I went to Kampala, Uganda in May 2007 not knowing what I would do or whom I would meet, but I knew I wanted to love the poor. I knew I wanted to learn what it means to follow the teachings of Jesus. After I arrived, I met a widow named Joyce who introduced me to the Dorcas Widows Ministry. I began to create friendships with these ladies and to learn about their challenges. It was out of a deep love and friendship that our partnership began.

I have been supporting Kari and her work with widows and orphans for many years but have always wanted to do more. As she became deeply involved with the Dorcas Widows Ministry in Kampala, Uganda in the summer of 2007 and starting telling me about the stories and the lives of the women, I knew that God was leading us down a path together to join with these women on their journey. It is a blessing and a pleasure to get to know these amazing, faith-filled widows. I have traveled to Uganda twice and am currently planning my 3rd trip for the summer of 2012. I can't wait to go back and visit all the women and kids!

Suzanne works in Kampala as the Widows Support Director for the Dorcas Widows Fund and is on the Leadership Team for the Dorcas Widows Ministry of Uganda. She graduated from Uganda Christian University in Mukono with a degree in Development Studies, a specialty in Non-Government Organization and a masters degree in Counseling Psychology with a speciality in HIV/AIDS counseling and alot of interest in family therapy. She was born and raised in the city of Kampala and loves children and working with young ladies that are disadvantaged. She has 2 sisters and 2 brothers. She has worked with the Dorcas Widows for 5 years visiting, praying, organizing and developing the Dorcas Widows Ministry to improve the widows quality of life. She is also in charge of all the work taking place at the land in Matuga. The widows are an inspiration for her and working with them has taught her that women are the backbone of the nation, they are the pillars yet also the most vulnerable and dispised people in this particular side of the world. Empowering them with all sorts of ideas and knowledge is a pleasure for her to rejoice in. She is hoping that in the near future the Dorcas Widows will be fully equipped and with a new song on their lips. Their testimonies will change because God is doing wonderful things in their lives. Her career objective is to become a distinct figure in the promotion of nationwide development among women.

Annet is from the Alur tribe in the northern part of Uganda. She was born and grew up in Nebbi. She graduated from Makerere University in Kampala with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences. Annet is a single mom with a five year old son, Arua. She worked two years with the Uganda Australia Foundation at Pader district as a Community Development Officer and counselor. Later she was promoted to the post of Administrator of the Mother-Child-Alive project as well as a member of the Management Committee at the Rackoko Health Centre III. Annet has done a fantastic job coordinating the Dorcas Widows Fund School Fees Sponsorship Program. She prepares biographies of the children and their mothers in order to find sponsors, checks on the children on a regular basis, coordinates communication between the children and their sponsors and is part of the Dorcas Widows Leadership Team.

My journey to Africa began about a year and a half ago. It was during that time that the Lord began stirring up my heart for overseas ministry, specifically Africa. I didn't really know all that entailed at the time, but as the desire grew stronger I sensed the Lord leading me to take a "vision trip" to several different organizations in Africa to experience what He was doing and to see where He might want to use me! In relaying this plan to my father, He told me that his good friend back in Minnesota had a daughter named Kari Miller who had an organization called The Dorcas Widows Fund supporting widows in Uganda and he encouraged me to check it out! Uganda was the last stop on my two month vision trip and I absolutely fell in love with the widows and children who were part of this ministry. I felt the Lord say "this is it..your deep joy is here amongst my people." Through a lot of prayer, hard work and the amazing generosity of friends and family I was able to raise support and have come to work as the new Child Services Coordinator for the next two years in Kampala. I am so excited to learn about Uganda and to know, understand and serve the beautiful widows and children of the Dorcas Widows!