2026: We support 500 families

For months, we planned, organised, collected donations and prayed – in Austria, Germany and Uganda. At the beginning of 2026, our goal was to distribute 500 bags. Thanks to the support of many donors, we were able to make this goal a reality. Not quite in the way we had originally planned, but …

Preparations

The preparations were already in full swing weeks before our journey. This time, Alex travelled to Uganda with his entire family. This made the planning considerably more challenging, and there were several things that could have disrupted our plans: repeated flight schedule changes, the war in Iran and, finally, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which also had an impact on Uganda. But thank God (!) everything worked out.

As early as March, we began organising the project together with our friend Godfrey, our “man on the ground” in Uganda. Bags were sewn and printed, clothes were made by Ugandan tailors, Bibles were purchased and large quantities of food were bought.

The aim of our association is not only to support families in need, but also to provide work and income for local traders, farmers, tailors and other small businesses. That is why we buy everything directly in Uganda whenever possible.

First activity near Kasese

One week after our arrival, we travelled to Njamuamba East near Kasese in western Uganda, where we planned to distribute the first part of the bags. That was where the real work began.

Many children were already waiting excitedly. DJ Sky provided a great – and rather loud – programme to get everyone started. Meanwhile, together with many helpers, we packed hundreds of bags. Rice, beans, maize flour, sugar, soap, clothes, Bibles and other everyday necessities were carefully packed into the bags. As in previous years, the distribution was about much more than simply handing out a bag. After a small snack, we went with the children to the football field of the nearby school to play together. After the game, everyone received some glucose sweets to regain their energy.

Some of the children and parents shared their experiences with “The Bag” with the audience. We were especially happy to hear that, for some families, the Bible has now found a permanent place in their daily lives and that they regularly read it together. The Chairman also said a few words of thanks. Then it was finally time to distribute the bags. First came the refills – 90 in total! These were for bags from previous years that the children had brought back. The refills contained food and hygiene products. After that, we distributed 230 new bags to other children. Unfortunately, this part of the distribution became a little chaotic at times.

At the same time, Birgit, Doreen, a teacher, and Beatrice, a midwife, gathered 25 teenage girls and talked with them about menstrual hygiene and teenage pregnancies. This small programme was extremely valuable and is absolutely necessary. We would like to continue and expand it in the coming years.

For many families, I believe, it was not only the practical help that mattered, but also the feeling that someone sees them, cares about them and has not forgotten them.

Our team in Kasese

Bags for Fort Portal

A few days later, our journey continued to Nkimbiri near Fort Portal. Numerous families were waiting for us there as well. To transport the supplies from Kasese to Nkimbiri, we had to hire a large pickup truck because all the materials simply would not fit into our safari van.

After being welcomed by the Chairman and hearing a few words from us, parents and children, we were able to distribute 50 refills and 120 new bags.

There were also enough remaining supplies to give something to additional children.

So, although we did not reach our original goal of distributing 500 new bags, we were able to distribute 350 new bags and 140 refills, helping many families with food, hygiene products, clothing and other necessities. Together with the additional food and supplies we were able to distribute, we were still able to reach our goal of helping 500 families.

We are very thankful

Looking back on our weeks in Uganda, above all, we feel grateful. Grateful to God, who opened doors, protected us and provided for us again and again. Grateful to all our supporters who made this project possible through their donations, prayers and encouragement. And grateful to the many people in Uganda who blessed us with their hospitality, their joy and their deep faith.

Once again, we realised how important good partnerships on the ground are. Without our Ugandan friends, a project of this size would simply not be possible.

From the bottom of our hearts: thank you!

Without you, these (nearly) 500 bags – and all the help connected with them – would never have been possible.

Warm regards!

Alex

The report to download and share: