Meet Home of Hope’s Founder Edith Lukabwe

Who Founded Home of Hope?

Hope of Hope Uganda was founded by Edith Lukabwe in 2007.

Home of Hope’s founder, Edith Lukabwe

What Is Edith’s Story?

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, in time 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, and required frequent hospitalizations for years.

While seeking treatment, exercises, and medications for Derrick, Edith and her husband came to realize 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 having given 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 at caring for the 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 of the children had been abandoned or left with ederly 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 and praying to God, and thought about taking care of other children in addition to 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 fracture and pelvic fracture, and was told she wouldn't be able to 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 6 children, including Edith’s son Derrick. 

Why Did Edith Found Home of Hope? 

Edith founded Home of Hope to provide physical care and compassion for children in Uganda living with multiple disabilities. Many of the children living at Home of Hope were abandoned and neglected, and Home of Hope offered a place for them to go. 

What Is Edith Doing Today?

There are currently over 60 children at Home of Hope today. The organization does community work and helps educate parents of disabled children on how to best care for them. They offer medications, home visits and outreach, and aim to reduce the number of children being abandoned. The organization works to provide the children with basic needs, social protection and inclusion, and improved standards of living. They also continue to raise awareness and encourage love for these children in the community.

How Can I Learn More About Edith? 

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

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

How Can I Support Home of Hope?

Home of Hope is currently accepting donations through their website.

Go to www.homeofhopeministries.org then click on “Donate.”

You may also text “HOHM” to 707070.

Thank you for your support!