I have set up this GoFundMe on behalf of my friend Bukenya in Uganda, East Africa, who has been advocating for education and well-being of kids in his village for over 5 years. His work is well documented on his TikTok @LifewithAfrica and Instagram @bukenya_7.
Here is his story:
My name is Bukenya Ibrahim, a social worker dedicated to changing the lives of orphans and underprivileged children in the village of Kisozi, in Kamuli (neighboring Jinja), Uganda. You may know me from TikTok (@lifewithAfrica) or Instagram (@bukenya_7), where I share the realities, struggles, and joys of the children we support in the last 5 years.
WHY THIS CAMPAIGN
For a long time, I have relied on sporadic donations and personal funds to keep our operations running. However, managing urgent needs through direct messages is becoming impossible. Children fall sick in the middle of the night, or food runs out, and waiting for a response to a DM can sometimes be too late. Furthermore, I want to be transparent and make it easier for those who want to support us without the hassle of back-and-forth messaging.
OUR GOAL: $12,000 FOR 12 MONTHS
STABILITY
My goal is to raise $12,000 to cover a monthly budget of roughly $1,000 for the next year. This will allow us to move from "survival mode" to a sustainable support system.
Here is exactly how your donation will be used:
- Critical Medical Care: We care for children with chronic conditions, including Sickle Cell Anemia, Pneumonia, and HIV. These children live with elderly grandparents who cannot afford treatment. We need a fund ready for medical emergencies and monthly medication.
- Food Security: While I cannot provide three meals a day, I am committed to ensuring these children have at least one guaranteed meal daily or solid food support over the weekends. Hunger should not be a barrier to their growth.
- Education (School Fees): I currently sponsor 15 children. Thanks to a previous donor, their 2024–2025 tuition was covered, but we need to secure their education for the upcoming year.
- Hygiene & Sanitation: Dignity is essential. We spend roughly 40,000 UGX per child on toothpaste, soap, jelly, and crucially—sanitary pads for our girls. Currently, this comes out of my mother’s retirement money or my small business income, which is not sustainable.
- Clothing & Bedding: Kids grow fast. We constantly need shoes, clothes, and warm blankets. I often scour flea markets using my own pay, but with a dedicated fund, we can ensure every child is clothed properly.
- Operational Costs: We rent a center that serves as our office, kitchen, and safe space. This fund covers rent, water, electricity, and modest stipends for the volunteers who help cook and care for the children
JOIN US IN A NEW WAY TO GIVE
This GoFundMe is the solution, whether you donate $5 or $500, you are not just giving us money, you are giving us the ability that ensures we can handle everything from a broken shoe, a hungry child, a torn uniform or bag, to a hospital visit in crisis or emergency immediately.
I will post an update here every month showing receipts and photos of what we bought.
Please help us keep the smiles on these faces and ensure they have a bright future ahead of them.
Thank you kindly,
Bukenya