How I’ve Tried to Help Build a Future for Uganda’s Forgotten Children in Kagoma by Mark Edgington

Children outside of Foundation of Hope, sharing a meal

In a remote village in Uganda called Kagoma, where poverty is the daily reality and opportunities are scarce, something remarkable is taking shape. What started as a small local mission to care for vulnerable children has grown into a lifeline for hundreds. It’s a story of community, resilience, and the power of investing in dignity and self-reliance.

A Mission Rooted in Community

I first learned about Kagoma through Ndifuna Johnson, a minister and community elder who knows the struggles of that region firsthand. He reached out to me through Facebook, of all places, asking for help to build an orphanage for the kids in his hometown.

Ndifuna grew up in Kagoma without access to education or basic resources, yet he found a way out — and then chose to come back and break the cycle for others. In 2015, Ndifuna founded Foundation of Hope Uganda, a grassroots children’s home serving orphans and vulnerable youth.

Children and adults building the orphanage together from the ground up

Building Trust and Support

When I heard his story, I felt compelled to help. But I didn’t jump in blindly. I sent a trusted contact to meet Ndifuna and verify the mission. That was important to me — to make sure the help would reach the right hands and create real, lasting impact.

Empowering Rather Than Enabling

Over the years, I’ve supported Foundation of Hope Uganda as their primary fundraiser and donor. Together, we’ve secured land, built a permanent orphanage, and helped provide food, clothing, medical care, and education to more than 500 children. But this isn’t just charity — it’s about empowering a community to build something sustainable. The goal isn’t dependency, but independence.

I believe these kids deserve shelter from life’s storms and the chance to stand on their own. It’s better that they have the positive attention of caring adults, rather than the neglect or harm so many vulnerable children face.

Children in front of the newly created “Foundation of Hope,” holding a sign

A Personal Commitment to Service

My involvement in this work is deeply personal. I made serious mistakes as a young person — mistakes I live with every day. Supporting the children in Kagoma is part of my commitment to make amends by giving back where it matters most. It’s a humble effort, grounded in the belief that every child deserves dignity and hope.

A Growing Impact

Today, Foundation of Hope Uganda has grown beyond just a children’s home — it’s now a school, a church, and a community center. The Ugandan government has recognized their work for reducing abuse and improving literacy in a region too often overlooked. The vision is clear: a future where no child in Kagoma has to face poverty or neglect alone.

Supporting this mission means supporting education, care, and long-term opportunity. It’s about helping break cycles of poverty through practical training and hope.

Certificates of recognition for the Foundation of Hope from the Ugandan government.

Looking Ahead

I may never meet the children whose lives we’ve touched. But I know this: when we step up to serve with sincerity and humility, we help build a foundation that lasts.

To support the ongoing work in Kagoma, visit Foundation of Hope Uganda:https://foundationofhopeug.wixsite.com/home

Every contribution helps provide children with a better chance at life — education, shelter, and hope.

This article also appears on https://medium.com/@edgington.teams