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By Jeremy Pryer
SITTING in the departure lounge of Victoria airport in
February, 2005, I had no idea of the adventure I was about to begin.
I was part of a team from Friends of Mengo Hospital
(FOMH) Canada, traveling to Kampala, Uganda – to install
dental equipment in a clinic built by FOMH USA. We were
welcomed with great warmth in Uganda.
One day, as we were installing the equipment, a young
woman came into the new clinic and offered her services to recover the
waiting room chairs. This was Sally W’Afrika Orombi – adopted
daughter of Henry Orombi, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda.
Every day, a steady stream of people had come through
the new clinic to express their gratitude, almost to the point of it being
embarrassing; so I thought nothing of meeting Sally. But it was the start
of a relationship that would change the lives of my entire family.
A year passed, and I was back at Mengo performing
maintenance – and feeling I should have brought my wife Linda this
time. We had been hesitant for her to come, as she suffers from
Fibromyalgia – and we were worried the long flight and the
accommodations would not be good for her.
In September of 2006, FOMH Canada purchased and
shipped an x-ray machine to Mengo. Linda and I thought this was the perfect
opportunity for her to attempt the trip, as we would only be in Uganda for
one week.
Although the flight was extremely hard on her
physically, once we arrived she fell in love with Uganda as I had.
Shortly after we arrived, Sally invited all of
us to her home for dinner. Linda and Sally connected immediately; this was
to be the beginning of our new calling.
King’s Daughters is a ministry run by
Sally. She provides a home for at-risk young women in Uganda. Women in
Africa are the victims of abuse from a very young age, and Sally gives
girls a safe haven; she provides for their needs, physically – and,
more important, spiritually.
She shows them they do have worth, and a heavenly
Father who loves them unconditionally. She also does her best to provide
for their education – which gives power to these girls.
Sally is funded by a small sewing business she runs
out of the King’s Daughters garage, and also by donations. They rent
a three bedroom house close to Mengo, and are at full capacity with 24
girls. This was the first time I had seen triple-decker bunk beds –
and believe me, they are crammed in. For dressers, they use
suitcases.
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Once we had met these wonderful girls and heard their
stories, their dreams and their determination to be self-supporting members
of society, we knew this was where God wanted us to be.
On our next trip, in May of 2007, our daughter Angela
and son Adam joined us. Angela is a certified dental assistant, and helped
out at the dental clinic; and Adam helped me with another project at the
Mulago Dental School, as we were modernizing the equipment.
In fall of 2007, Sally was in the U.S. with her
dad. Our church, Brentwood Chapel, held a fundraiser to have Sally fly from
Virginia to Victoria, for some much needed rest.
While in Victoria, Sally spoke at Brentwood Chapel.
The congregation fell in love with her, as we had, and a bond was formed
between her, King’s Daughters and the chapel.
Her time in our home allowed her to be a normal 28
year old. As head of King’s Daughters, she must be the
disciplinarian, counsellor, mother and friend to the girls. She
rarely gets to be 28 years old.
Linda and I, along with Brentwood Chapel, have started
the ‘Adopt a Daughter’ program – where you can make a
connection with a specific daughter, and help support her. There is
no set amount per month, and you contribute as you are able. The cost per
girl for housing, food, medical expenses and basic necessities is about
$120 per month.
Several of the girls are sponsored by individuals or
groups, and some have a sponsor for their education. You can also
contribute to a general fund to cover their expenses.
Each sponsor can communicate with their adopted
daughter by email, and get to know them – their hopes, dreams and
aspirations.
Each and every girl is so grateful for any help they
receive, and do not take it for granted. They realize how fortunate they
are.
Contact: ugandamission2008.blogspot.com
September 2008
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