Consider Sponsoring A Rafiki Child

Please read this letter from Sara Kiwanuka, the director and founder of Rafiki Africa Ministries and take some time to pray about sponsoring a child.

It costs $35 a month and makes a huge difference in the lives of orphans in Uganda.

When I was in Uganda this past summer, I will never forget the day that two of the girls got letters from their sponsors.  They carried them around with them and even slept with their letters in their beds.  They showed me the picture of the sponsoring family, and I asked who was in the photo.  The answer?  "My family."

Please contact sara@rafikiministries.org if you are interested in sponsoring a child or click here to learn more about the Rafiki children.

Dear Friends, 

I pray that everyone had a good Thanksgiving! I have lots to be thankful for this year. I was recently reminded of this verse by a friend, "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever" (1st Chronicles 16:34). Don't you just love this verse? It really reminds us of God's goodness and never ending love for us! We have so much to be thankful for! We serve a GREAT God! :) 

During this time of thanksgiving, I am reminded of our faithful financial supporters. Thank you for your unwavering support....even through hard economic times! We would not be able to help these children without your love and concern. Thank you for being faithful in your giving and prayers. During the month of December, will you be faithful with us again and stand with us in praying for more monthly child sponsors? We would love to reach our goal of 100 monthly sponsors.

It currently takes 8-10 sponsors at each sponsor giving $35/month to support ONE child in the home. We currently have 13 children that we are caring for and have roughly 4-5 sponsors for each child. We would love to double the amount of sponsors that we currently have to reach our goal of 100 monthly supporters. We have a passion to serve these forgotten children. 

Everyday I spend in Uganda, I see children on the streets; children working for food; children receiving no education; children that don't know the love of a family or more importantly that Jesus loves them. God's heart breaks over this and ours should too. We feel that God has a greater plan for the ministry to help more hurting children but unfortunately we have to wait on finances. Finances are what always hold us back. I hate talking about finances and asking for money. But God has shown me His heart and passion to see these children accept Him and have life more abundantly (John 10:10). 

We have not received any new children into the home this past year. We are busting at the seams in our current home but don't have the resources to expand. I have been discouraged this past week as we have only received 1 new child sponsor during the last few months. However, God continues to remind me that He is faithful! I stand in obedience and faith knowing that He will continue to provide and expand the ministry to serve more children! 

God blessed Joseph and I with a vision that someday the ministry will own 100-150 acres of land with many children's homes, schools, medical facilities, vocational training, farming and animals, and even a soccer field for the kids to play on. He has blessed us with this vision but we are always unsure of how we will get there. Somedays the vision seems too BIG and we question how God will take us there. Thankfully we serve an AWESOME God where anything is possible! 

Prayerfully consider sponsoring a child this Christmas season! Help a Ugandan child know the true story of Christmas and Christ's love for us! If you are interested in more information about our sponsorship program and how it works, then please let me know.  

   

Blessings, 

Sara Hamilton Kiwanuka 

Director/Founder

Rafiki Africa Ministries

Kampala, Uganda

African Crafts for Sale!

Mama Sara is in Texas with Baby Abby, and Joseph will be arriving next week!

The Kiwanukas will be speaking at churches and doing fundraising for Rafiki Africa Ministry while they are stateside. 

One fun way to support the ministry is through purchasing African Crafts!  We will be selling hand made African crafts made by local women in Uganda at craft shows in the Austin, Texas area to raise money to support the Rafiki Home in Kampala Uganda.  100% of the proceeds will be used to help support orphaned and destitute children in Uganda.  We will be selling a variety of crafts such as baskets, wallets, purses, scarves, jewelry, dolls, etc.  Please come out to support the Rafiki Home!

Listed below are the upcoming craft shows where African crafts will be available.  

If you don't live in Texas, don't worry!  Did you know that Rafiki has an online store?  I love technology, don't you??  To shop online, click here or go to www.rafikiministries.org and click on "shop". 

