By Delux Emmy Alomu
SOROTI
The Divine Hope Rescue Foundation, headquartered in Aboket Village in Morungatuny Sub County, Amuria District, has been a beacon of support for elderly widows, vulnerable children, and schools lacking greenery, contributing assistance valued at millions of shillings.
Founded in December 2023, this charitable, non-profit Christian organization is duly registered to operate in both Uganda and the United States, further solidifying its mission of service.
The foundation concentrates on three primary areas: supporting widows, educating at-risk children, and promoting sports activities—all while fulfilling its spiritual mandate of spreading the word of God.
Just last week, the foundation engaged in a series of impactful activities, commencing with four days of discipleship classes capped off by an overnight gathering. This was followed by the donation of over 900 pine seedlings across four primary schools and a secondary school in Morungatuny Sub County.
The recipient schools included Ateuso, Odekere, Ogangai, Joy Nursery & Primary School, and Morungatuny Seed Secondary School, with each institution receiving 180 seedlings.
Isaac Zebedi Okwii, the Foundation’s Events and Missions Head, highlighted that these seedlings are intended not only to enhance environmental conservation but also to supply timber for school construction and potential sales, thus supporting educational initiatives.
Tara Lovdal, the foundation’s U.S.-based founder, outlined their focus on three essential programs: supporting vulnerable children, providing aid to widows, and fostering sports activities. The distribution of seedlings aligns seamlessly with their commitment to sports.
Silver Otekat, the Vice Chairperson of the Parents Teachers Association (P.T.A) at Morungatuny Seed Secondary School, expressed gratitude for the seedlings, noting that the school previously struggled to obtain trees. He called upon the government to facilitate more tree planting efforts.
Samuel Edoku, the councilor representing Ogangai parish, urged residents to avoid the destruction of trees without proper replanting. He praised the development partners for their outstanding efforts but pressed the government to augment their work by providing trees for schools, churches, and public spaces, vital for environmental conservation.
David Enyou, a speaker at the Morungatuny sub-county council, thanked the foundation for their generous tree donations, while councilor Joseph Enginu Ogwang from Aboket parish lauded the collaboration with development partners working towards environmental preservation.
On Friday, May 8th, 2026, the foundation generously contributed over 755 books and 500 pens as back-to-school supplies valued at shs1 million, benefiting more than 200 learners from Primary 4 to Primary 7. Each P.7 pupil received six books, while P.6 and P.5 learners got five books each. P.4 learners were provided with four books along with two Bic pens for every pupil present.
Emmanuel Epechu, the Foundation’s Chief Operations Officer, announced the first donation of educational materials aimed at enhancing their sponsorship program. This initiative is designed to ease the financial burden on parents, allowing them to focus on purchasing other essentials beyond just books and pens.
Epechu emphasized that this effort is part of a broader educational program that supports learners from nursery through secondary school, with six students benefiting thus far.
Tara encouraged the recipients to make full use of the books to prevent disruptions in their learning due to a lack of materials.
Calvin Erumu, a resident of Aboket village, expressed his gratitude to the foundation for alleviating the burden of buying educational supplies.
On Saturday, April 9, 2026, just before Mother’s Day, the Foundation brought joy to ten elderly widows in Morungatuny Sub County by providing essential items such as bedding, soap, sugar, and salt.
Of the 42 widows identified by local authorities for assistance, the foundation has supported approximately 30 so far, ensuring each recipient receives a mattress, a pair of bedsheets, and basic necessities including soap, sugar, and salt.
Before distributing these supplies to the ten elderly widows, the foundation welcomed around 42 widows at their offices in Aboket village. The gathering featured messages of hope and community support, and attendees enjoyed a communal meal served by the organization’s officials.
The Founder remarked that this initiative was not merely about providing aid, but about sharing hope, joy, laughter, and a meal with the widows during this special occasion.
It was noted that they started their journey by assisting eight widows and are currently working to support the remaining 16 in Morungatuny Sub County.
The elderly widows, learners, educators, parents, and local residents expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the generosity demonstrated by the foundation’s initiatives.
Michael Elagu, a church leader from Ajenit Church of Uganda, praised the foundation for its support of vulnerable groups, highlighting how challenging it often is for them to receive assistance.
He shared, “Take my mother, for example; she missed out on other government programs like animal compensation and restocking because the NIRA officials registered her as still young, even though she has aged. But Divine Hope has finally come through. She was truly surprised.”
School leaders
John Bosco Aliabu, a parent at Odekere Primary School, expressed his gratitude, noting that the school had never received a donation of trees before, and this was a significant blessing.
“You can see the other eucalyptus trees there. They were also given to us by a parent. This marks our second donation,” Aliabu shared.
James Ekinu, a teacher at Odekere Primary School, highlighted that these trees will serve as windbreakers and provide shade. Meanwhile, the PTA Chairperson, Juliet Apako, extended her thanks to both the organization and God for their generous support.
Pupils
Arron Elubu, a primary six pupil, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the foundation for their generosity and friendship towards the children, generously donating books, pencils, T-shirts, and much more.
Jemimah Amero Epechu, another primary learner, remarked on the remarkable impact the organization has made in the community by supporting children, widows, and the broader society. She wished for the foundation to continue thriving and making a difference.
Widows
Christine Kongai, a widow from Angan village, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the foundation’s generous support of essential items like mattresses, bed sheets, and clothing, which has been a vital lifeline for her and others in the community.
Joyce Mary Apecho, also a widow, shared her heartfelt appreciation, stating that she praises the Lord daily for the support she has received during her time of need.
Despite getting assistance, Grace Abiro, another widow, revealed her struggles of being homeless. Despite reaching out to fellow Christians for help in vain, she remains resilient as she cares for five orphans left behind by her daughter-in-law.
