Kugatta, Amherst, OH (2026)

04/24/2026

Owning land is important to all vulnerable families and individuals on our program, but it is especially empowering for women. Women aren’t always registered on property paperwork in Uganda, and in situations when they are widowed or divorced this can leave them vulnerable to being evicted from a living space with no place to go. If it is at all possible we try to help some of our most vulnerable families purchase a piece of land to call their own. Land is a symbol of identity, as well as a source of livelihood and food security. Owning land instead of renting not only eases the family’s financial burden, but also creates opportunities for long-term economic growth, both for the family and the broader community. Today, we are reaching out for support in raising funds to purchase land for a grandmother on our program. We have worked with this JaJa for many years. She has faced significant health challenges that greatly limit her mobility, further straining an already fragile financial situation. For many years, securing stable housing has been an ongoing challenge for her. Purchasing land would be a critical step toward providing her with the safety and stability she so desperately needs.

If you have been looking for a way to make a tangible difference in this world please consider donating to the work we do. Kugatta is a registered 501c3. Your donations will go directly to improving the lives of those suffering from the ramifications of poverty and exploitation. Follow the link below to donate today: https://paypal.me/kugatta?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US

01/14/2026

What an incredible year it has been! In 2025, Kugatta witnessed hope restored, families strengthened, and lives empowered in ways that remind us why this work matters so deeply. As a 501(c)(3) dedicated to reconnecting Ugandan adoptees with their first families and supporting the full adoption triad, we also remain committed to empowering vulnerable Ugandan families so they will not be separated in the first place. Here’s a glimpse of what your support made possible this year:

• Medical Care and Advocacy: Kugatta walked alongside several individuals through hospital visits, medical treatments, and bills, bringing dignity, comfort, and the reassurance that no one has to face these challenges alone.

• School Visits and Educational Support: We attended many school visitation days, checking in on how students were doing both academically and otherwise. This year Kugatta added 6 additional children to our education program, now helping over 26 children with school related fees. Education continues to be a top priority for Kugatta as we know it is one of the strongest tools for breaking cycles of poverty and preventing unnecessary family separation.

• Investigations: Kugatta carried out several investigations this year at the request of adoptees, birth families, and adoptive families. Investigations are pivotal providing much needed answers and clarity for adoptees and the families that support them.

• Dream Builders Camp: We carried out our second annual Dream Builders Camp for the children on our program. It was a week filled with learning, healing, games, exercise, therapeutic sessions, and hands on trade training. Watching these young people develop emotionally, socially, and physically created an unforgettable experience of connection, healing, and renewed confidence.

• Housing: This year we were able to help a mother and her daughters purchase land and begin the construction on a small home. This was a massive achievement for us and one that was years in the making. Providing safe and stable housing is essential to long-term family preservation.

• Yamba Program: Through our Yamba program, several families received micro loans that offered meaningful economic empowerment. One mother even qualified for a second loan after paying her first one back in full, a milestone that speaks to her determination and resilience. Because all funds repaid stay within the family, we were able to reinvest directly into her business again while also providing additional support through a larger second loan, hoping it will create even stronger economic results for her and her children. Our Yamba program has never been about repayment. It is about empowerment, renewed confidence, and helping families create sustainable livelihoods so they can remain together.

• Family Preservation Symposium: Our 3rd annual symposium was incredible, bringing birth parents and other vulnerable individuals together for training in business, finance, healthy living, and trade skills, along with time for community, sharing, healing, and encouragement.

• Christmas: This year’s Christmas outreach grew significantly. We were able to serve over 25 families and 13 individual volunteers and workers who have supported Kugatta throughout the yea. In total, we provided Christmas meals and gifts to over 168 adults and children, providing meaningful support, from food supplies and small gifts to medical surgery assistance, piglets and feed, book-making materials, and more.

This is family preservation. It’s not one project, one season, or one moment. It’s daily. It’s ongoing. It’s multifaceted, complex, and deeply important ongoing work. Poverty, lack of access to education, and lack of support continue to push families apart, but this year, you helped push back. Because of you, families stayed together. Because of you, children stayed in school. Because of you, adoptees, birth families, and adoptive families felt seen, supported, and valued. Thank you for believing in this work. Thank you for loving these families. Thank you for walking with us in 2025. Your compassion, your generosity, and your belief in this work continue to change lives and keep families together and provide connections for those that are separated.

