Stephen Jota Children’s Centre

In the late 1990s, as Stephen Jota was pondering the plight of the children living in the slums of his homeland, Kampala, Uganda, he heard these words from the Lord, “If we don’t show them love, they will never know in the whole world that there is anything called love.” His response to the Lord was to launch the Stephen Jota Children’s Centre which has four components.

 At the heart of Stephen Jota's ministry is the school, which currently has over 500 students. Students range in age from kindergarten age through teenagers. The school operates on the UK academic system which does not promote based on age but competence. Hence, a small child and teen can be in the same room if their academic performance is the same. Stephen started the school just over 10 years ago in this building.

 Approximately 8 years ago, while on a trip to the UK, a group of businessmen met Stephen and caught his vision for helping the children of Uganda. They formed Nsumbi Trust, which operates as a fundraising arm for the ministry. In the past 6 years an enormous amount of progress has been made.

 Three large classroom building were constructed; an office / kitchen / cafeteria building was constructed; The grounds were secured via a protective wall (very common in Uganda), and a staff was secured. Collectively, hundreds of thousands of dollars has gone into facility development. Additionally, Nsumbi Trust initiated a child-sponsorship program. 100% of all donations to the trust go towards helping the children as all of the staff is comprised of volunteers and even the printing services are donated. In addition to the school, the second main component to the ministry addressing housing needs.

 Since the beginning, there was a need for housing for the children since most children come from the slums and are orphaned (frequently due to AIDS) or just abandoned by their parents. Two years ago, 5 acres of land was purchased near the hostel.

 There were two strategic purposes for the land.

• First, buildings, which are called hostels, are currently being constructed to house the children. The first building is nearing completion with another building planned when funds are available. Each building will house 200 students along with matron staff and shower and restroom facilities.
• Additionally, the land was purchased because of an active freshwater spring. Fresh water is frequently the number 1 health concern in 3rd world countries and Uganda is no different. Without clean drinking water, dehydration and disease frequently run rampant even causing death among the most vulnerable. The Lord brought a civil engineer from Texas to partner with Stephen. After nearly two years of planning and work, a water distribution system composed of cisterns, pumps, holding tanks and multiple dispensers was designed and implemented for the ENTIRE VILLAGE, bringing fresh water to literally thousands who live nearby.

 While the Nsumbi Trust only provides financial support to the school and hostel, a third and very important component to the ministry of Stephen Jota is the alliance of churches he leads. Stephen personally pastors a church just next to the hostel called “Hour of Power.” Additionally, he has mentored and released into ministry about 11 gentlemen who serve as pastors for church plants in southern Uganda.

 Fourth and last, but certainly not least, after the children complete their primary, senior, and secondary education, support is desperately needed to insure the completion of an individual's education process at the university level. Unfortunately, the education process of many diligent students stall at this level because they are unsuccessful earning support to provide for their university schooling which costs approximately $1,000 US dollars annually.

 If you are interested about how you might support the work of Stephen Jota’s Children’s Centre, please drop us a note at ugandachildren@clcherrin.com for your free informational packet.