Severe international funding cuts have left many children with empty food bowls and an uncertain future in Uganda. Together with MAF, Kids Around the World (KATW) is providing life-saving food – but the ministry grows far beyond that, offering messages of hope and the healing gift of play.
“The children were crying because there was no food to eat,” says 63-year-old Vicky Eimane, a refugee from South Sudan. “Even the portions we used to receive have been totally removed.”
Vicky bears the challenging responsibility of caring for her four grandchildren and her daughter-in-law after her son abandoned the family. Keeping everyone fed has become even more difficult since her arm was amputated as a result of complications from diabetes.
Now, hope is returning. Vicky smiles broadly as she holds the hand of one of her grandchildren. “The food given to us by KATW is helping us a lot,” she says, expressing deep gratitude for the support her family receives.
In the wake of funding cuts, feeding refugee children is now one of the most important ways aid workers can bring help to refugees in Uganda.
MAF flies KATW to the Adjumani airfield, where they distribute food to more than a thousand children at Pagirinya camp. Here, each child who attends their programme receives five food packs. The packs contain rice, lentils, vegetables, and vitamins.
“We distribute balanced food, and that makes all the difference. The children’s health has improved greatly, and we’ve been able to curb malnutrition and disease,” says Richard Charles Sekyeru, KATW team leader in Uganda.
In addition, the organisation installs play areas for the children.
“Play is therapeutic – especially for children with troubled backgrounds. Growing up myself, we were so poor, and I always looked forward to playing. I can identify with these children,” Richard says with a smile.
“When we install play equipment, the joy of seeing a swarm of kids running to use it is priceless.”
KATW partners with local churches to set up the play equipment, and they use this opportunity to share Bible stories with the children.
“This partnership has helped the church to grow. The food distribution and the play equipment greatly encourage the refugee community here,” says Pastor Kato Everest, himself a refugee who leads a church of about 350 people at Pagirinya camp.
Among other organisations, MAF frequently flies KATW to Pagirinya and other refugee settlements in northern Uganda.
Richard is grateful for MAF’s ability to offer affordable and safe transport, which enhances their efficiency:
“MAF has been a blessing, especially in areas where the airfields are close to the places we work. When teams don’t fly in, they waste a lot of time on the road. MAF reduces that time so we can spend more of it doing life-saving work in the communities.”
STORY & PHOTOS / DAMALIE HIRWA
This story was originally published in "Flying for Life - Summer 2026." To view the full magazine, click here.