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 am currently planning my second trip to Uganda for the summer of 2010 and can't wait to go back and see all the women and kids.

In 2004 my life course altered when my husband and brother in law were killed in a car crash leaving me and my sister widowed with children to raise. Up until that point, I was a business woman spending 20 years in the mortgage business and raising my family. After the tragedy, I knew that God had a different course for my life and I spent a year on staff at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church directing the confirmation program and 300 energetic 7th and 8th graders. It was a tremendous year for me but my family need me at home. I spent the next few years taking care of my boys and searching for something meaningful to fill my life without going back to the demands of a full time job. The opportunity came when I met Kari through a Bible Study meal group at Christ Presbyterian Church and she shared her beautiful widows with our group. God gently moved me towards this mission over the series of months that our group met and in February 2008 when Kari left for Uganda again, I knew that God wanted me to dedicate my time to helping with the Dorcas Widows Fund. This experience has been a complete blessing for me because it has given me the opportunity to meet amazing people and it has helped me focus some of my grief in a positive way that helps others.

Suzanne works in Kampala as the Project 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 Mokono with a degree in Development Studies and a specialty in Non-Government Organization. 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 1 brother. She has worked with the Dorcas Widows for two years visiting, praying, organizing and developing the Dorcas Widows Ministry to improve the widows quality of life. 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 and without them the world would mean nothing. Empowering them with all sorts of ideas and knowledge is a pleasure from 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.

Annet is from the Alur tribe in the northern part of Uganda. She was born and grew up in Pader. She graduated from Makerere University in Kampala with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences. Annet is a single mom with a two year old son. 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.