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When Peter and Sharon Georges were working as missionaries in Uganda in 2003, they made a decision
that seemed minor at the time, but would have far-reaching consequences. They agreed to pay school
fees for two orphans who were living with an elderly grandmother. When they returned to Uganda in
2005, they learned that there were now nine children living with the old woman in a deteriorating mud
hut wedged between a main road and a swamp. There were more grandchildren living nearby, some with
a single ailing parent, some with other relatives. Within weeks the two became thirteen. It wasn't long
before other situations presented themselves: a family of five kids living completely on their own; a little
girl abandoned to a neighbor; children living with HIV-positive single parents; and many more.
As the number of sponsored children increased and Peter and Sharon became more involved with their
education, they realized that there was more to it than school fees, uniforms, lunches and books. As in
the case of the grandmother’s orphans, miserable living conditions seriously affect a child’s ability to
learn as well as jeopardize their general health. In response, their assistance became more extensive:
improved living quarters, beds, mattresses, sheets, blankets, mosquito nets, shoes, food staples, and
health care. Although the cash outflow was now exceeding their modest missionary stipend, they
proceeded in faith. As word of their efforts spread, people of good will began to ask how they could
help. Thus was born the St. Nicholas Uganda Children’s Fund. The Fund, now in its seventh year, is
supporting more than 275 children in school, and provides additional assistance to a number of needy
families.
Peter and Sharon retired as missionaries in 2007 and devoted themselves full-time to the work of the
Children’s Fund.
that seemed minor at the time, but would have far-reaching consequences. They agreed to pay school
fees for two orphans who were living with an elderly grandmother. When they returned to Uganda in
2005, they learned that there were now nine children living with the old woman in a deteriorating mud
hut wedged between a main road and a swamp. There were more grandchildren living nearby, some with
a single ailing parent, some with other relatives. Within weeks the two became thirteen. It wasn't long
before other situations presented themselves: a family of five kids living completely on their own; a little
girl abandoned to a neighbor; children living with HIV-positive single parents; and many more.
As the number of sponsored children increased and Peter and Sharon became more involved with their
education, they realized that there was more to it than school fees, uniforms, lunches and books. As in
the case of the grandmother’s orphans, miserable living conditions seriously affect a child’s ability to
learn as well as jeopardize their general health. In response, their assistance became more extensive:
improved living quarters, beds, mattresses, sheets, blankets, mosquito nets, shoes, food staples, and
health care. Although the cash outflow was now exceeding their modest missionary stipend, they
proceeded in faith. As word of their efforts spread, people of good will began to ask how they could
help. Thus was born the St. Nicholas Uganda Children’s Fund. The Fund, now in its seventh year, is
supporting more than 275 children in school, and provides additional assistance to a number of needy
families.
Peter and Sharon retired as missionaries in 2007 and devoted themselves full-time to the work of the
Children’s Fund.
| Our History |
| Click below to learn about: |
| ©2008-2011 St. Nicholas Uganda Children's Fund |
| The St. Nicholas Uganda Children's Fund has received the endorsement and blessing of His Beatitude JONAH, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada (OCA). |
| The St. Nicholas Uganda Children’s Fund is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. |
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