We Care About it All, Because God Cares About it All

If you think Okoa does a lot, you are right. What began as a dream to care for a few children became fuel to help bring transformation and stabilization to entire communities in partnership with the local Church. In all things, Okoa encourages indigenous autonomy. That’s simply a fancy way of admitting that we recognize we don’t know everything or have all the answers. So we prioritize humility in meeting people where they are, to solve problems that they identify, with solutions they suggest.

750

Churches Planted

550

Children Rescued

102

Bible Schools

Community Development

Since 2013, more than 1,000 families have been impacted through vocational training, education, and our extremely successful microfinance loan program. Our Community Empowerment Program (CEP) model utilizes churches as community anchors to create job opportunities for the most under-resourced. As a result, more children remain with their families and are more likely to be educated! Together, we link arms to build dreams and restore dignity.

Family & Disability Program

Okoa’s Family & Disability Program partners with families as they grow to confidently lead, provide, and care for their children with disabilities and/or significant medical needs. Powered by incredible generosity, we cover surgery costs, provide medicines and therapies, and supply specialized, custom assistive devices. Parents pursue vocations (for financial stability), grow in positive parenting skills, create the best environments for their children to thrive, and connect with other families. Both individual and community capacity is built—this is the essence of orphan prevention!

House of Joy Hospital

In partnership with the friends and family of Cailyn Nelson, House of Joy Hospital provides the under-resourced with affordable, quality healthcare. Okoa believes all people should have access to a lab, trained medical professionals, and a full pharmacy to meet their needs. Our talented team includes a doctor, nurses, a dentist, a nutritionist, a midwife, lab techs, and caring support staff—all bringing warmth and quality of care that is above standard. We’re humbled to continue building our patient volume and reputation within the village and greater Masaka.

Family & Disability Program

Okoa’s Family & Disability Program partners with families as they grow to confidently lead, provide, and care for their children with disabilities and/or significant medical needs. Powered by incredible generosity, we cover surgery costs, provide medicines and therapies, and supply specialized, custom assistive devices. Parents pursue vocations (for financial stability), grow in positive parenting skills, create the best environments for their children to thrive, and connect with other families. Both individual and community capacity is built—this is the essence of orphan prevention!

House of Joy Hospital

In partnership with the friends and family of Cailyn Nelson, House of Joy Hospital provides the under-resourced with affordable, quality healthcare. Okoa believes all people should have access to a lab, trained medical professionals, and a full pharmacy to meet their needs. Our talented team includes a doctor, nurses, a dentist, a nutritionist, a midwife, lab techs, and caring support staff—all bringing warmth and quality of care that is above standard. We’re humbled to continue building our patient volume and reputation within the village and greater Masaka.

Child Rescue Center

Okoa’s Residential Child Rescue Center is truly special! We’re passionate about these amazing children, but we believe no child should have to grow up in an institution. Okoa works diligently to find permanent homes for each child in our care. This means tracing relatives or connecting with local adoptive families to help secure a child’s future.

Gender-based Violence Shelters

When a contract ended with an organization that ran a GBV shelter, the Ugandan government requested Okoa take over, ensuring vital services for survivors escaping sex work, trafficking, and abuse continued. Our survivor-first approach includes emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual care to those affected. We then work with law enforcement and the court systems to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

PLANTING CHURCHES

To date, Okoa has planted 750 churches, becoming an incredible movement! Churches we plant are not governed by us. Rather, churches are planted under indigenous church associations. Okoa helps East Africans establish these associations, and the associations provide Biblical oversight and accountability. Okoa also directly supports church health. Annually, the physical, spiritual, financial, and emotional health of pastors, pastors’ families, and congregations at large are assessed. From there, we encourage and partner with each pastor as they continue shepherding their community.

Bible Schools

Okoa Refuge’s Bible School’s 2-year intensive program equips leaders to impact their spheres of influence and produces pastors. Every church should have a qualified pastor, but attending an accredited Bible College or Seminary is not an option for many. This inspired the creation of Okoa’s Bible Schools, which currently have over 2200 students enrolled!

Local Missionaries

Many Okoa Refuge Bible School graduates become long-term missionaries around Uganda and across East Africa. After completing Bible School, these leaders complete a special training, Perspectives in World Missions, with the help of our wonderful partners at Way of Salvation Church. Finally, they are sent out and cared for by Way of Salvation’s team!

PARTNER WITH US

Consider partnering with us by sponsoring a specific need, joining a child’s care team, joining the prayer team, or becoming a monthly donor! Have questions? Fill out our contact form, and someone from the Okoa Refuge team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

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