmed once the orphanage is built will include a multi-purpose room and housing for volunteers to expand the engagement with the community and the activities with children.