The Challenge
The biggest challenge in Kampala is breaking the cycle of poverty in families.

Impoverished families need food, housing, school fees, and health care. Something as simple as a mosquito net can save lives from the devastating effects of malaria, but mosquito nets are usually an 'extra' that families cannot afford. Many parents suffer from poor health that prevents them from working steadily in order to provide their families with even the bare essentials.

A Solution for Some
The 'Caring Hands Network' in Kampala, Uganda, is an organization of volunteers started by Milla Happonen, a Finnish Canadian missionary. The organization responds to many needs in the community. They have provided wheelchairs, sewing machines, dental care, funeral costs, clothing, food, medical assistance and much more. Here's one example of how Caring Hands responded to a need:

Moses is a 16 year old boy who is raising his sister, 14 years old, his brother, 12, and nephew, 4. Their mother passed away due to AIDS. Their father died a few years earlier. 'Caring Hands Network' heard that Nicholas (the 4 year old) was sick with a high fever, and that the other children had nothing to eat. Volunteers took them to a clinic where the boy was treated for malaria. That night they were able to sleep under new mosquito nets and enjoy a good meal. Caring Hands Network provided them with enough food for two weeks, and will be keeping a watch on this young, struggling family.

Daily, children and adults in Kampala are assisted as Caring Hands Network volunteers respond to needs. Click on 'Real People, Real Stories' and meet some of those who benefit from this service of love.

Recently, Milla trained 34 impoverished women to make beautiful beads from recycled paper. The resulting jewelry is stunning! There are many women waiting to learn this craft, and as the market increases, so more will be trained and additional families will be blessed with a sustainable income and hope for a future.

Not only do these women benefit from the money raised by making the beads, but a portion of the income also enables Caring Hands Network to increase their response to the needs of others in the community.

Click on 'Real People, Real Stories' to meet some of these crafters, and read their stories.