History Overview
OVCP was founded by Terra Lorenz and Paul Bogere, who stumbled upon a corrupt orphanage in Iganga, Uganda, where children endured horrendous living conditions. In Uganda, impoverished families often resort to orphanages, believing it’s the sole way to provide healthcare, education, and nutrition for their children. Shockingly, four out of five children in Ugandan orphanages have living relatives and institutionalization rates have surged by 1600% since 1992, causing family separations and social disconnection. Terra and Paul realized that families didn’t want to abandon their kids but felt it was their only option for a better life.
Empower
At the core of Our Village Uganda’s mission lies empowerment, which serves as the cornerstone upon which all their initiatives are built. This empowerment begins with the establishment of relationships firmly rooted in the love of God, recognizing the universal human need for love and community. Through these deep connections, Our Village Uganda has witnessed the transformative power of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with individuals, fostering the courage to pursue solutions, the strength to endure challenges, and the hope that collective efforts can effect meaningful change. The belief in the intrinsic equality and potential of all individuals underscores their approach, emphasizing the role of a supportive presence that believes in and accompanies people on their journey toward change and progress.
Education
Education is a transformative force that unlocks a world of possibilities, and in our region, where 89% of children lack access to reading materials and there’s a troubling 71% drop-out rate in the national elementary school system, the need for quality education is glaring. Before our school was established, none of the local elementary schools prepared children for junior and senior high school, but now, every student leaving our institution is equipped with the education needed to advance to higher levels of learning.
Equip
Our Village Uganda’s aim is not to create dependency on foreign aid, but to foster meaningful relationships and partnerships within communities in Iganga and Lamwo districts, equipping them with the infrastructure and resources needed to support one another from within. Together, they strive to develop sustainable solutions to combat poverty. Currently, Our Village Uganda owns 28 acres of land, intended to serve as a communal hub for training and the demonstration of income-generating practices. Their ultimate objective is to empower individuals to address their community’s needs independently, reducing reliance on external aid and achieving self-sustainability.
Ministry Overview:
Our Village Community Partnership is dedicated to empowering, educating, and equipping individuals with the strength, skills, and tools needed to create lasting change in their community, effectively combating poverty. We are thrilled to announce their transition from a Community-Based Organization (CBO) recognized at the district level to a registered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) acknowledged at the national level by the Ugandan Government, reflecting their commitment and impact in the communities they serve. OVCP is led by an exceptional team of Ugandans, and will soon be sharing pictures of their dedicated leadership and staff. They proudly collaborate with various organizations, churches, and individuals in Uganda, Canada, and the United States, with key international partners for donations processing including The Mandate, The Great Commission Foundation, and Prairie Harvest Christian Life Centre.
Prayer Request:
Pray for the enduring support, provision, blessings, and advancement of Our Village Uganda. May their efforts empower more impoverished communities, grant them access to education, equip them sustainably, and ultimately, transform their lives with the love of Jesus.
ABOUT GCF
Since 2002, the Great Commission Foundation has been providing a place for individuals, ministries and organizations to thrive in ministry. Our vision is to work together to help the impoverished, further education, and help fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
We are passionate about helping fulfill the Great Commission. Our team of skilled administrative and accounting personnel are dedicated to simplifying ministry. We bring admin relief to our agents and projects and release them to spend more time on ministry work. Through collaboration, we provide compliance, clarity, and relief to ministry.
We welcome any Christian ministry or project to contact us to discuss how we can collaborate. We believe we are stronger together.
