FAQ in relation to St. Mark's school

Where do the children come from?
The children come from local villages, and also from the surrounding hill villages and rural areas up to a distance of a two hour walk.

What will my sponsorship pay for?
Your sponsorship of an orphan will pay for school fees, books and writing equipment, uniform, shoes and two meals a day.

Can I choose the child, what about siblings?
An African Dream collects a profile (a photograph and limited details about the child and his or her circumstances). This is all the information that we have access to and it will be sent to you if you decide to sponsor an orphan. It is possible for you to request a girl or boy and we will try to match your requirement, although we cannot guarantee it. Many of the children are in the 10 to 15 age range, as orphans will be last in educational priority in an extended family. Sometimes a set of details will include siblings, but families are often split up between different relatives and we may not be in contact with all the children. Polygamy is not against the law and the child of one wife, who has died, will not be considered the responsibility of another.

Are the children HIV positive? What health care is being offered?
The children have an annual health assessment which includes HIV testing, and health care is provided by AAD. The government is gradually introducing inoculation programmes and the children will have routine immunizations against common infectious diseases.

What is life like for these children?
Many homes in this area of Uganda are still traditionally constructed from a wooden frame stuck together with mud; the roof may be made of banana leaves, although the use of corrugated iron roofs and bricks is becoming more common. Furniture is minimal perhaps only a bed. There is no running water or electricity. Cooking is done outside over charcoal. It is dark from 7.00pm - 6.30 a.m. The surrounding land is often owned by the family and is worked in order to produce food for themselves and, if they are lucky, some extra to sell. Children are expected to help in the home, collecting firewood, fetching water, and on the land. The stable diet for these people is Matoke which is steamed plantain (banana); it is bland and is a bit like mashed potatoes. Beans, peanuts and pineapples are also common. Goat may be eaten on special occasions; the intestines are served to the most honoured guests!

Can I write to the child, can I expect replies?
If you wish to write to your child please do so via the administrator's contact address, which will be sent to you. Letters will then be forwarded to Rev Lumika who has a post office box in Kasese, the nearest big town one hour's drive away. Post is not always reliable but if it reaches Rev Lumika he will then deliver the letter at the next opportunity. Sponsored children are encouraged to write to their sponsors at least once a year usually when a team is visiting and letters can be brought home.

May I send presents?
Gifts for all our orphans – usually clothes - are taken out by visiting teams. It is difficult to distribute personal gifts from sponsors to their orphans and we feel it is unfair on children who receive nothing.

To see our accounts, please click here.