Frequently asked questions

OKWAGALA For Children’s programs are carried out in collaboration with local Catholic dioceses, parishes, and religious congregations in Uganda. Sponsors send their gifts directly to OKWAGALA. We then distribute the funds to the partner schools, seminaries, and other beneficiaries. We monitor the use of funds, ensure they are used as intended, and provide sponsors with regular statements and accountability reports. Our local partners understand the languages, cultures, and specific needs of each community.

Not necessarily. Some children are orphans, some are abandoned, some have one parent, and some have both parents who, because of illness or misfortune, cannot support their families. OKWAGALA’s concern is to help as many needy children as possible. We try to ensure that those most in need receive the proper care. Each child’s story can be found on their individual profile. If you are seeking to sponsor an orphan, please look for a child in our Boarding School section.

No, there are children enrolled in OKWAGALA’ programs that are not Catholic. However, all our schools give their students instruction in the Catholic faith. Also, we know that the religious staff of the schools are a witness to the love of Jesus Christ, and they take care to share this love to the students. Many of these children have never experienced love in their lives until receiving a sponsor and going to these schools do decide to be initiated into the Catholic Church. This joyful celebration happens through the gifts of OKWAGALA they’ve received, it is never forced upon them/p>

Yes, absolutely. Sharing your faith is a message of hope that your child can count on for the rest of their life.

Yes. There is no limit to the number of children or different programs you may support.

Sponsorship with OKWAGALA is not about a fixed amount – it is about your willingness to make a difference. Every child has different needs, and every sponsor has a different capacity. You may give whatever you are able and called to give, whether less or more. Your gift is sent to OKWAGALA, and we use the funds to support your sponsored child’s education, meals, and care. No matter the amount, your love and generosity will have a lasting impact. For reference, typical sponsorship contributions range widely, and you are free to choose what works best for you.

You send your sponsorship gift to OKWAGALA. We then distribute the funds to the partner school or program on behalf of your child. We monitor all disbursements and ensure they are used to provide education, meals, uniform, supplies, clean water, faith formation, and (for boarding) a safe home. We provide sponsors with regular statements and accountability reports so you know exactly how your support is being used. The full list of services and benefits for each program is clearly listed on our website.

Your sponsorship pledge is a commitment of love, not a legally binding obligation. Sponsors are free to end their sponsorship at any time, however, we hope that every sponsor prayerfully and carefully considers the impact of the relationship they are entering in to. Please be aware that some sponsorships can be longer commitments than others. For example, a Seminarian Sponsorship may only last a few years while a child sponsorship may last a decade. Even though the length of a given sponsorship may vary, the relationship and the impact of this type of support will last for a lifetime.

Please review each sponsorship opportunity for more details of all the benefits that your sponsorship provides.

Child Sponsorship: The primary goal is to help a child become self-reliant through providing them with education, loving care, and basic necessities. Eventually, this gift leads the child to support their community for the duration of their lives and for generations to come.

Vocation & University:The primary goal is to help a young man or woman become self-reliant through providing them with a higher-level education, loving care, and some schooling necessities. Here they can become educated enough to make an even greater impact in their community.

Sponsor a Seminarian:The primary goal is to support the formation and seminary education of a young man going through Seminary training. This will provide them with the opportunity to become a Priest and serve the faithful in the Catholic church for the rest of his life.

Adopt a Nun:The primary goal is to help a fully professed sister/nun to acquire the education she needs to give better service and care throughout the rest of her life. She will then be able to spread the Gospel in ways that are true to her talents and specialization.

Adopt a Grandparent: The primary goal is to support a poor grandparent who may be forgotten throughout the struggle of old age and possibly sickness. This loving care and gift of basic daily provisions is a beautiful way to remind them of God’s love

Depending upon the resources and nature of each program, you should at minimum receive several communications each year about the progress of your child. This may include direct letters, photos, videos, progress reports, and report cards. If you write to your child, we work to have your letters answered by your child’s own hands. If for whatever reason that is not possible, then your child will get the support of his or her program director. With some programs, especially where English is not the primary language, translations will be given to you alongside the original letter. In addition, you will receive periodic statements about your account; and from time to time there will be updates about the general results of the program in which your child is a beneficiary.

We encourage you to write to your child. This post Sponsor a Child and Keep in Touch: Tips for Writing is an excellent source for ideas and guidelines

You can send letters and cards by postal mail to: OKWAGALA For Children, P.O. Box 15690, GPO Kampala, Uganda Or use a courier service like DHL. You may also email your letter to operations@okwagalaforchildren.org. Please include your child’s name and ID number on the letter. We will hand‑deliver your message to your sponsored child.

