Last Updated on July 24, 2025 by Johann Van Rensburg
The 16 new girls, between 4 and 10 years old, arrived at Grace Orphanage on February 13, 2023. They were welcomed by their new sisters and were each assigned a “buddy” to help them feel welcome at their new home. You can read their stories here. After a full health assessment by the local clinic, they were assigned their rooms and very soon were well settled. The next step was school uniforms as the school year had already started. As was the case with our original 34 children, progress at school was not always satisfactory. That is understandable, considering the trauma many of these kids have experienced. Our teacher at the women’s reading program is now working with the girls after school to help with school support.
Sponsorships Needed for the 16 Girls
Each child is given a bed to sleep in, 3 nutritious meals per day, medical care, school fees and supplies, after-school teacher access, and regular outings with the family. This all costs money and we are in need of sponsors to help us cover the ongoing costs of caring for these special children. Please partner with us to change lives. You can Become A Sponsor Today.
Reading Program Progress
The 10 women in our Learning Program are now in month 4 of the reading module, and the first evaluation is showing good progress. Two of our older girls at Grace Orphanage, Chanse and Eliza, are helping the women by providing coaching after classroom time. The business teaching will be added in June as the program expands to 2 hours per day. The vision is that we will be able to help the women with a microloan to start their own businesses after the 9-month learning program has been completed.
Water Challenges
The last 4 years saw very heavy rainfall during the rainy season in Uvira, so much so that lake, estuary, and river levels are at an all-time high. The Grace Orphanage site is next to the Nyangara estuary and water has started to accumulate on our site. We are in the process of bringing in 100 loads of dirt to fill up around the buildings and living area. Thankfully our local builder insisted on a 2 feet high foundation for all structures, which prevented any damage to the structures.
From Street Kids to University Students
Sadiki was taken into Grace Orphanage at the age of 8. His father was captured by soldiers while hunting. His mother went to look for her husband and was never seen again. Sadiki was in a desperate state, malnourished, with no family, and without hope when Grace Ministries found him. That was 11 years ago.
His life changed when Grace Orphanage took him in, and through the generosity of our donors, he received a loving home, nutritious food, and an education. He graduated from secondary school in 2020 and is currently studying Business at a local university. His dream is to help at the orphanage with all business activities.
Nyemya did not know much of her history when Grace Orphanage found her on the street 10 years ago. She lost both parents in a tribal conflict.
Now Nyemya is studying Community Health and Development and hopes to serve the community around Grace Orphanage when she qualifies.