In 2000 God blessed Edith with a son, Derrick. Only a few days after Derrick was born, he was diagnosed with Malaria. While he was discharged from the hospital and appeared to recover, it became apparent he wasn’t growing as he should. He was then diagnosed with Meningitis, which infected him through his spinal cord and damaged his brain. He suffered from convulsions and a breathing problem, requiring frequent hospitalizations for years.

While seeking treatment, exercises, and medications for Derrick, Edith and her husband realized they weren’t the only parents living with a disabled child. Despite many friends and relatives abandoning them, even believing that Derrick was bewitched or Edith was cursed for giving birth to Derrick, they persisted.  In 2004 an NGO organization, Spring of Hope, started in Edith’s community to work with disabled children. Recognizing Edith’s love and gift for caring for disabled children, Spring of Hope asked her to work for them. 

Edith began visiting parents of children with disabilities in the community, providing support, encouragement, education, and training on how to do exercises. What Edith found on her visits was eye-opening. Many children had been abandoned or left with elderly grandmothers who were ill-equipped to care for them. Some were neglected, starving, and had visible physical ailments. 

After witnessing this, Edith kept thinking about the children, praying to God, and caring for other children besides Derrick. Yet she recognized how difficult this undertaking would be and felt it might be insurmountable. While praying about the situation in 2006, Edith had an accident. She suffered a spinal cord and pelvic fracture and was told she couldn't walk again. Although she refused to believe it, Edith took this as a sign she was being disobedient to God and didn't answer His call. With a new understanding of what it felt like to be disabled herself, Edith started praying again. She asked God to heal her so she could care for disabled children.

At this time, Edith shared her story with a friend in New Zealand, and in 2007 her friend came to visit with her family. Edith brought the group to see the children, and they were very touched. They contributed money to rent the house and for initial supplies, including mattresses, bed sheets, and other essentials. With their support, Home of Hope was officially born on July 2007. The house started with six children, including Edith’s son Derrick. 

You can learn more about Edith and Home of Hope Uganda at their website:

https://www.homeofhopeuganda.org/about-us/