LOCATION: Uganda
TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT: My passion is to support and empower teenage girls facing a pregnancy crisis in Kampala, Uganda while sharing the love of Christ with them.
MINISTRY FOCUS: With the average age being 15, Uganda is a young nation overwhelmed with a staggering number of child marriages and teenage pregnancies. It has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in East Africa. Sadly, during the pandemic, teenage pregnancy cases skyrocketed by 366%.
Having witnessed firsthand a teenage mother’s intense love for her precious baby on one of my numerous trips to Uganda, I vowed to help her and many other young mothers. Hence, I have made it my life’s mission to help young girls under the age of 18 in pregnancy crisis by envisioning, founding, and directing Leora Ministry.
The word “Leora” means “to be a light” in Hebrew: it is mine and my team’s desire to shine a light in the lives of young Ugandan girls. Leora Ministry’s mission is to equip young girls in pregnancy crisis, to provide for their babies and succeed in life.
Leora Ministry consists of my team of eight running a day program where girls attend, along with their babies, classes in business, health and wellness, child development, and discipleship. We also offer skills training in hairstyling, tailoring, jewelry training, candle making, etc. We have successful Ugandan businesswomen share with the girls as well.
My team and I partner with the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Uganda (PAG), working with a local church in Kampala. My ultimate goal is to replicate this model for other local churches.
YOUR IMPACT: You will provide upwards of 20 girls per year, with the potential to help more, be equipped with the life skills and tools to care for their babies, while finding hope in Christ.
MINISTRY HISTORY: In 2006, at only 18 years old, I embarked on my first short-term mission trip to Uganda. I then continued going on short and midterm trips from 2006 to 2019 to Uganda. In 2010, I attended Master’s College and Seminary, completing my Bachelor of Theology (Youth Ministry). I chose to complete my internship in Uganda before graduating in 2014. I then worked for five years at Christian Horizons, a Canadian organization that supports people with disabilities, until becoming a full-time global worker in 2020.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- For God to transform each young mother as she experiences His love through visiting the centre.
- For God to bring more financial partners alongside our ministry as it continues to grow.
- For God to give me His wisdom, protection, and strength as I serve Him.
