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Back to Africa
Published September 10, 2009
William Nsubuga took a round about way to becoming director of an orphanage in Lugazi, Uganda.
The native Rwandan spent time in Alabama before realizing his calling was half a world away — just across the border from his native land.
Today, Nsubuga and his wife, Adella, operate Agape Total Child Care Centre. The orphanage serves as home to a total of 32 children. Each child — 13 boys and 19 girls — was left homeless to survive on their own on the streets as best they could because their parents died of the HIV virus that is so widespread in the country.
“When we would go home we would see children on the streets and sympathize with them,” Nsubuga, who owned and operated a construction company in Alexander City, said. “We decided we needed to do something believing, as we do, that maybe a little help will go a long way.”
Those children on the streets were at risk. There’s many more out there today under similar circumstances. Most suffer from malnutrition, others are taken advantage of and some are kidnapped into the sex trade or to be killed and sacrificed in satanic rituals.
Nsubuga came to America in 1995 to attend Servants in Faith and Technology, a non-denominational non-profit Christian training center located in Lineville. It is devoted to “training leaders in practical self-help skills and community development principles to meet basic human needs in Christ’s service.”
He came to the United States. as a SIFAT student under a special protection status VISA because of the ongoing civil war in Rwanda. A British-born Rwandan pastor urged Nsubuga to take part in SIFAT's international mission train- practicum.
For Nsubuga the timing was right.
Although he had grown up in a Christian home Nsubuga had just become committed to live the lifestyle. Before then, as he put it - he "attended church," but that was about it.
"I had seen suffering and fighting long enough," Nsubuga said. "I suddenly realized how the Lord had protected me. I took the opportunity to start new."
And SIFAT offered the chance for something better. In the end it helped lead Nsubuga to give his all to make a difference.
"SIFAT strengthened my faith," Nsubuga said. "The people offered encouragement."
Once Nsubuga completed his stay at SIFAT he went to work building a successful construction business. But each time he returned home to see family and friends his heart ached and "tears" flowed for the impoverished children he saw alone, hungry and scared on the streets.
Because of the stipulations of his VISA, Nsubuga could not return to Rwanda. He had attended school across the border in Uganda and that is where he visited family and friends who can cross the borders between the two countries.
Nsubuga, whose two-year old son, Sean, was born in the United States, is now a permanent resident of the country. He returns to the states every six months to visit and meet VISA requirements.
But in between Nsubuga is doing what God has called him to do. And, as he puts it, "what he loves to do," ministering to the children in his care.
For Nsubuga it's simple. "We offer them a home and skills that they can use to become meaningful citizens of the world."
And then there is love.
It's not just any kind of love the Nsubuga's and four employees at the orphanage demonstrate. The love shown the children is God's love or, as the ministry's name says, "agape" love: divine, unconditional, self-sacrificing and thoughtful love. The mission's motto is simple: "Raising today's orphans to become the responsible citizens of tomorrow."
It’s mission is to provide an environment where children can feel and know the love of Jesus in the absence of natural parents.
"Jesus' love can be a gateway to everything. When you show them love it's easy to witness to them," Nsubuga said. "In the street they don't want to hear about a loving God. But when they're given love they want to follow you to church."
Nsubuga met Scottsboro attorney Gerald Paulk during Thanksgiving week in Nov. 2007. Paulk's son, Nathan, who is campus director at SIFAT, introduced the two families. Today the relationship has grown into true friendship, care and concern for one another. Paulk's wife, Sue, is active in promoting Nsubuga's ministry efforts.
The Nsubuga's came for Thanksgiving turkey and "left with a friend," William said.
And Paulk, the attorney, is not only a Nsubuga cheerleader; he is a supporter of Agape Total Child Care. He's heard the stories, seen the pictures and knows that life is better for each child that passes through the center's doors.
"We don't realize how much something small means to these kids," Paulk said. "God has opened the floodgates in support of this ministry. William said during his Thanksgiving visit that he was certain God was going to use him and Adella to start and grow the ministry. They were, and are, so genuine, so committed. They walked the talk and are more than willing to go and give back to the community."
Paulk and 16 other families, some of modest means, contribute $720 annually to support one child. That amount pays for food, shelter, clothing and tuition to attend school.
At the orphanage the children learn to garden or sew, skills that will serve them as vocations or at home when they are grown and on their own.
“It is really fulfilling to see all the kids come home from school smiling, laughing and calling you Dad,” Nsubuga said. “God has really blessed us over and over.”
And the orphanage upholds the Scripture. As James 1:27 says - “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
With a smile Paulk says support has always come when needed and from unexpected places. He noted that three local Methodist churches, Aspel, Hollis and New Hope, under the leadership of Rev. Donna King helped to make the push to purchase a vehicle for the center. Nsubuga uses it to ferry the kids back and forth to the center's garden some 10 miles away.
The garden has been a blessing. Not only do the children raise much of their own food - corn, cabbage, sweet potatoes, bananas, pineapples and the like - but they sell the abundance at market. Nsubuga proudly says "God provided," and announces with pride that the proceeds from selling the center's bounty paid for four months operating expenses during the last year.
The children also produce art, crafts, jewelry and bracelets. Those items are sold locally and some have been shipped to the Paulk's and were sold at Art Sunday with all proceeds being returned to the center.
"Little by little there has been an expansion of support," Paulk said. "When people hear William's story they want to take part. The ministry has gotten support from Riverside Baptist Church, First Methodist Church and churches in Alexander City and LaGrange, Ga.
In LaGrange just last week, Western Heights Baptist Church raised almost $10,000 to help fund the purchase of new property to replace the center's 90x180 location in a seedy and dangerous location in downtown Lugazi. Another $10,000 is needed to complete the transaction.
The new property the center is attempting to buy is outside of town, nearer the garden and much safer. The buildings there will need renovations as dormitories but there is enough property to build a school and allow others from outside to come in and take part in activities and daily chapel services.
And that means the ministry can expand.
"When the children know there is a loving God that cares and sees it in people they will give their life to Jesus without being preached to," Nsubuga said. "We don't want anybody to endanger these children. We want to relocate and get away to a more secure place."
The new location will provide some acreage for future growth. There's even a place to raise poultry to provide eggs and meat for the residents. To hear Nsubuga tell it - the location is perfect and it's far away from the dangers and bad influences of the city.
Nsubuga's faith is contagious.
"I believe the Lord is going to grow this orphanage to 200 children, that we are going to have our own school and become self-sustaining. It's like an airplane. It can be hard to get airborne, but once you do it's easy to fly."
Paulk compares it to an old fishing adage: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
Nsubuga says SIFAT taught him how to fish.
"The Lord gave us our hands, our heads and our brains," he said. "He expects us to support ourselves. In 10 years I don't want to need any help to operate the center. I believe it will be self-sufficient."
"Two years ago William's idea was hopes and dreams," Paulk said. "He said God will provide. He has. We have no doubt that God put us together."
To learn more about Agape Total Child Care Center or to make a donation visit www.agape4kids.org, email agape4kids(at)gmail.org or call Paulk at 256-574-6060.
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