El Shadai Family Foster Home is registered under Rejoice Outreach International-Uganda, an indigenous charity or a non- governmental organization (NGO) registered as a COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATION (CBO) by the ministry of youth, gender and community Development.
About El Shadai
El Shadai currently offers shelter, compassion, counseling, and support in a safe family-type environment to approximately 30 children, with ages ranging from 2 years to 19 years. The children come from different tribal and geographical backgrounds, but all share similar history of poverty, neglect, abuse, and abandonment. Despite the horrific past many have endured, they face a promising future. All children are currently attending school and the eldest in the family has recently completed his first year at the prestigeous Mekere University in Kampala.
Stephen Wante, whom people lovingly call “Uncle Stephen,” is the founder/ parent/ director of El Shadai Family Foster Home. Stephen, an orphan himself, despite all odds and with some help from very caring people, was able get an education. When Stephen graduated from college, he realized that the best way he could thank those who helped him— was by helping others who shared a similar struggle. With this determination, he took on the responsibility to care and educate for street children and orphans whose parents had been victim of AIDS and faced rejection by the society.
El Shadai Family Foster Home is located in Bugembe, a typical peri-urban in Jinja district, one of the 56 districts of Uganda. Jinja lies in southeastern Uganda and covers an area of 677 square kilometers. Much of the district borders lake Victoria with almost 500,000 inhabitants living in rural areas. Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world. The over looming civil war in the Northern region and the AIDS endemic has consdierably added to the deprivation of the population.
There are more than 2 million orpahns (18 and under) and 50% of the Ugandan population are below the age of 15 accoding to the CIA factbook. There are many orphanages and organizations established to help the children of Uganda. However, the complexity and the immensity of the problem leave much to be desired.
What makes El Shadai unique comparing to all other foster homes and orphanages in Uganda is that, it is set up much like a home. The children of El Shadai are all siblings under one roof. They all share duties and household chores. They cook their own meals and take care of the home they live in. Until recently, the children had access to a "family garden" (10 acres of land) which they tended and grew corn, beans, vegetables and sugarcane. Stephen believes this to be imperitive in the children's upbringng as it teaches them how to farm and thus to live a sustainable life.
Stephen’s goal is to send each child to college and see that they get good jobs and thus live a respectable life in the society. Stephen, who is only 29 years old, is endowed with the wisdom and patience of a loving parent. He has nothing but good intentions and love for these children Stephen strongly agrees that it is not just important to fulfill the children’s basic needs, ie: food, shelter and education; but also their emotional needs. As a trained and experienced counselor, Stephen dedicates much of his time listening and understanding the children. If you get to know the children of El Shadai you will find them happy, well cared for and extremely loved.
It is not easy to meet the growing needs of 35 + children. There are books and uniforms to be bought and medical and rental expenses to pay for. Especially with some children nearing college, the task becomes even more daunting. Stephen desperately is seeking for donors and volunteers to help him.
A dollar goes a long way in Uganda. $300 dollars pays for a child’s one year education at primary level. We may not be able to save all the children of the world, but we can definitely make a huge difference in the lives of these wonderful children of El Shadai. Please check our sponsor link for children’s profiles and sponsorship form. If you would like to volunteer at El Shadai and treat yourself to a life changing experience, please visit our volunteer page.
