Story

Hello, and welcome to the Makindye Foundation in Kampala, Uganda!

We are a “family” of 12, mostly consisting of children who were homeless but who have now been given a home, food, and other basic needs by the foundation over the past year. Our goal is to raise enough money to help the organization cover some urgent needs, including house relocation, vaccines, registration of the organization, small business investment, and lastly, my work permit.

Our story: I first came to Uganda in 2018, interested in setting up a social enterprise to export essential oils back to the U.S. I was introduced to an organization that housed orphans and children who had been living on the street. These children were accomplished acrobats and street dancers, and they performed when and where they could for money and other donations. I fell in love with this group and would visit them almost weekly, bringing snacks and spending time with them. I soon became “Uncle Mike,” and over time I became close to a couple of the older ones, Brian and Akram. They are now like sons to me, and I’m a father to them, a responsibility I take seriously. They are both 22 years old now. They had left the other program due to the abuse they suffered under the head of that organization. I support them as best I can, not just financially but also emotionally.

Last year, Brian and Akram were teaching acrobatics to a new group in their area. The neighbors had noticed that some of the children were homeless and sleeping in the street. The authorities then found them and addressed the situation by beating and caning the children, leaving them lost, upset, and crying. Brian and Akram took it upon themselves to take four of the youngest kids (two each) to support them in their homes. That was all they were able to do. I then created an online fundraiser last year to finally get them all a house, furnishings, and food stock for 3 months. I’ve been supporting them ever since, as well as trying to maintain my own expenses.

Financial support would go toward these goals:

$800 – School fees for 6 of the children

$800 – Vaccines There is a regular occurrence of typhoid and measles amongst the group. Vaccines are needed.

$1200 – Registration for the Organization This is a key step in order for the Makindye Foundation to receive grants or subsidies from the Ugandan government.

$800 – Small Business Investment for Sustainability Akram has a plastic recycling business, and we’re researching small enterprises that the group could be involved in, be it chicken farming, a baking business, t-shirt imprinting, etc., especially for the older ones to learn valuable skills and run their own businesses.

$1000 – Michael’s Work Permit Cost This would also allow me to be designated co-director of the Makindye Foundation and obtain a Ugandan work permit (good for three years, renewable). I have been operating under the constraints of 90-day tourist visa extensions so far, so this must be factored in as well.

$10,000 – This is the amount I’m personally behind on with rent in NY.

$400 – The kid’s house rent plus some food.

Any support you can share, no matter how small, helps us reach these goals.

Every donor gets a personal thank-you video from the group and me. We cannot thank you enough for all your love, care, and support.

Many blessings, and we’re immensely grateful to you!!

Michael Stromme

P.S. On social media, you can follow Akram’s posts of the kids’ dance and acrobatics videos:

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Akiestarboy1)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/freestylekidsuganda/)

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@freestylekidsuganda)