Organization: Children of Uganda

All Photos The mission of Children of Uganda (COU) is to support and empower hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda to lead successful and productive lives. Our vision is that all children in Uganda receive an education to become healthy, productive members of their community who assume leadership roles and positively impact Ugandan society.

Focus Areas:	Arts, Children, Economic Development, Education, Poverty
Countries Served:	Uganda United States

Description of Services:
COU supports two homes in Uganda ? the Sabina Home in Rakai district and a special needs facility called Phillip?s House in Mukono district. The Sabina Home has an attached primary school where orphans and vulnerable children, as well as local community children, receive their primary education. We also provide secondary education and vocational training to older students enrolled in our program. The organization operates a number of programs that provide families affected by HIV/AIDS access to information and treatment support. COU also produces an award-winning dance troupe, featuring children enrolled in its programs, who tour across America to raise funds and increase awareness of HIV/AIDS and its impact on children.
History:
There is an orphan crisis in Uganda. Currently the country is home to nearly 2.4 million children who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS, extreme poverty and civil conflict. In fact, Uganda has the largest orphan population per capita of any country in the world. Established in 1995, Children of Uganda is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works with local non-governmental organizations in Uganda to provide education and support to hundreds of orphans and other disadvantaged children with the goal of helping them become healthy and productive members of society.
Accomplishments & Progress:
We are providing the necessities of life today - shelter, food, clothing, education, and medical care if needed. We are also looking forward and ensuring the children in our care have the life skills necessary to achieve success in their future. Due to a lack of government-subsidized education in Uganda, the population faces an enormous financial barrier to educating its children. Children of Uganda is helping to address this unmet need by providing education and support to AIDS-related orphans and other vulnerable children, while at the same time promoting global awareness of the effects of HIV/AIDS.