The Foundation History of HRO
Augustine’s Background
Living in a small town in Teso, his family had always provided unhealthy environment which seemed to offer no hope for the future; a young independent and determined Augustine Ingolan found himself surviving in the streets of Uganda.
He spent several years moving around until he eventually ended up in Jinja town in Eastern Uganda. It was a tough life. Every day was a fight for survival. On the days Augustine could not get work, he could not get money thus no food. He went to sleep hungry many nights.
On arrival to Jinja, he got experience with a nearby organization and worked his way into attending their Bible School. After completing school, he remained as a staff member until the time came for him to move on. He later attended another Discipleship School with a different organization for 5 months. At this stage he had boosted his self-esteem, believed in himself and had good general life and decision-making skills. He went to live independently until he made his appearance in the US.
Sara and Augustine
In 2015, as Augustine spent time in his first Bible School, Sara came as a team member from the US to do mission work in Uganda at that same base in Jinja. Their first meeting was at the airport, and they worked together throughout the month on construction projects and local church ministry. They really began to connect at the end of the summer, and, when Sara returned home, they were able to stay in touch. They began to develop their relationship and over the next few years Sara would make return trips to Uganda to engage in ministry as well as to strengthen their connection. In 2019, after a year-long immigration process, Augustine flew to the US and the couple was married. They were blessed with a baby boy in 2020 amidst the global pandemic and began processing their organization, Hands of Restoration Outreach.
HRO BORN
The beginning of Hands of Restoration Outreach
Over the course of their relationship, Sara and Augustine shared their passion for street children and began to develop the foundation for their ministry. Augustine had much experience with the street children both from his past and in his missional outreaches. Sara had a great love for teaching and helping children in need. In September of 2021 the vision was born as Hands of Restoration Outreach and established with the government of Uganda.
The Hands of Restoration Outreach
Hands of Restoration Outreach is a development organization involved in the support of most vulnerable children, youth, single mothers and inmates. The organization was founded in 2021 to respond to the need created by high level of poverty, unskilled youth, early marriages, broken families, and street children in different communities in Uganda. Our mandate is to support most vulnerable children in attaining their full potential, teach youth to be self-supporting through providing relevant applicable skills-based information and capacity building in the area of community development through productive living. We focus our programs on medical needs, education, sports skills training, technology integration and development.
Hands of Restoration Outreach believes that a safe environment for children, positive parenting, youth skilling can only be done with the active participation of their families and communities as primary duty bearers. They must participate in the design, management and evaluation of the programs aimed at rehabilitating, integration, development and participation of their children and youth.
We also believe that the participation of communities and other stakeholders in the development process, child protection, youth skilling and research are essential elements for the success of these programs. Hands of Restoration Outreach therefore, works in partnership with a range of stakeholders’ namely local leaders, parents, youth rehabilitation institutions, health sector, donors, local NGOs, police, Schools, prisons, church-based organizations and other child-youth related development partners.
Some of Our Team Members
Prosper Wambi
John Martin Oma
Kenneth Omuron
Elijah Tumwende
Mama Waiswa & Mama Petu
Hear what some of our beneficiaries have to say
Growing up in the streets wasn’t easy. Every day was a struggle to survive, and I didn’t see a way out of that life. But then, one day, HRO reached out to me and changed my life forever.They gave me a chance to go to school, something that I thought was impossible for someone like me. They provided me with everything I needed – from books to uniforms – and helped me to excel in my studies. They didn’t just give me an education; they gave me hope for a better future. I cannot express my gratitude enough for what HRO has done for me. They have shown me that there are still good people in this world who are willing to help those in need. Thanks to them, I now have a brighter future ahead of me. To the kind souls who have made this possible, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I promise to work hard and make the most of this opportunity that you have given me. I will never forget your kindness and generosity.
My name is Shifra,
I am seven years old. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for everything that you have done for me. As you know, I lost both of my parents, and I was all alone in the world. I didn’t know what to do, where to go, or who to turn to.But then, you came along and picked me up. You put me into school, where I have been studying very hard. I love learning, and I want to make those who support me proud by doing well in school.
Thanks to your help, I am able to go to school, get an education, and have a chance at a better future. You have given me hope, love, and support, and I cannot express how grateful I am for that.I promise to work hard every day and make the most of the opportunities you have given me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
And above all, I am praying to God for a sponsor to support me fully.