Charles lives in Uganda. He is his mother's fourth child. His siblings all have different fathers and no one knows exactly who they are. It soon became clear that his mother could not take care of the four children, so Charles went to live with his siblings at an aunt's house. The house was crowded, but the years with auntie were relatively good.
An orphan without hope
When the aunt died, all the children had to live with a grandmother. At that time, she was already taking care of other children and could not really take these children with her. There was rarely enough food and no money for school. Moreover, the government forced everyone to leave for refugee camps because they could not protect the people in northern Uganda from the rebel army. Things did not look good for Charles; there was no hope for a future.
Hope Alive staff found Charles at the camp. Thanks to sponsorship money, he was able to go back to school. He completed training as a plumber, married Rebecca and had a baby daughter, but he could not find a steady job to support his family.
A new beginning
When Charles heard about Hope Alive's Man Up programme, he did not hesitate for a moment. Here he received a 12-week Bible study, 10-week entrepreneurial training and a microcredit to start a business. Together with his wife, he opened a small sewing workshop. Charles and Rebecca now have six children. He lives and works on Hope Alive's farm as a manager and trainer, and last year he was appointed assistant pastor at the local church.
Planting trees in the desert
The farm where Charles works was set up to help farming families earn a better income while protecting the environment. Large-scale deforestation has had a major negative impact on the environment in recent decades, as well as on agricultural yields in the area. Local forests and trees around the farms are cut down for firewood and charcoal for cooking. They organise various trainings, such as planting trees for charcoal production, planting a food forest and keeping bees.
Each family that attended the bee training was given three hives with bees. Selling honey provides income, but the bees are also important for crops and a healthy ecosystem. Other families planted a thousand saplings that can later be used as firewood and for making charcoal. The wood they have left over they can sell. Still other families have planted a hundred different fruit trees. In the future, the fruit will combat malnutrition among children in the area. The surplus is sold in the market, providing an income.
A beacon of hope
Thus, from a child without hope, Charles has become a role model in his community. A beacon of hope, sharing the gospel and giving families practical agricultural training. Here, hope for the future grows, with 'returns' for eternity.
Gertjan Flikweert works as a missionary diaconal worker in northern Uganda. Diaconate supports the work he does.