Craft Show Schedule

Christmas Spectacular

First Baptist Church Georgetown

Georgetown, Texas

Thursday, November 8th:  9am-5pm 

Friday, November 9th:  9am-6pm  

Saturday, November 10th: 9am-3pm 

Bethany Lutheran Marketplace

3701 Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX

Saturday, November 10th: 9am-4pm 

Conally High School Holiday Bazaar in Pflugerville, Texas

Saturday, November 17th: 9am-3pm 

Cedar Park High School Holiday Bazaar in Cedar Park, Texas

Saturday, November 17th: 10am-4 pm           

 

Jingle Bell House

2701 Bear Springs Trail, Austin, Texas 78748                                                                             

Thursday, November 29th: 9:30am-8pm 

Friday, December 1st: 9:30am-7pm                                 

Saturday, December 2nd: 9:30am-4pm      

                                                                                                        

Open House – Frank and Jo Hamilton’s Home

803 West Noton Street, Pflugerville, TX

Saturday, December 1st: 10am-2pm              

Christmas Market , Sponsored  by Austin Stone Church

For the City Center – 500 East St. Johns Avenue Austin, TX 78752

Saturday, December 1st: 10am-7pm 

Little Rina Nursery and Primary School

Auntie Laura, a volunteer from this past summer, is a kindergarten teacher in Minnesota.  She is currently teaching her class about communities and community helpers.  Laura made this video to show her class and teach them about school communities in Uganda.  She uses video and pictures from Little Rina Nursery and Primary School, where the Rafiki kids attend.  We thought it might be fun for you to see a little bit about where our kids go to school.  

Laura's disclaimer: I made this for five and six year olds, so please don't judge the types of things I say in the video, like "What do you see in this classroom that is the same as in your classroom?"  Even though it is a little cheesy, I think you'll enjoy seeing it!

A Summer at Rafiki

One of our summer missionaries made this little movie about her summer in Uganda.

Check it out to see some cute pictures and video of our Rafiki kids.

If you are praying about coming as a short term missionary, this will give you a good taste of what your experiences will be like.

Water Day!

The kids LOVED having a water day this past weekend. The summer missionaries planned some fun water games. The children were soaking wet by the end of the afternoon, but dried quickly in the hot African sun. The afternoon was filled with giggles, shrieks of joy, and laughter.

Welcome to our Blog

Welcome to the Rafiki Africa Ministries blog.  We are so excited to be able to share with you what God is doing at our children's home in Kampala, Uganda.  Check back often to hear what the kids are up to. 

In the meantime, here is a little bit about our ministry:
Rafiki Africa Ministries is a children’s home in Kampala, Uganda that ministers to the orphaned, destitute and vulnerable children of Uganda.  The ministry exists to raise up the next generation of Christian leaders with Biblical morals and values. 

Currently there are twelve children residing in the Rafiki home and a thirteenth who is receiving care at a special needs boarding school.  The children are being raised in a family style home and are enrolled in a local school.  While the older kids go to school, the three youngest stay home in the morning, enjoying activities, games, lessons, and toys.  The Ugandan staff works hard day in and day out to provide healthy meals, a safe and clean environment, as well as the loving support the children need to grow in Jesus.  In addition to the full time staff, Rafiki Africa Ministries welcomes in short term missionaries to spend time helping care for the children; including planning activities, teaching Bible lessons, and helping to cook, clean, and care for the home. 

The founders, Sara and Joseph Kiwanuka, have a heart to not only help the children at Rafiki home, but also to help the surrounding community by connecting volunteers with other children’s homes, clinics, schools, and building projects. 

This ministry cannot exist without the support of many people who donate their time and finances to make this important work possible.  One unique way that Rafiki Africa Ministries is able fundraise is through Rafiki Adventures, which is a safari business that gives people a chance to experience the wildlife of Africa.  The trips can be tailored to individuals, groups or couples, and can also include a volunteer opportunity to serve the local community.

The current group of short-term missionaries has been incredibly impressed by the dedicated care the full time staff provides for the children.  The missionaries have seen the way the children’s lives have been transformed since joining the Rafiki family.  They feel very blessed to have had this opportunity and really appreciate the hospitality and love of the staff to make them feel at home during their stay in Uganda.