01/06/2026

There is a lack of balance in this world that is often very difficult to process. It breaks my heart, and often my spirit, to encounter such suffering and loss due to the exploitation of the vulnerable. People with feelings that rarely get acknowledged and wrongs perpetuated against them that almost never get righted. I started Kugatta alongside my colleague Gladys in an effort to address many of these issues. Mr. O never understood what adoption meant and out of an overwhelming need for support and love for his niece, Stella, he agreed to let her study in America, never to be seen or heard from again. The entire family mourns this loss daily. They call us often to see if we have found her. We love Mr O so much. You could not find a kinder and more loving human being if you tried. The lack of transparency and concern for this family’s loss reveals the profound injustice and imbalance of power that exist within the intercountry adoption system. The vulnerable are often exploited in their time of need, families ripped apart, children taken and misled to believe they were abandoned, unwanted, or orphaned, with absolutely no power or pathway to correct these injustices when they come to light. The desperation in Mr. O's voice to hear any news of his neice is always deafening. Kugatta has come alongside Mr. O and his family in an effort to empower them and to help them search for their niece and sister, Alowo Stellah. We met Mr. O and his family many years ago and care about them deeply. When we first met him, they were not in the best place, but over the years they have grown stronger, more empowered in their livelihoods, and more confident in using their voices. They are now pillars of their community, working to ensure that no other family loses a loved one in this way. Speaking out so others understand the misconceptions and dangers that come from accepting help that requires separation from a child they love. This Christmas, because of the generosity of donors, it was our privilege to deliver a Christmas package to Mr. O and his family as a small but tangible expression of support, care, and continued commitment. These moments matter. They do not erase the pain or the loss, but they remind families that they are not forgotten and that they are not walking this journey alone. We always treasure our time with Mr. O and his family, and we remain honored to stand beside them in whatever ways we are able.

01/05/2026

Another way we work to preserve vulnerable Ugandan families is by investing in the younger generation, whether they are young parents or before they encounter the challenges of parenthood, especially for those facing poverty or limited access to education. At Kugatta, we work with many young adults, supporting them through trade school and beyond, offering them the tools and knowledge they need to build a better future. Our hope is to equip them with the training and support needed to avoid the pitfalls that often lead to unnecessary family separation. We want them to understand their rights and options before a crisis arises and to recognize the profound impact separation can have on children. Thanks to the generosity of our amazing donors, we were able to continue supporting these young adults and their families throughout the holiday season. This year, we were able to bless many with new clothes, food supplies, and a Christmas meal! If you'd like to help empower a vulnerable young adult by supporting them through trade school, funding a business start-up, or assisting in the case of an unexpected pregnancy, please reach out for more information or donate using the link below. Together, we can prevent unnecessary family separations and provide the support and resources that empower these individuals and their families to thrive together.
https://paypal.me/kugatta?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US

01/04/2026

The Christmas season is a vital time to show up for the families we work with as the holidays can be particularly painful for those separated from a loved one. Mama C is the mother to nine beautiful children, one passed away and one adopted to America. She is a hardworking, devoted mother navigating the realities of poverty in Uganda. While many of us may understand poverty, our ability to truly grasp it in Uganda is limited. In Uganda, poverty is widespread and often generational, made heavier by the lack of access to education, work, healthcare, mental health services, and government support. In the West families can turn to social services in times of crisis, while the lack of government infrastructure in Uganda often leaves vulnerable families especially desperate. Orphanages were originally created to address this need and meant for temporary support only. During a difficult time, Mama C was approached by a pastor who offered to help one of her children access an education. As any loving parent would, she was torn between fear and hope. Fear of trusting someone else with her child, and the hope of what an education could could mean for their future. Over time, the orphanage began sponsoring each of her children’s schooling. She watched them grow, learn, and thrive. Then one day, she was told an American family wanted to adopt one of her children. Mama C did not fully understand adoption. She believed her child would receive a life changing education in America, while being cared for by a loving family, and that the separation would not be permanent. She also feared saying no, as she believed it could potentially upset the pastor and the organization he worked for, therefore risking the education they were sponsoring for her other children. When there are no real alternatives, choice becomes complicated. Years later, the longing to have her daughter home and embrace her once again has only deepened, and the weight of that loss is something she carries every. single. day. After years of being misled, ignored, and often lied to by the organization that facilitated her daughter being taken to America she reached out to Kugatta and for the first time was told what adoption actually means. As you can imagine, she was devastated. Mama C has allowed Kugatta to share her story not to shame or create conflict, but to help others understand the painful complexities within orphanages, sponsorship, and intercountry adoption. Her story is deep and painful. Her heartache is constant, yet she continues to inspire us with her relentless strength. Mama C’s story is why Kugatta exists. We are committed to showing up for her and families like hers, walking alongside them with care, dignity, and hope, one day at a time.

