A Ugandan Visitor
Patrick Kunihira, founder of the HUGS sister organization, Pillars of Africa Children's Ministry in Uganda, visited the United States for the first time March 24 through June 6, 2019. During his time in the U.S., Patrick was able to visit several HUGS team members across the country. His trip was sponsored by Susan Burgess, Pillars CEO, as well as some of the HUGS Executive Board members.
While visiting our HUGS VP, Jannie McBride and her family, Patrick was invited to Kayla Hildebrand’s preschool class in Mexico, MO to read a story. Patrick read The Water Princess, about a young girl who dreams of bringing clean drinking water to her African Village. The little girl’s name is GiGi but her parent’s call her Princess GiGi.
The preschool students loved hearing what children in Africa do in school each day and Patrick shared a YouTube clip of Pillars of Africa Children’s choir singing. The preschool children were excited to see how well the choir sang together with very few instruments. Then the preschool children sang Patrick a song they were practicing to share with their parents for preschool graduation. Patrick wanted each child to know they are a Prince or Princess because God is our King and even when it doesn’t seem like we may have very much God gives us everything we need.
Child Spotlight
Jackie was orphaned at the age of 8. She was taken in by a woman she called Auntie, who had several children of her own. Jackie was not treated like a member of the family, but was abused and treated more like a servant. One night when Jackie was told to go get water, the line was long and some boys were mistreating her. She went back without the water and her Aunt beat her and threw her out of the house. Jackie slept on the porch until her Aunt ran her off. She wandered the streets until Patrick found her, gave her food to eat and told her about Jesus. After going to the authorities, Jackie was allowed to live at Pillars and Patrick and Madinah became her parents. Jackie loves school and is doing well.
Funding Goals
Our Quarter 2 Funding Goal of $1,800 for school tuition was met thanks to your generosity! Congregations and individual supporters in Alabama, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan and New Hampshire all welcomed Patrick with open hearts and donated both in person and on the HUGS website to meet the need. All 45 children are attending good schools and are learning Mathematics, English, and the other subjects needed to succeed in life and break the cycle of poverty. In addition, Patrick and Madinah make sure the children learn about Jesus and His love for them.
Our Quarter 3 Funding Goal is $1,350 for clothing and shoes for the children. Many of them have outgrown their shoes and their clothing, or their clothes are simply worn out. Any funds raised beyond the funding goal, will go towards basic needs such as toothpaste, laundry soap, and food.
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