Rapha's House for Orphans & Homeless Children....
Filled to the Brim
Rapha's House: front with porch and girl's wing to the left.
We Rapha's House, the group home for orphans and vulnerable children of Mustard Seed Academy, sits on the 13-acre campus of the primary and secondary schools. The home is full with 60 orphans living in 4 large bedrooms, two in a girls' wing, and two in a boys' wing. The central area of the house is a large gathering space where students eat, study and socialize. In the bedrooms are double and triple bunk beds equipped with mosquito nets. For most of the children, these are the first beds they have ever slept in. Most come from situations where children sleep on floor mats and experience the related risks of rats, insects and microbial infection. But not any more!
Two matrons living in the house care for the children, and Tree of Life general manager George Kateregga lives in a new home right next door. A wonderful description of life at Rapha's House is provided by volunteer Deanna McMillian who visited several times, slept over one night, and actually spent many hours forming friendships with the children. Her article is featured in our newsletter, Partners' Progress of November 2012.
Two matrons living in the house care for the children, and Tree of Life general manager George Kateregga lives in a new home right next door. A wonderful description of life at Rapha's House is provided by volunteer Deanna McMillian who visited several times, slept over one night, and actually spent many hours forming friendships with the children. Her article is featured in our newsletter, Partners' Progress of November 2012.
Boarding students gather in the central room which is used for dining, study & socializing. Doors to the matrons' apartments are in the rear.
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The all-purpose central room is a great place for performing, too. Girls show visitors their song and dance numbers
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The children receive two meals per day at school and supper is served at the home. The cook provides all meals on the weekends and term breaks. The temporary kitchen (below), is built in the traditional stick and mud style sits in back of the house. The children change into teal casual clothes when they come home so they can wash their school uniforms.
Temporary stick and mud kitchen where food is prepared for children at Rapha's House
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Rapha's House sign & dedication near the front door
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Every Child Wants to Live at Rapha's House....??????
American volunteers Marsha Gillespie, Lee Whitton, and Jackie Sarner visit a girls' room at Rapha's House.
In many respects SAC Family children live under better conditions than their classmates whose homes are in the town. At Rapha's House there is safety, a bed, dependable meals, loving adult supervision, and a family of other
children. None of these things would be guaranteed in the homes of poor children in Lukaya. It is hard to believe, but in rural Uganda, student boarding is much preferred by nearly everyone. We wish it were affordable. Click here to learn more.....
A New Boy's Residence is on the Horizon:
We need room and a separate facility for older boys in 2014. Plans are being drawn up now, and we are looking for donors....Please click here to learn more
We need room and a separate facility for older boys in 2014. Plans are being drawn up now, and we are looking for donors....Please click here to learn more
The Bottom Line: Sponsorships are vital for helping poor children....
Children at Rapha's House have experienced heart-breaking losses in their lives, including the death of parents, exploitation by adults, and desertion. They have few options left for a decent life. They love being in the "boarding section" of MSA. When we are in Lukaya we get many requests, usually slipped to us as notes by day students wanting to join them.
Sponsorships are necessary for each child in the home. Imagine if it only cost 1 US dollar per day to support an American child! Here in Uganda, it's possible. A yearly sponsorship that covers boarding expenses is just $370. And if the school fees are included, the total is $610 per year or $51/month through Paypal. Please go to our Donate page by....clicking here.....
Go Back to the Home Page.......
Sponsorships are necessary for each child in the home. Imagine if it only cost 1 US dollar per day to support an American child! Here in Uganda, it's possible. A yearly sponsorship that covers boarding expenses is just $370. And if the school fees are included, the total is $610 per year or $51/month through Paypal. Please go to our Donate page by....clicking here.....
Go Back to the Home Page.......