01/03/2026

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 10 years since we uncovered the painful truth that the little girl we adopted from Uganda had been unlawfully separated from her family and trafficked under the guise of intercountry adoption. On paper it seemed this child needed to be adopted, but those papers were filled with lies. The kind of lies that are often found in intercountry adoption paperwork. Lies meant to incite heightened emotions causing prospective adoptive parents to destroy a family that should have never been separated in the first place. Every time I see Namata with her family I am reminded of what truly stepping alongside a family in need looks like. Taking Namata away from her family didn’t help anyone. Keeping them together has helped in every way imaginable. Statistics tell us as high as 85% children in orphanages have families, yet what are we doing to resolve this tragedy? Knowing this, is adopting a child from an orphanage an act of love or is using our time and resources to bring positive change to the communities they are from and doing everything we can to empower their families so that the can stay together the truer act of love? These pictures are from our recent visit to deliver a Christmas meal and gifts to her family. Seeing them together and thriving is a reminder of everything that was almost lost when she was adopted. If you want to preserve families and help vulnerable children in developing countries, look for ways to offer support that ensure they get to grow up in the family into which they were born. Do not donate to or support systems that separate families, rather consider donating to organizations and programs that are committed to empowering and preserving families. Kugatta is one of these organizations and we are proud of the work we are doing within the family preservation sector. Our work would not be possible without the generosity of donors like you. On behalf of Kugatta and the families we serve, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Your compassion and contributions make a profound difference in helping these families thrive. Thank you for being a crucial part of our mission. Follow the link below to donate today!
https://paypal.me/kugatta?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US

01/03/2026

At Kugatta, we believe that investing in the lives of families is key to preventing unnecessary separations and fosters long-term healing and stability. This Christmas season, we were deeply honored to walk alongside families in many meaningful and tangible ways. Through your support, we were able to provide Christmas meals for sustenance, new clothes to restore confidence and open doors to job opportunities, livestock to support nourishment and economic stability, large food supplies to ease financial stress, and sustainable income-startup packages that will continue to bless families well beyond the holiday season. Families who attended the Kugatta Symposium also received a framed family photo to keep in their homes. This was a simple gift, but one that was requested and we believe makes for a powerful reminder of dignity, belonging, and togetherness. The joy and gratitude we witnessed upon receiving these photos was truly moving. One family in particular has been on a profound healing journey over the past few years, reconnecting with children from which they had once been separated. Their journey has been complex, but witnessing their renewed bond and shared healing has been powerful for everyone involved. Seeing families thrive together is at the heart of everything we do at Kugatta. We believe in love, resilience, restoration, and the power of family.

This year’s Christmas outreach grew significantly compared to last year. We were able to serve over 25 families, along with 13 individual volunteers and workers who have supported Kugatta throughout the year through the Builders Camp, the Symposium, and Christmas shopping and deliveries. In total, we provided Christmas meals and gifts to over 168 adults and children. Each Christmas package included staple food items such as sugar, rice, beans, maize flour, cooking oil, chickens, meat, bread, pasta, and spreads, along with small gifts like new clothes, shoes, and toys. The joy on the faces of children and adults alike was a beautiful reminder of how far dignity and care can go.
Beyond immediate needs, Kugatta also invested in long-term sustainability. Several families received startup supplies for small businesses, including book-making materials, piggery investments with feeds, support toward medical care, and startup capital for soap-making, brick-making, and other income-generating work. Many families began using these supplies immediately after Christmas, already producing goods and planning for continued income.

The season was not without challenges. Transportation was especially difficult due to bulky supplies, heavy rains, poor village roads, and reliance on public transport. Deliveries often required multiple trips, hired vehicles, and long waits, sometimes resulting in delayed or canceled journeys. Despite these obstacles, Gladys persevered, traveling through rain, mud, traffic delays, and very long days to ensure all families were reached. For several days, we hired a van to reach remote families and transported large, heavy supplies, allowing us to serve many households in a short period of time. What stood out most this Christmas was realizing how deeply Kugatta’s presence has become a part of their lives. Some families marked their calendars anticipating our visit, which was an unexpected reminder of the trust, hope, and consistency that has been built over time. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made this season possible. Your generosity, prayers, and partnership allowed Kugatta to not only bring Christmas meals and gifts, but dignity, opportunity, and lasting impact. Thank you for standing with families and making healing, stability, and togetherness possible this Christmas.

