Friends of Ugandan Orphans

One of our diocese’s most consistent almsgiving efforts is Friends of Ugandan Orphans. This charity organization had its roots in the year 2000 when Metropolitan Ephraim visited Uganda, witnessing first hand both the level of poverty and the large number of orphaned children, caused primarily by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and civil war. Upon his return to the United States, he formed a group known as the Benevolent Missionary Society (BMS), see Philanthropy, in order to oversee ways of helping our mission church communities and the orphans who are members of our parishes in Uganda. BMS started collecting funds and sent it to the Ugandan clergy in charge of providing the orphans with better clothing, shoes, and funds to pay for their school fees. Also, donations were collected to fund parish sustenance projects, such as the establishment of a grain mill, which is still in operation today.

Since BMS’ inception, we’ve had clergy and laymen visit Uganda volunteering their time, both short and long term, in helping the parishes and missions.

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In the year 2004, certain members of BMS decided to form a group called the Friends of Ugandan Orphans (FUO). This group directed its efforts solely toward helping the orphan children, while BMS expanded its focus in assisting parishes and clergy, both domestically and abroad, as well as developing a monastery in Uganda.

In 2005, FUO became incorporated as a Non-Profit Organization. One of the first projects undertaken by the FUO was creating the fundraiser, “Walk for Friends of Ugandan Orphans.” This “Walk-a-thon” is held in the Boston area every summer and has many participants locally, as well as from outside the area. If you are interested in contributing as a participant or as a sponsor of the “Walk-a-thon, please see details below.

By 2008, FUO was successful with other projects such as providing bedding and mosquito nets to 350 orphans and installing a water pump to supply clean spring water to the orphans. Additionally FUO is supporting eighteen orphans with clothing, shoes, boarding school fees and medical needs.

In its latest report on the global AIDS epidemic, UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS) reported that there were 1.2 million Ugandan children who have been orphaned by AIDS, so the need to assist these unfortunate children continues.

If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause as a volunteer, please contact our diocese office at (617) 323-6379. If you would like to contribute through your tax-deductible donation, please see below. One hundred percent (100%) of all donations are sent to Uganda to help the orphans.

For more FUO information, please visit our website: www.aidtheorphans.net

For Almsgiving to Friends of Ugandan Orphans – please click here: