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.
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.