The Story of H.U.G.S.

Mission Statement:

Helping Ugandans Grow Stronger (HUGS) is a publicly supported charitable organization providing care, education and spiritual growth to orphas, children infected or affected by AIDS/HIV, and "high-risk" children in southern Uganda.

Goals and Focus:

Our goal is to provide a safe haven for children of Uganda, where they can be educated in a secure and healthy environment so they can enjoytheir childhood years. It is our hope that these children will row into self-sustaining adults that make a positive contribution to their family, village, and country. Out goals are accomplished through voluntary missionary projects and partnerships with Ugandan-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Introduction:

In 2002, Victoria Gibson traveled to southern Uganda on a two-month mission trip. During that time, she worked in the very small and remote village of Dyango. Her duties included caring for the children suffering from a variety of illnesses including, syphilis, malaria, malnutrition, and anemia. In her off hours, Victoria was taught about the people, diseases afflicting the locals, culture and customs of Uganda. After returning home, ans sharing her experience with others, she was encouraged to follow her heart and do more for the people she had come to love, and the idea of HUGS was born.

The first meeting of the HUGS board of directors was held on July 14th, 2003. Members joining this meeting that continue today are Dr. Thomas Heinrichs, Lawrence Gibson, and Victoria Gibson.

Since that time, the board of directors has worked very hard and seen significant results in the following areas:

The sponsored property in Bulanga has grown from vacant bush land to a safe haven for children in the area.
Building projects include three school buildings, a church, a clinic, teacher's housing, director's home, kitchen, meeting hall, chicken coop, numerous latrines, and three group homes - one for boys, one for girls, and one for the younger children.
The sponsor program has grown from two sponsored children to 113 children, as of July 2009.
Four successful galas have been held in the San Diego area, the galas build awareness and increase sponsorship for the "Children of HUGS."
A children's prgram, Kids Feeding Kids, was launched by a nine-year-old girl. The effort has educated and involved American children to feed the children of Bulanga.
The women's groups in the Bulanga area have gained momentum in their efforts to become independent and strong in caring for their families. HUGS was able to purchase a sewing machine for sandals, land, livestock, and bring bring new craft ideas to the women in these groups.
A successful mission trip by members of Eastlake Community Church in Chula Vista, California provided the project's church, and desks, benches and tables for the school.
A group from Kirkland, Washington also traveled to the sponsored property. Their purpose was to build a fence around the property. This has increased the safety fo rthe children attending Bright Hope Academy.
Because of board member's contacts, a borehole or water pump was provided to the project by Halfway There Project of Youth with a Mission (YWAM.) Latera filter system was installed, also funded by Halfway There.
In 2007 a program to provide goats to the Children of HUGS was launched. The intent of this program is to buy goats which can be sold and the money banked. This money can provide for the child's life after school whether it is at a University or buying property to farm.