I Am Children's Family Ministry Information

The main purpose of our trip to Uganda was to verify that the money sent through PUTCI to "I AM" Children's Family Ministry was really being spent for the children's needs.

I was touched by the thought that Pastor Ponsiano called the ministry "I AM" CHILDREN'S FAMILY MINISTRY. For as a ministry they must live one day at a time and trust God to provide for their needs on a daily basis.

We learned several important things about the orphan situation in Uganda and how the "I AM" Children's Family Ministry is trying to help. In Uganda there are no orphanages. The government doesn't want the children labeled as orphans. The government looks for people willing to be caretakers for these children, yet it is not in a position to offer any financial help to the caretakers. So it is in a way a foster care program, but without financial help.

Pastor Ponsiano is not interested in trying to minister to the 2,000 street children in Kampala, the capital. He desires to reach orphaned children before they live on the streets. Since people have heard that he will care for orphaned children, he is often contacted by parents who are dying of AIDS, before they actually die. Arrangements are made for him to be responsible for these children. Of course there are more children in need than the "I AM" Children's Family Ministry can take care of. We learned that Pastor Ponsiano often takes money from the general funds and spends it on the needs of the parentless children staying in the homes of Christian neighbors. For example, he will buy food to help feed these children. When asked about this practice he said, "How can I spend money to give my family more when I daily see so many children in need."

Each Saturday the orphaned children living in the neighborhood are brought to the Pastor Ponsiano's home for a meal, a Bible class and a time of singing and playing games. Pastor Ponsiano asked us to please help him find sponsors for the many children under his care that do not have sponsors. He is responsible for 250 children and currently less than 70 have sponsors. There are no public schools in Uganda so only the children who have someone that can pay for their schooling are allowed to get an education. The caliber of the education provided is also dependent on the amount paid. We saw the whole range of schools available in Uganda, from the rich private schools run by the Catholic Church to the poor village schools with volunteer teachers who have no formal training, just a love for the orphans of their village.

Pastor Ponsiano will only send the older children he cares for to school where they will get a Christian education. The little children are sent to the best schools in their neighborhood and then are provided a Christian education at the church he pastors and by attending Bible classes offered each Saturday in his home.

His wife, Suzan was conducting a school for the young children who had no sponsors in their garage until a Christian woman agreed to allow the 75 students to be transferred to the school she runs. The agreement is that Pastor Ponsiano find sponsors as quickly as possible. To this date 13 sponsors have been found.

Partners United Thru Christ International, Inc. is the covering organization for the I Am Children's Family Ministry here in the United States. Thus we can offer you the opportunity to sponsor a child in Uganda and receive tax credit for your gift.

Would you be willing to sponsor a child? Your tax deducible gifts of $45 per month would cover all school cost including uniform, supplies and books. It would also provide money for the purchase of food, clothing and any medical expenses the child would have. If you are interested in sponsoring one of these children who are victims of AIDS in the fact that their parents have died because of AIDS, please contact us at paulgdorothye@juno.com We will need to receive your name and address so we can send you a photo of the child and give you instructions as how you can be a blessing to a child in Uganda, Africa.

I AM Children's Family Ministry

Sponsors Needed