Uganda (MNN) — Human trafficking, disabilities, and AIDS prevent many Ugandan children from staying in school.
Today we begin part one of a two-part story about Set Free Ministries’ work in Uganda with Christian schools.
(Photo courtesy of Set Free Ministries)
In Uganda, many children are sexually abused. Witch doctors are one of the leading culprits in the increase in sexual abuse and the spread of AIDS. Yet, they are the only option many East Africans have to receive medical treatment.
HIV.Gov reports 19.6 million people are infected with AIDS in eastern and southern Africa. Many of those infected are children who became infected either from their mothers or from witch doctors.
Dean Vader Mey from Set Free Ministries reports 90 percent of children who are taken to a witch doctor to receive treatment are sexually abused.
Tomorrow, we will look at the impact this abuse has on children and communities in Africa. We’ll also tell you how God is setting people free from sexual trauma.
Receiving an Education
Set Free is currently working to build Light Academy High School and Vocational Center. They already have a primary school and sponsor several high schools.
Currently, 350 students graduate every year from Set Free sponsored schools, but there are many who don’t have that opportunity.
Vander Mey says, “We want to have an opportunity for these children to become disciples of Christ from age five until 19.” By opening their doors to older students as well, Set Free is supporting even those who have had delays in their educations.
At Light Academy, students will receive a Christian education and learn both household skills and career skills.
(Photo courtesy of Set Free Ministries)
Vander Mey says, “We want every one of our young people to know how to do jobs so that when they leave the high school, they can be gainfully employed immediately. So the girls will know how to do hair, how to sew, how to cook, and they’ll know how to grow their own food…. We’re going to have a whole lot of occupations that they can choose from.”
It’s especially important to keep children in Uganda in school after they graduate from local primary schools. When girls graduate from school at 12 or 13, they are often sold into human trafficking due to extreme poverty in the region.
At Light Academy, these students have a chance to grow in Christ and learn skills to support themselves.
New School Buildings
Vader Mey explains they have a goal is to raise five million for this new school in four years by increasing the school a grade at a time.
(Photo courtesy of Set Free Ministries)
Once Light Academy is completed, it will be a boarding school — ready to house and provide basic resources to orphans and other children who desperately need it.
Vander Mey says, “This is going to be the future of these children. This is going to be a boarding school for 1,200 children who, right now, don’t have any hope or future when it comes to having a good Christian education.”
They currently have several buildings already built and are ready to begin construction on more buildings in January 2020.
If you would like to donate funds to build the high school, click here!
Another way to get involved is by sponsoring a child. For just $20 a month, or 65 cents a day you can help provide a Christian education as well as clothe and feed a child. This is an opportunity to change their lives and their eternities with the Word of God.
Finally, continue to pray for these children. Pray they have the opportunity to go to school and receive an education. Pray for those who have AIDS or are at risk for human trafficking in East Africa.
Join us tomorrow as we take a deeper look at witch doctors in East Africa and how God is working in these communities.
Header photo courtesy of Set Free Ministries.