12/13/2025

🎄 This Christmas, Give a Family in Uganda the Gift of Hope 🎄

Each holiday season Kugatta works diligently to ensure that every family on our program receives the food supplies necessary to enjoy a warm Christmas meal, and if possible extra provisions to support their food needs in the weeks ahead. In addition, if we have enough funds, we provide a small gift for each child, dental supplies (like toothbrushes and toothpaste), and essential health supplies like soap to help keep families healthy and safe. But if we receive donations beyond what is needed for these main packages, those funds will go towards meeting many other critical needs, such as:

✨ Providing mattresses for a restful night’s sleep
✨ Helping with school fees to keep a child in class
✨ Providing livestock to improve their income and nutrition
✨ Supplying water tanks for clean water access
✨ Offering solar panels for lighting and safety
✨ Investing in small businesses to help families thrive
✨ Providing clothes to boost self-confidence, dignity, and support work opportunities

This is where you come in. Your generous donations to Kugatta this holiday season will not only bring joy to a family, but it will also have a lasting impact on their well-being and future. Your gift will help improve their nutrition, provide economic opportunities, and, most importantly, work towards keeping families together and preventing separation. Please consider giving today and help us bless Ugandan families in need this Christmas. Together, we can make a difference. Follow this link to make a difference today or message us if you prefer to send a check: https://paypal.me/kugatta?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US
Kugatta is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization. All donations will receive a receipt for your records.

12/12/2025

The final night together at the 2025 Symposium will stay with us for a long time. What began as a simple closing dinner became one of the most moving experiences of the entire symposium. It was a night designed to remind each parent, grandparent, and young adult that they matter, that they are seen, and that they are worthy of celebration. There was a palpable sense of joy and awe felt as everyone approached the decorated lakeside space. The soft night breeze off the water, the glow of the lights, and the care that went into every detail had created a setting that felt almost healing in itself. Much of the meal was simple with chips, chicken, and fresh salads on the menu, but judging by the reactions, it felt extraordinary. It was the kind of meal one might save for a special occasion or when you want someone to feel cherished. Non-alcoholic beverages, sodas, water, condiments and fresh fruit were placed on every table, offering something for everyone to enjoy. There was laughter as families tasted foods and drinks they had never tried before, savoring each bite and each moment. Throughout the evening, individuals were given the opportunity to speak. It was both humbling and deeply moving to hear how so many felt that they had grown emotionally, economically, socially, and spiritually since coming to know Kugatta. They reflected on the challenges they have overcome, the healing that had and still was taking place within their families, and the strength they have discovered within themselves and within this community. There was music, dancing, and so much laughter. Towards the end of the night we brought out a cake. We told them it was a celebration of parenthood, resilience, and the beauty of standing together. It was an uplifting conclusion to the profound learning, courageous storytelling, and heartfelt emotional work they had done over the past few days.

Afterwards, the messages and phone calls poured in. Many told us they had never experienced anything like this evening in their lives. Some said it felt like something they had only seen on television. Others shared that the night lifted burdens they had carried for years. Several even asked if we could print photos from the dinner to show their families, a sign of how treasured this moment truly was. What touched us most was hearing, again and again, “I felt appreciated in a way I never have before.” That is why this night mattered. Not because of the food or the decorations, though they were beautiful, but because our families felt honored. They felt celebrated. They felt like they belonged. It was a sacred reminder of what dignity looks like when it’s lived out in community. And to everyone who makes this work possible, thank you. Your support allows us not only to teach and equip, but to create moments like this: moments that restore hope, strengthen families, and remind people of their immeasurable worth. If you feel moved to help us continue this vital work of preserving and strengthening vulnerable families in Uganda, you can give at the link below. Your generosity truly makes all of this possible.Donate here: https://paypal.me/kugatta?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US

12/12/2025

Food is always a core part of our symposium planning because we want families to feel cared for both emotionally and physically. Our cook/chef worked tirelessly to ensure every meal was warm, plentiful, and ready when needed. So many meaningful moments happened during mealtimes. Sharing food together, laughing over plates of rice and beans, sipping tea, or passing chapati were all reminders of the community we had built and the bonds we cherish. We are deeply grateful to our amazing cook, Hamidah, and for the hands that helped prepare and serve each dish with such care.

Kugatta

04/24/2026

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01/06/2026

01/05/2026

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