CHAIN Foundation
MUKUNO, UGANDA
THE MISSION
The CHAIN (Children's Health Advocacy Initiative Network) Foundation in Mukono, Uganda is a Christian organization dedicated to providing a conducive environment for God’s children to lead an abundant life. Its goal is to help form a society in which the visually impaired and other vulnerable children, such as orphans and abandoned children, have opportunities for growth, development, and self-sustenance.
How It Started
The late Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo
Located in Mukono, 20 kilometers from Kampala, the CHAIN Foundation Uganda orphanage was founded in 2001 by the (at the time) retired Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo in response to the needs of local orphans and children with visual or other impairments. The foundation provides a home for more than 100 orphans and other vulnerable children, offering them shelter and a loving environment.
This Christian-based organization addresses the physical, educational, medical, and spiritual needs of the children, regardless of their religious background or family circumstances. Additionally, the foundation supports at-risk and visually impaired children in nearby communities through various educational programs.
In February 2009, the Martin Nkoyoyo Inclusive School at the CHAIN Foundation was established. It is the first school of its kind in Uganda, integrating blind and sighted children. This model school serves over 300 students from both the orphanage and surrounding villages. The school library features an extensive collection of books, including Braille books for blind students.
"For magnificence, for variety of form and colour, for profusion of brilliant life—bird, insect, reptile, beast—for vast scale—Uganda is truly 'the Pearl of Africa."
- Winston Churchill
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
Uganda, situated astride the equator in East Africa, boasts a rich tapestry of community, culture, and history. About the size of Ohio, Uganda's land-locked landscape is adorned by Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest lake, which forms part of its southern border. This lake births the mighty River Nile, beginning its journey at Jinja, 80km east of the capital city of Kampala. The equatorial proximity blesses Uganda with a tropical climate, characterized by year-round holiday weather with minimal temperature fluctuations.
English serves as the official language, facilitating communication across diverse ethnic groups. Swahili, Luganda, and Rukiga (ROO-CHEE-GAH) are among the other commonly spoken languages, reflecting Uganda's cultural diversity. The national flag, adopted on Independence Day in 1962, symbolizes the nation's identity post-colonial rule. Its six equal horizontal bands of black, yellow, and red represent the resilience of the African people, the radiant Ugandan sunshine, and the spirit of brotherhood, respectively. The flag's central white disc proudly displays the grey crested crane, Uganda's national symbol. The crane, renowned for its faithfulness, symbolizes progress with one leg raised, signifying Uganda's forward trajectory. Renowned as the "Pearl of Africa," a term coined by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Uganda captivates with its breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant populace. The country boasts 10% of the world's bird species, adding to its allure.
However, beneath this picturesque surface lies a stark reality: over half of Uganda's 44 million inhabitants are children, with nearly 2 million orphaned due to AIDS and other diseases. Additionally, approximately 400,000 children suffer from blindness or hearing impairment, often facing neglect and mistreatment, and the infant mortality rate is 39/1000, compared to 4/1000 in the United States. The CHAIN Foundation’s dedicated, Christian approach to community solutions is working to change these grim statistics. Their ministry brings hope to hundreds of vulnerable children, educates local communities, and provides support and encouragement for impoverished families.