Gerald and Maria are teenage orphans from Uganda. Their parents died last year, leaving Gerald, just 17, to care for his younger sister Maria. They sleep in a small shelter, and Gerald tries to find small jobs—washing clothes, fetching water, helping at a stall—but most people see a hungry boy and turn away. With no family to turn to, they rely on each other and their faith, hoping each sunrise will bring a kinder day. I met Gerald in a Christianity subreddit during Christmas of 2025, where he was seeking answers to questions about suicide because their situation was so bleak. I reached out and found a teenage brother struggling to shoulder the responsibilities of life in Uganda with no parents and no other family. After confirming Gerald and Maria were real people and not online scammers, I began a friendship with them that has been deeply rewarding, but also emotionally painful, as I do not have the means to provide all they need to survive.
Most days, Gerald and Maria do not know where their next meal will come from. Sometimes they share a single small meal of porridge or boiled cassava; other days, they go to sleep with empty stomachs and tell each other stories to forget the hunger. Sickness is a constant threat. Gerald recently suffered through malaria, and Maria has been getting sick more often—fevers and coughs that linger. When you are an orphan, a simple illness becomes a nightmare. They cannot afford clinic fees or basic medicines like paracetamol or malaria treatment. Gerald has had to watch his sister suffer through the night with no help, describing it as the worst feeling in the world.
They lack the most basic things: soap, toothpaste, a mattress that isn’t just rags on mud, shoes without holes, and a small light so Maria can study the few books she has. The funds raised will go directly to food—a weekly supply of maize flour, beans, vegetables, and sometimes a little rice or oil, so Maria does not cry from hunger anymore. Donations will also provide medication—a small emergency fund for malaria tests, treatment, pain relief, and clinic visits when they are both very sick. Additionally, the funds will cover their rent and food expenses for an entire year, giving them stability and hope. Support will also help Maria continue her education in any way possible, even if it is informal for now.
Despite everything, Maria still smiles. She believes that tomorrow will be better, and that belief is why Gerald cannot give up. Despite their circumstances, they continue to pray for me, and I for them. Gerald and Maria are not asking for a miracle, but for people who have a little more to help them reach the next sunrise with dignity. Even a small gift can buy food for a week or medicine for a fever. If you cannot give, please share their story. Sharing costs nothing but can change everything for two orphans in Uganda. Every gift makes a difference. Thank you for caring.
Most days, Gerald and Maria do not know where their next meal will come from. Sometimes they share a single small meal of porridge or boiled cassava; other days, they go to sleep with empty stomachs and tell each other stories to forget the hunger. Sickness is a constant threat. Gerald recently suffered through malaria, and Maria has been getting sick more often—fevers and coughs that linger. When you are an orphan, a simple illness becomes a nightmare. They cannot afford clinic fees or basic medicines like paracetamol or malaria treatment. Gerald has had to watch his sister suffer through the night with no help, describing it as the worst feeling in the world.
They lack the most basic things: soap, toothpaste, a mattress that isn’t just rags on mud, shoes without holes, and a small light so Maria can study the few books she has. The funds raised will go directly to food—a weekly supply of maize flour, beans, vegetables, and sometimes a little rice or oil, so Maria does not cry from hunger anymore. Donations will also provide medication—a small emergency fund for malaria tests, treatment, pain relief, and clinic visits when they are both very sick. Additionally, the funds will cover their rent and food expenses for an entire year, giving them stability and hope. Support will also help Maria continue her education in any way possible, even if it is informal for now.
Despite everything, Maria still smiles. She believes that tomorrow will be better, and that belief is why Gerald cannot give up. Despite their circumstances, they continue to pray for me, and I for them. Gerald and Maria are not asking for a miracle, but for people who have a little more to help them reach the next sunrise with dignity. Even a small gift can buy food for a week or medicine for a fever. If you cannot give, please share their story. Sharing costs nothing but can change everything for two orphans in Uganda. Every gift makes a difference. Thank you for caring.
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