“Kinship” isn’t just a word in our name—it’s at the heart of everything we do. It’s a feeling, a connection, a sense of belonging. And when an orphan or widow feels forgotten and alone, your support steps in to say, “You matter. You’re loved. You belong.”
Because of you, they find a new family, a true community, and the comforting truth that they’re not alone anymore.
Just like Flavia did.
A Childhood Lost
Flavia’s childhood wasn’t a childhood at all. At just three years old, she lost her mother. And two years after that, her father followed, leaving her adrift in a world that didn’t seem to care.
Can you imagine a five-year-old losing the two most important people in her life? The fear, the heartbreak, and the disorientation that child would feel. It would be easy for anyone – adult or child – in that position to break down and give up.
But here’s the thing: Flavia wasn’t just anyone. Inside her, buried beneath the grief and the loneliness, was a spark—a flicker of light that refused to be snuffed out.
Passed from one reluctant home to another, she was a guest in a world that never welcomed her. Yet, that spark? It held on. It whispered to her that this wasn’t the end—that her story was only just beginning.
Finding Kinship, Finding Herself
The Kyengera Kinship Project pastor discovered Flavia’s situation. When he looked at Flavia, he didn’t see a broken child or a lost cause. No, he saw what the world couldn’t: potential, strength, a future aching to be unlocked. Together, they made their way to Kyengera, a sanctuary where hope wasn’t just a word but a living, breathing reality.
At her new home, Flavia didn’t just find a roof over her head or food in her belly—though she got those too, a warm bed and nourishment that filled her with strength. No, what she found was so much bigger.
She found herself.
For the first time, she was seen, heard, valued. She stepped into a world of possibilities—education, community, a chance to dream—and something miraculous happened. That little girl, once a shadow, began to bloom. She discovered her voice, her passion, her purpose.
Her transformation was electric. She found her love for music, and when she sang, her voice didn’t just fill the air—it lifted hearts and sparked joy. Flavia became a confident, compassionate, courageous young woman, a force of nature who’d turned her pain into power.
Lighting the Way
Today, Flavia stands tall—not just as a survivor, but as a beacon. She’s a mentor, a teacher, a guiding light for kids who’ve walked the same rocky paths she once did. When she looks into their eyes, she sees herself—the fear, the hurt, the uncertainty—but she also sees the resilience, the courage, the untapped potential waiting to burst forth.
She’s living proof that no matter where you start, no matter how dark the night, you hold within you the power to rewrite your story, to rise above the ashes, and to light the way for others.
Flavia’s journey isn’t over—it’s evolving, expanding, a ripple of hope and healing that’s touching. She’s a shining reminder that we’re not defined by our circumstances but by what we choose to do with them.
Thank you for opening your heart to children like Flavia once was. Your compassion gives them more than just a second chance—it gives them hope, healing, and the feelings of connection, belonging, and kinship. And as these children begin to thrive, they share that same love with others around them, creating a ripple effect of change in their families and communities.
Because of you, brighter futures are within reach—for them and for those they touch.
Written with Eddie, one of our field team members in Uganda.
