Living Out a Promise. “I am coming back for you!” “...when I grow up, I will come for all of you, Amen…” were words promised daily by a young, orphaned girl in Uganda.
In 2009, those impassioned, never forgotten, words of Petra Otee Mangesho, became the driving force behind the founding of Petra Kids Ministries, a 501-c (3) organization in the USA. Today, those words continue to work to restore hope and build dreams for over 350 children in Aduku, Uganda.
Many children are forced into day labor to help provide for their families, and those who are fortunate enough to attend class must do so under trees or in poor quality government facilities. In northern Uganda, three out of four children are unable to continue their education beyond elementary school, resulting in a 90% illiteracy rate.
In response to those alarming statistics, Petra Christian School was formed to provide a learning environment grounded on Biblical principles that empower and develop children spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually who are in desperate need of a quality education.
Petra Otee Mangesho had a dream, which was an outgrowth of her experience growing up in Aduku, Uganda. Her experience was that of an orphaned childhood caused by the ravaging effects of war. As a survivor and because of her deep faith in God’s ability to transform suffering into redemption, she found herself in a position to give back on behalf of her gratitude to God. She had a dream that she would return to Uganda after being educated in the United States. She wanted to provide hope to children whose circumstances were similar to her own growing up. She has succeeded with the help of God in fulfilling this calling and continues to lead with courage, conviction, and the love of God. Her dream is now being shared by others such as you who want to make a difference in the life of a child an ocean away.
Petra Kids Ministries (5013c) now partners with Petra Christian School of Aduku, Uganda by working with the Board of Directors of this school. We seek to respond to the needs of the school through the donation of financial support as well as through mission trips to deliver manpower for projects and to establish positive relationships with staff and administration of the school. Our annual fund raiser and through the support of major donors and sponsors, we continue to work toward building the dream. Won’t you join us in this important work. No contribution is too small and every contribution makes a difference in the life of the child