If a sponsor would like to give a gift to their child, we encourage them to send a monetary gift rather than purchasing individual gifts for their sponsored child. We have found that the ministry leaders at each of our locations know what is best for the children and can purchase their gift for much less money. This gift also allows your child to go out shopping which is a gift in itself and at the same time it positively impacts the local economy. You can add a personal gift to your child through your account. If you would like assistance in doing this, please email operations@okwagalaforchildren.org

Yes! There is no better way to build a sacred relationship than a face‑to‑face meeting. If you wish to visit your sponsored child in Uganda, please contact us in advance so we can help with preparations and advise you on what is required, especially if you have never visited Uganda before. Email us at operations@okwagalaforchildren.org or reach us through our contact page. We will coordinate with our team on the ground to arrange a safe and meaningful visit.

At OKWAGALA, we believe in building a personal, one‑on‑one relationship between a sponsor and a child whenever possible. However, because sponsors give according to their own willingness and capacity (some give less, some give more), we may sometimes combine the support of two or more sponsors to fully meet the needs of one child. In such cases, we will clearly inform you. If you wish to be the sole sponsor, you are welcome to give at a level that covers the full need. Our goal is always to ensure that every child receives the care and education they deserve.

Yes. OKWAGALA is involved with many different projects and gratefully and prayerfully accepts all financial contributions and many gifts in kind as well for the support of its programs and projects. This type of contribution can also be securely made online on our Special Projects page [link], by mail or any other method possible. Please call: 414-323-5000 or e-mail your questions about this matter to operations@okwagalaforchildren.org

Yes. While the sponsorship will be in your name, the relationship can be expanded to include another person. We encourage this type of sponsorship, especially between family members or friends. It is an excellent way to engage the youth of developed countries with those of developing countries and teaches so much to all involved.

OKWAGALA For Children is not a licensed adoption agency, but we advocate for adoption as a loving way to provide a family for children in need. OKWAGALA was founded with the goal of supporting vulnerable children in Uganda, and we can provide limited, informal information about adoption procedures within Uganda. For specific legal advice or to begin the adoption process, we encourage you to contact the Uganda Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development or a licensed adoption agency in Uganda.

To view the details of the OKWAGALA For Children Privacy Policy, please visit our website at OKWAGALAforchildren.org/privacy-policy, write to us at our Uganda office, or call us. A copy will be sent to you directly upon request.

Yes, you may use your VISA, Mastercard, American Express or Discover Card. It is safe and secure. All credit card transactions use the Internet Security Protocol known as “Secure Sockets Layer” (SSL). This certification and encryption technology makes using your credit card as safe as possible on the Internet.

Yes! Gifts to OKWAGALA For Children are tax-deductible as allowed under Ugandan law. You can request your yearly donation receipts from our office. For more in-depth information, please consult your tax advisor about your specific situation.

OKWAGALA For Children has several ways for you to get involved and make a difference, whether you have a specific skill set or just a willing heart.

Volunteer in Uganda (On-Site)
Missionary Work:Both long-term and short-term opportunities are available to work alongside our local partners.

Mission Trips:You can join or organize a group (families, parishes, universities, etc.) to experience our ministry firsthand at partner schools, clinics, and orphanages.

Volunteer Remotely (From Home)
Run GoFundMe Campaigns:Start your own fundraising campaign on GoFundMe or other crowdfunding platforms to support OKWAGALA’s programs.

Become an Advocate:Share OKWAGALA’s mission with your friends, family, parish, and social networks. You can give a talk, host a small gathering, or simply spread the word.

Fundraising Platforms:Help us set up and manage fundraising campaigns on platforms like GlobalGiving, GiveDirectly, or others to reach new donors.

Grant Appeals:If you have experience with grant writing or research, assist us in identifying and applying for grants from foundations, trusts, and Catholic funding organizations.

Blogger:If you have a talent for writing, you can help us tell the stories of the children we serve and spread awareness of our mission.

Website Development:You can use your HTML skills to help maintain and improve our website.

Educational Resource Developer:Perfect for retired teachers, education, or sociology majors to help develop curriculum on global poverty and Catholic social teaching.

Sponsorship Services:Help process communications, photos, and letters between sponsors and their children.

How to Get Started
If you are interested in any of our volunteer opportunities or would like to learn more, please fill out the volunteer interest form on our website or reach out to us directly at operations@okwagalaforchildren.org. We would love to help you find the perfect way to serve.