We are so excited to be starting 2019 off with the addition of a brand new Forward Edge ministry location.
Our newest Child Sponsorship program, Light A Candle, serves 400 children in some of the most difficult areas of Kampala, Uganda. Kampala comprises 3.5 million people within the city limits, including 57 slum areas where the poorest of the poor reside. Of those living within these slums, 50% are children under the age of 15.
Slum life is one of abject poverty, poor sanitation and exposure to high crime. Most families have little to no income and have to try and sell any trash they can find on the street for something to eat. Prostitution and drug use are common and law enforcement is very poor. Most children have only one parent, or none at all, due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic; they are not in school and are left alone a lot which puts them at very high risk of abuse, assault, and sexual exploitation.
Just like most African countries, Uganda has experienced a lot of political instability which has affected its social and economic growth. As a result, the rate of orphaned children and poverty continues to increase annually.
By providing meals, education, and mentoring, we are giving these precious children opportunities that brighten their futures, protect them from disease, crime, drugs, sexual abuse, and help them reach their full, God-given potential.
You can offer these children hope through becoming a child sponsor. Please visit our Uganda Child Sponsorship page to meet our new kids! If you have any questions or would like more information about Uganda or any of our other ministry locations please contact us at children@forwardedge.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
You can also serve these children, their families, and community personally by taking a team of 10 or more on a short-term mission trip to uganda!
In Zaachila, on the outskirts of Oaxaca City, Mexico, live many impoverished families who’ve traveled from distant areas in search of more opportunities and a better life…only to find themselves confronted with the same devastating and debilitating effects of poverty: hunger, joblessness, water-borne illness, lack of education, gang violence, drug
Ymer grew up feeling invisible, his dreams of education dimmed by discrimination and discouragement. But a spark of hope emerged when he joined tutoring classes, where a simple moment of recognition changed everything. With newfound confidence, letters of encouragement, and the support of a sponsor, Ymer discovered his worth and the power of believing in himself.
The past two years have been particularly hard for children in Uganda. Schools remained shut through most of the pandemic. Light a Candle, our program there, worked tirelessly to help these children succeed in their education despite the seemingly impossible situation. Despite school closures, children have remained committed to pursuing
A special message from our Program Directors in Mexico, Victor and Lety Velasco: Hola and Feliz Navidad from Forward Edge and our program down here in Oaxaca, Mexico. We want to tell you a story of the impact you’re making. One of the first families to join our program 10
5 yrs. old
Entered the program: May 2025
Maryann lives with her parents, two siblings, grandmother, aunt, and cousin in a three-room, wood house with a dirt floor. The house has electrical lighting and water is fetched from a well and boiled for drinking. The family has an outdoor kitchen and use firewood for cooking; they have a pit latrine that is in poor condition.
Maryann is the oldest of three siblings. Neither of her parents are employed and struggle to provide for their children. Maryann’s grandmother offered to share her home with them due to their lack of resources.
Plus bonus group fundraising ideas!
