Mary’s Family, Uganda (FVP Story 2021.38)
God provides in so many ways! This is what Mary’s family, husband, five children, and sister-in-law felt after their first Family Volunteer for Peace project. Mary introduced Family Volunteers for Peace to her family. Her husband found an orphanage for them to visit as their first project. Everyone was excited! They got matching T-shirts, purchased supplies to donate: soap, sugar, flour, and fruit trees to plant with the orphans.
During the visit, the children played with the children of the center, and Mary and her husband spoke with the directors to find out more about the center and its needs. Mary said, “I was touched by how the caretakers endeavor to ensure survival for the orphans.”Their care shows. “We are not alone because God provides in so many ways,” said an orphan at the center.
Mary and Ismael handed off their donations to the children with words of hope and encouragement. They concluded their visit by planting one of the fruit trees on the center’s grounds.
Mary’s son, Abdul, said, “I have learned that it is good to give or share the little someone has or can give”.Daughter Aiza, 4, said, “I loved the visit and enjoyed the fun with other children”.
Mary’s family was inspired to think of the next steps: classes for reading and writing, providing building materials for a new building to accommodate adolescent girls and education and sanitary towels for girls who are starting their menstrual cycles.
The directors were thankful to Mary’s family for providing in so many ways and Mary’s family was grateful to be able to give in so many ways.
Mary further said, “ My family members’ perception changed especially for the children. We should be thankful to God for all that we are given”.