World Vision Uganda celebrates 30 years of transforming communities
By Racheal Ninsiima
On the occasion of launching World Vision Uganda’s (WVU) 30 year anniversary celebrations, symbolic messages from the national director and board members were churned out to staff. Key among these was the call for staff to make a personal decision to own the organization and remain focused on its vision of changing children’s lives. The launch was held under the theme: ‘Working with others to change lives, impact communities.’
Speaking at the launch which was held at the National Office in Kampala, Gilbert Kamanga, the national director, WVU urged staff to shift their focus from challenges such as budget reductions to transformational development.
“Our agility as World Vision Uganda has to be and remain high. I urge each one of you to develop a culture of ownership. Let’s avoid the temptation that we have arrived. Rather, let us work unto the Lord,” he said.
Furthermore, Dr Ekiria Kikure, a WVU board member cautioned staff to always consider their historical footsteps in order to re-energize their energies to achieve more. Reflecting on the 30 year journey, she said WVU hopes to increase transformational possibilities for over six million children in the next five years.
For the launch occasion, the parking ground was emblematically decorated with orange and white, the official colors of World Vision. Enthusiastic praise and worship kick started the day’s activities. This was followed by a rug to riches testimony by John Bosco Lwondo, one of the early beneficiaries of WVU.
HIS STORY
Born into a poverty stricken family to peasant parents, Lwondo learnt the value of hard work early in life. His mother died when he was only 10 years old and his father abandoned them in pursuit for women. A flimsy mud and wattle house is what Lwondo and his four siblings
He (Bosco’s father) only returned home three years later, reeling under the weight of an unknown disease.
“For six months, my father could not walk and I had to bathe and feed him. Then once, while I was giving him warm water which he had requested for, he died,” Lwondo recalls adding that the family had sold most of the land to save his father’s life.
He later learnt that his father succumbed to HIV/AIDS which was ravaging most of Rakai district in the early 1990s.
Confronted with the death of both parents by 13 years, he decided to drop out of school to look after his siblings, one of who was crippled and another, severely stunted. Going without food on some days, this child headed family would feed on jackfruit seeds. To make ends meet, he dug in people’s gardens and all he earned was a somewhat decent meal.
WVU OFFERS OLIVE BRANCH
When WVU started emergency response services in HIV stricken Rakai, Lwondo was lucky to be given an opportunity to return to school.
“You might not know the impact you are causing when you take care of a child, but it is immense. World Vision saw me through primary school and I have never looked back,” Lwondo recalls.
He later enrolled into a secondary school in Kabale for O-Level and then to Kako secondary school in Masaka for A-Level. To raise his tuition, Lwondo sold avocadoes and engaged in part time voluntary work in Rakai. For university education, Lwondo pursued Bachelors in Social Work and Social Administration and later, a Masters in Public Administration.
The university graduate broke the barriers of the corporate ladder when he was hired to work with WVU in Bundibudgyo district. He used his savings to establish several business and charity initiatives which he now boosts of. His empire includes an orphanage, Rakai Orphans Development Initiative which supports 600 orphans; Amazing grace bakery in Rakai and Sango stationers, retail outlets dealing in stationery in Kampala.
“When I see where I came from and what I am now, I can only say Ebenezer!” Lwondo says.
ABOUT THE CELEBRATIONS
WVU’s 30 year celebration will officially be launched on July 28. Various activities have been lined up for the day including entertainment, exhibitions and speeches.