Some stories begin small. This one began with 160 children living in a single home.
During a visit to Uganda in 2016, Anne Kasombo, WWO Regional Ambassador, met a 26-year-old caregiver who had opened her home to children in need. By the time Anne arrived, she was caring for 160 children.
“The children came running toward her, and I was overwhelmed,” Anne remembers. “I actually froze. I kept asking her, ‘How do you take care of all these children?’”
At the time, one child was seriously ill in hospital, while many others needed food, attention, education, and daily care. The responsibility resting on one caregiver was overwhelming.
Anne sat down with the caregiver to consider a different way forward. She introduced the World Without Orphans vision and explored how reunification, foster care, and family support could help children receive care in family and community. CBN’s Orphan’s Promise also came alongside the caregiver, initially helping to address her medical needs.
Over time, that partnership transformed the direction of the work.
Today, the caregiver looks after about 30 children instead of 160. Many children have been reunited with relatives, while foster families have welcomed others into their homes. The caregiver has regained her health and strength and continues serving the children who remain in her care. She has also opened a school and a Superbook club, giving children opportunities to learn, grow, and discover hope.
The work now reaches beyond one home. The caregiver speaks with churches across the region, encouraging families to welcome children and support those who have been reunited. Ongoing assistance helps families continue caring for their children at home.
This is what collaboration can make possible: not one caregiver carrying an impossible responsibility alone, but families, local leaders, churches, and partners sharing the work of caring for children.
This story reflects a central part of the WWO vision. Children need more than a place to sleep. They need the safety, love, identity, and belonging that family provides. When local leaders are equipped and communities work together, children can move from residential care into supported families.
Watch Anne share this story and see how reunification, foster care, and community support are helping more children in Uganda grow up where they belong: in safe, loving families.
