Our Story Begins
“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” — Psalm 82:4
We interviewed Peter (Mukisa Grace Peter) and Denis (Denis Churchill Okumu), co-founders of Rescue The Poor Uganda NGO, along with the RTP board members Sarah, Andrew, and Gloria, to learn how the ministry began.
“The vision for this ministry was born out of gratitude and a deep sense of calling. Many of us once walked the very same difficult paths as the children we now serve — growing up vulnerable, lacking life’s basic needs, yet blessed to be reached by caring ministries that planted seeds of hope in our hearts.” Peter recalls.
Denis explains, “In 2012, after returning to the communities where our own stories began, we saw a painful reflection of our past: children trapped in absolute poverty, denied education, and left with no clear future. Their eyes told the stories we once lived — of hunger, uncertainty, and silent prayers for help.”
Peter continues, “With nothing more than a few scholastic materials and a message of hope, we began reaching out — not as an organization at first, but as people who knew the pain of being forgotten. Slowly, what began as a small act of love grew into a mission. We registered the ministry, standing firmly on the truth of Psalms 82:4: ‘Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.’”
Denis adding, “In a nation where justice is scarce and poverty steals childhoods, we could not stay silent. We chose to act — to be the hands and feet of Christ, bringing hope where there is despair, and light where darkness has lingered too long.”
Our Purpose and Promise
Rescue The Poor Uganda’s mission is to proclaim and practise the goodness and kindness the Lord requires, rescuing the weak and the needy. Their vision is a thriving, Christ-centred generation of children and youth equipped to transform their communities. Over time, their approach has expanded to include psychosocial support, skills training, and community engagement — adapting to the evolving needs of the children and families they serve.
The Challenges They Face Together
They serve where needs are most acute, confronting barriers that keep children from safety, health, and education:
- Lack of access to quality education for orphans and vulnerable children, trapping families in poverty.
- Psychosocial trauma from abandonment, abuse, neglect, or the loss of parents.
- Poverty and food insecurity in child-headed households.
- Limited spiritual mentorship and emotional guidance for children and caregivers.
- Few vocational skills and livelihood opportunities for older youth and guardians.
- Exposure to child labour and exploitation instead of school attendance.
- Risk of early marriage and teenage pregnancy for girls.
- Inadequate healthcare leading to preventable illness and malnutrition.
- Impact of HIV/AIDS on family stability and caregiving.
- Unsafe living conditions — poor housing, lack of clean water, and inadequate sanitation.
- Stigma and exclusion of children with disabilities.
- Community crises such as displacement, domestic violence, and family breakdown.
The Lives They Touch
Their work mainly helps orphaned and vulnerable children, while also supporting the guardians and caregivers who look after them. They identify those in greatest need by going to schools, visiting communities, listening to referrals from local leaders, and working alongside schools, churches, and other organisations.
The Everyday Work of Rescue The Poor
Week by week, their work blends practical help, discipleship, and encouragement to build hope and resilience:
- School visits to check progress, encourage students, and ensure fees are covered so they can attend a Christian school with both quality education and biblical teaching.
- One-to-one and group counselling that brings healing and purpose.
- Home visits to vulnerable households with food and follow-up support.
- Bible study and spiritual mentorship for children and caregivers.
- Vocational training — from poultry to arts and crafts — for self-reliance.
- Birthday celebrations to affirm each child’s worth.
- Partnerships and community missions with like-minded ministries.
God’s Faithfulness in Every Trial
One of the greatest challenges they face is inconsistent funding, which directly affects their ability to meet urgent needs such as school fees, daily nutrition, and medical emergencies for the children in their care.
Sarah shares, “Beyond our own struggles as a ministry, the children we serve in Uganda face deep and painful realities every day — walking long distances barefoot to school, going to bed hungry, living in unsafe homes, suffering from preventable diseases, and carrying the emotional wounds of abandonment, abuse, and loss. Many are forced to grow up too soon, caring for younger siblings while still children themselves.”
Andrew affirms, “Yet in all this, God has been our constant help. He has carried us through the darkest moments — bringing unexpected donors at the right time, connecting us with new partners who share our vision, and moving local volunteers to step in when resources were scarce. Time and again, His provision has reminded us that He sees every child and hears every cry for help.”
Gloria says, “Our donors’ generosity is part of that miracle. Every gift from our donors becomes God’s hand extended — turning hopelessness into hope, hunger into nourishment, and despair into a future filled with promise.”
Our Children’s Village Vision
They are trusting God for a Children’s Village — a safe, Christ-centred home with family-style houses, a school, church, medical centre, playgrounds, missionary housing, and farmland for sustainability. Land acquisition is a long-prayed-for step as they invite partners to help move Peter's vision forward.
At the Heart of Rescue The Poor
At its core, Rescue The Poor Uganda is deeply Christ-centred, shaped by a desire to reflect God’s love to the most vulnerable. Many of the children they serve face the harsh realities of poverty, loss, and hopelessness before they have even had the chance to dream.
They hold to the conviction that every child is a precious creation of God — worthy of dignity, care, and a future filled with hope. For this reason, their work goes beyond providing temporary aid. They walk alongside each child through pain, healing, and growth, offering both practical support and the message of the Gospel.
They exist because every child matters — to God, and to them — and because they believe transformation is possible when love is lived out faithfully each day.
