Acres of Hope FAQ's
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Why support Acres of Hope Uganda?
- Acres of Hope has a unique approach to caring for orphans and vulnerable children. Acres of Hope Uganda was founded by Pastor Geoffrey, who grew up in similar conditions to the kids he now helps (orphaned, hungry, and lacking money for school fees). His past affords him the opportunity to create bright futures. The children live in family settings and the school employs nurturing teachers and class sizes are small. Acres of Hope is a loving community, not an institution.
Acres of Hope is operated by Ugandan people who know the culture, understand needs, and are prepared to navigate tragedy to witness triumph. By meeting basic needs, providing high quality education, and equipping the students with technical skills, health returns, healing begins, and hope is restored.
The community is also focused on becoming self-sustaining. This is unique approach for charitable organizations in the developing world. In addition to child development, Acres of Hope is creating locally owned businesses and teaching skills beyond the classroom to the children.
How did Acres of Hope Uganda start?
- Acres of Hope started with Odongo Geoffrey Keronga, a lifelong resident of Northern Uganda. He is a pastor, husband, and father. Over 200 children and young adults call him "Dad". His faith and relationship with the Lord can be compared to that of Noah. When he began planning Acres of Hope, people thought he was crazy. Locals told him it wasn't possible, but Geoffrey carried on. His vision for Acres of Hope grew out of his own experiences. Geoffrey knew that God allowed him to survive an awful childhood so that he could help hundreds, if not thousands of other orphans and vulnerable children, know the love of Christ and live a better life. Geoffrey is an example of what it means to be selfless, compassionate, faithful, determined, patient, and incorruptible. He is a man after God's own heart.
Can I see a copy of Acres of Hope International’s most recent audited financial statement?
What percentage of expenditures are spent on program activities?
What is Acres of Hope Uganda?
Where is Acres of Hope Uganda located?
How much does it cost to sponsor a child?
How long should my child sponsorship last?
If I must discontinue my child sponsorship, what happens to the child I'm helping?
Will I be the only person sponsoring the child I'm helping?
What specific benefits will the child I sponsor receive?
- The child you sponsor will receive opportunities and services that most of the world's poorest children never see. These opportunities and services include:
Basic Needs, Healthcare, and Emotional Support
Five houses provide homes for over 70 of the most vulnerable children in Nebbi, Uganda. These homes were funded by generous donors in the United States through Williamson’s Chapel United Methodist Church and West United Methodist Church in Mooresville, North Carolina as well as ONE Less Ministries in Smyrna, Tennessee. Each home houses between 8 and 20 children and one matron or patron. The caretakers ensure that the children are fed and healthy. They form appropriate emotional and social bonds, helping the children to cope with their past, and look forward to their future. The children have responsibilities, but they no longer have to skip school to find food or fetch water.
The students who do not live at Acres of Hope receive breakfast and lunch while at school. Many of them live with guardians who receive support from Acres of Hope in the form of basic necessities like food as well as livestock and gardening supplies to aid in the production of a local income.
Education
The high dropout rate in Uganda is primarily because survival takes priority over education, and most of the time, school fees are simply not available. Acres of Hope Nursery and Primary School serves the children who live at Acres of Hope as well as others who live in the community. Approximately 150 students attend AOH School in Nebbi, and an additional 70 students attend the campus in Pakwach.
Acres of Hope children attend the Acres of Hope schools from Nursery through Primary 7 (which marks the end of elementary school). The children then attend secondary (high) schools throughout Uganda. The best secondary schools in Uganda are boarding schools so many AoH students attend school in the bigger cities of Arua and Kampala.
Sponsorship and Relationships
While Geoffrey and his team in Uganda do most of the leg work, child sponsorship has provided a way for hundreds of people to partner with Acres of Hope. For $50 a month, individuals can sponsor a child, providing school fees, school uniforms, healthcare, food, and other basic needs. The sponsors then get to communicate with their child through e-mail and physical letters. This relationship has proved to motivate the students to excel in their studies, knowing they have the support of their sponsor. Many of the students refer to their sponsor as Mom or Dad, and the joy they experience when they receive a letter is infectious.
What is an Acres of Hope sponsor?
As a sponsor, how else can I learn about the child I am helping?
How can I communicate with the child I sponsor?
Will my child write to me?
How does Acres of Hope International ensure that my support actually benefits the child I sponsor?
Are my contributions to Acres of Hope International, including my child sponsorship support and gifts, tax-deductible?
May I send gifts to my child?