Helping Uganda Children

Hello Friends, as we all know there are a lot of people in need in this world and it is hard to know what it is we can do to make any form of a difference. In America it is hard to understand what it is like to have to walk 2 miles for water each day or go days not knowing if you are going to eat. In Uganda this is what happens for many and especially for these orphans that I have had the pleasure with interacting with through Facebook.
A wonderful man Mugabi Joseph , or Uncle Joseph ( to the 27+ children he looks after ) was born and raised in Uganda with very similar conditions to the children he looks after now. With no family since he was 1 , he has found a way to look past the hard times and try and make the childrens lives look a little brighter any way he can. He is 26 years old, same as myself, and when he was younger, a woman looked after him and put him through schooling up until highschool. He now can talk in English and tries to use the things he learned to help in the situations he is in.

A little insight as what their days look like.. all of them make their ways to a little water hole everyday which is a two mile walk. They used to eat 3 times a day , all of which consists of,  rice, maize flour, and beans. Now, they are limited to 2 times a day. They are such sweet children who's spirits are high. But there are many difficult days. Children reach a point in there lives where they start to think and wonder where their parents are and it is hard to answer that question. Joseph tries his hardest to let them know they are loved, and he tries hard to give these children an opportunity in life. A lot of them think they are not loved, or that their parents didn't want them or love them. This is heartbreaking and takes a strong individual to be there and support these children. To have their basic needs met isn't easy in Uganda.
Useful and important tools are far overpriced and in the hands of people who will tax them because they need money too. Many people ask and tell Joseph, why not just leave the children and enjoy your life. This just is not the way for him. He loves them so deeply and knows that money and solitude does not compare to the love he shares with these children. These children need him. Joseph and I share many things in common. He likes to paint, and everytime he goes to the market he tries to sell them. This is how he earns his money to pay for himself and the childrens food, water containers, clothes, and hopefully schooling.
It takes 40$ per child to put them into schooling for 4 months. Its takes a 1$ a day to feed one child. It takes a moment to stop and think of them. They are hoping to one day afford to buy a water tank which would fill up when it rains. It rains about 3 times a month in Uganda and this would help them not having to walk 2 miles with all the children all the time. Unfortunetly , a water tank is 800$ in Uganda. Joseph is a really amazing human and is very open to showing us what things look like, and where funds can help. Also, mail isn't an option. You can send letters but packages are also taxed highly and hard to recieve. 
I will be replicating and making new pieces of art where all the funds will go directly to him and the children.

Joseph has also emphasized to me, that although money can help a lot, just the pure act of taking a moment to think of them is enough. He greatly appreciates and loves you.

Something he has said to me I would love to share with you is, 
"I believe it takes a heart to help a heart"