By Ivan Naijuka
Kamwokya, Kampala — The Diocese of Kampala, through its Family Life Ministries, has celebrated children under the Feed My Lamb project with a colourful Christmas party held at St. John’s Church of Uganda, Kamwokya, aimed at sharing love, encouragement, and hope as the year comes to an end.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Miriam Mukoombozi Birakwate, the Diocesan Family Life Ministries Coordinator, said the Family Life office coordinates activities of the Mothers’ Union, Fathers’ Union, Young Marrieds, Ruth Ministry, and the Christian Women Fellowship. She explained that Feed My Lamb is one of the flagship projects under the Family Ministry, inspired by Jesus’ instruction to Peter to “feed my lambs.”
“As women of the Diocese, this is exactly what we seek to do,” Mrs. Birakwate said. “Through this project, we care for vulnerable children by sponsoring them in school and walking with them spiritually and emotionally.”
She noted that the support given goes beyond school fees. The children are met quarterly for prayer, mentorship, counselling, and provision of food and other basic necessities. The ministry also takes time to understand the children’s home environments and life challenges.
“This year, we decided to go a step further by organizing a Christmas party for the children, so that we could celebrate together as we close the year. Interaction, love, and encouragement are just as important as financial support,” she added.
Mrs. Birakwate expressed gratitude to the parishes across the Diocese, which contributed items including sugar, soap, clothes, and Vaseline. As a result, every child received a Christmas hamper.
Currently, the Feed My Lamb project supports 30 children, with plans underway to increase the number to about 40. Most of the children are in primary school, while two are in secondary school.
The Mothers’ Union and Christian Women Fellowship President, Mrs. Elizabeth Caroline Kikoyo, said the women were delighted to host the children and their guardians and parents to celebrate Christmas together.
“Today, we are very pleased and blessed to host our children from Feed My Lamb as we celebrate Christmas together,” she said. “We are joined by members of the Women’s Executive, guardians and parents of the children, as well as members of the Ruth Ministry.”
Mrs. Kikoyo explained that the women shared rice, sugar, soap, and cash with the children, emphasizing that Christmas is a time for sharing and demonstrating Christ’s love in practical ways.
“The Bible reminds us that faith without works is dead. This act of giving reflects our faith and our love for one another,” she said, adding that the women were grateful to God for enabling them to end the year in unity.
Delivering a message to the gathering, the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Dr. Henry Majwala, encouraged the children not to take the opportunity they have been given for granted, urging them to value education as a foundation for their future. He also called upon parents and guardians to remain supportive and actively involved in their children’s lives, rather than leaving the responsibility entirely to the women supporting the project.
Rev. Dr. Majwala further encouraged the women to continue doing good, reminding them that the children they are nurturing are the future of both the Church and the nation.
One of the sponsored children, Akandwanaho Joel, an S.4 Vacist sponsored by the All Saints’ Cathedral Kampala Mothers’ Union, delivered an emotional vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries.
“When I joined the Feed My Lamb project, I did not know much, but today I can confidently stand and speak,” Joel said. “Thank you for extending your kindness to us. We are truly grateful to God and to you. Your support is not in vain.”
Joel added that since Primary One, his school fees, books, and school uniform have been fully provided by the Mothers’ Union of All Saints’ Cathedral Kampala, noting that the support has greatly shaped his life and future.