Over 300 helpless as founder abandons orphanage in Kiryandongo
Previously, the Agricultural Center at Restoration Gateway grew 80% of the food needed for the children and staff, but currently, operations have ceased, leaving many vulnerable to hunger.
Kiryandongo: A crisis is unfolding at Restoration Gateway, a Christian NGO in Kiryandongo district, where over 300 individuals including orphans and staff are stranded after the founder reportedly abandoned the facility.
Established in 2005 by Dr. David Tim McCall and his wife Janice to assist orphans affected by the LRA wars, the organization comprises an orphanage, school, and health center in Bedmot village, Karuma town.
Christine Atimango, a dedicated orphanage staff member for seven years, highlighted that conditions began deteriorating last year. She stressed that many staff members have resorted to hunting for food, as the organization is unable to provide for the children due to severe financial constraints.
Over 150 workers from health and education departments have laid down their tools due to five months of unpaid wages.
Teachers like Kenneth Ayesiga are urging local authorities to intervene, stressing the dire situation for both orphans and their families. Onega Francis, a hospital staff member, described the gradual decline in support, noting that payments had been irregular for months before stopping entirely.
Eunice Oroma, a medical officer, reported that repeated attempts to engage relevant authorities have been fruitless. Dianah Nakyobinga, the hospital administrator, expressed deep concern over the lack of basic needs for both staff and children. ‘’I have raised these issues several times during our meeting, but in vain,’’ she said adding that the organization founders are currently unreachable.
The Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Kiryandongo, Samuel Mbabazi, has acknowledged the complaints and attributed the issues to the withdrawal of funding by the organization’s main donor. He has committed to reaching out to relevant offices to seek assistance for those affected.
‘’There is urgent need for intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of the vulnerable individuals relying on Restoration Gateway for care and support,’’ he said.
About Restoration Gateway
Restoration Gateway was born out of a vision for healing and support in Northern Uganda, where decades of conflict led by Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army devastated communities. In 2004, seven Ugandan men began gathering under a tree, believing it symbolized restoration for their war-torn land.
In 2005, Dr. Tim and Janice McCall from Waco, Texas, traveled to the region with a mission to establish a center for spiritual and physical restoration. By 2007, they acquired 750 acres along the Nile River in Kiryandongo district, where Restoration Gateway was founded.
Today, over 170 orphaned children call Restoration Gateway home, receiving education at the Oaks of Righteousness Christian School. The organization employs more than 150 Ugandan staff across various roles, including a well-equipped Level 4 hospital that serves both orphans and the surrounding community.
Previously, the Agricultural Center at Restoration Gateway grew 80% of the food needed for the children and staff, but currently, operations have ceased, leaving many vulnerable to hunger.
In April 2018, President Yoweri Museveni visited the facility and pledged support, including extending the national electricity grid to reduce reliance on diesel generators and improving access to the hospital.
Restoration Gateway had been receiving support from Baylor Scott & White Healthcare Systems, a prominent U.S. healthcare organization. However, financial backing has reportedly ceased due to allegations of fund mismanagement by the founders, creating further challenges for the organization and the individuals it serves.
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