My name is Naume Naigaga and I am the founder of the non-profit organisation HOREMI, which cares for children in need in eastern Uganda. Their story and mine are therefore closely linked.
I was born on July 23, 1969, the eldest of my mother’s four children. My father, who had married a second time, died when I was 16, my mother only two years later. Completely orphaned, my siblings and I initially lived with my father’s second wife. However, she abused us so badly that we feared for our lives. Finally, I decided to rent a small room for my siblings and me where we were at least safe. Since my sisters were still in school, I had to interrupt my own education and look for a job to support ourselves. I was already teaching at that time. Later, I went to Kyambogo University to further my education and at the age of 28, I was certified as a primary school teacher.
In 1997, I got married and started a family. My husband and I had four children before he died in 2011. Although I now had to provide for them alone, I adopted three young needy children and soon after adopted two more, including 18-year-old Kenneth Kabweru, who later became my right-hand man at HOREMI.
As more needy and vulnerable children were added, I registered a non-profit organisation for orphans in 2015, then under the acronym HOCI.
How HOREMI came into being
After that, the number of children continued to increase and so did the challenge of feeding them all. However, with the help of social media, we gained attention beyond Uganda, so that somehow — with the support of a growing number of friends from all over the world — we were able to provide for the basic necessities, such as food and schooling.
By 2017, with 22 children already under our care, it was clear that we needed more space and a permanent home. With the support of Christian groups from abroad, we managed to buy a plot of land — the construction of a new, larger shelter could begin. At the beginning of 2019, the first two dormitories for girls and boys were in place. The large house opposite, where the food store and office are now located, was added, as well as a separate kitchen. To be able to provide ourselves with food and earn some extra money, we started to grow maize and vegetables. We also started a poultry farm, which gave us an additional small income.
In 2019, we changed the name of the organisation to “Hope and Rescue Mission International” or HOREMI for short. From small beginnings, with a lot of commitment and the support of friends from abroad, we have managed to become an institution that gives orphans and other needy children hope and the chance of a better future.
Please help now so that HOREMI can ensure the basic care of their protégés. Your donation helps, thank you!
May we inform you about life at HOREMI from time to time? Then please send us a short e‑mail to hello@horemi.org.