Our Founders
In 2002 I (Vicky) traveled to Southern Uganda. During my 2-month stay I learned about the people and culture of Uganda While there I was fortunate enough to attend a government run, two-week training session on local common diseases and their treatment. After this training I spent a week working in the local hospital then a remote clinic in the small village of Dyango. What I learned and saw in Uganda changed my life, my focus, and my understanding of this world. During my stay I met so many wonderful people. These people, according to our standards, should be unhappy since they had nothing, but they weren't. They were amazing in the wealth they possessed in their hearts. The children had no television or IPods, but they were happy, smiling, and laughing. Yes, I saw the sickness and the poverty, the hunger and the bloated bellies, but I saw the peace in their eyes. One sight always disturbed me, though, and kept me awake at night. This was the sight of a home with tombstones out front and children playing in the yard or working in the fields. When I asked if there were any adult supervision for the children I was told, "No, the parents are dead." With the area's limited resources, these children were left unprotected in their own homes after the death of their parents. Many of these children had been exposed to or infected with HIV.
Once home, I shared all I had seen and learned with my husband, Larry. He felt the same pull to help these children I had experienced. Together we researched the possibility of starting our own 501C-3, not for profit foundation. We wanted to partner with Ugandan run NGO’s to raise the quality of life in Southern Uganda. We determined to choose projects that would help village inhabitants become self sufficient and care for their own needs as best it could. Along with this we talked to friends determined to be interested in African or children's issues asking if they would be on our board of directors to help us make our decisions. The first meeting of the board of directors of HUGS was held in July of 2003. Since that time we have worked to get the details of life in the whole of Uganda to as many as possible. When people hear of the poverty and need in Uganda, the result has been overwhelming charity. Larry and I are encouraged by the response to the need. We would like to thank all who gave and keep giving so the people of Uganda can have a better life. Together we have changed their future – one project, one village at a time.