Manna Ministries
Each bag weighs approximately 94lbs.
Manna is a feeding/learning ministry. It is a hand-up rather than a hand-out. The concept is amazingly simple and effective. We target 50 families in each of four strategic communities in the slums of Kampala and offer to them the opportunity to receive FREE FOOD for 6 months on one condition: Learn to save money and use the money saved to invest in some sort of business, so that in the six months time there is an honest income coming into the home. During those six months we teach them how to save money, start and run a business. We teach them other things as well, because in those six months we all become like family. As well located near the refugee camps exist undocumented refugees, who arrived in Uganda illegally who are outside the UN Refugee system. We target a group of these as well for the six month program, though their needs are vastly different as you might imagine. The size of the refugee groups will vary, but some groups, like the group we are currently targeting consist of 72 refugees, with all but three under the age of 12. The oldest is 24. In total almost 24,000 lbs. of food is safely delivered each month to hungry people. We estimate this feeds around 1400 children plus another 600 adults monthly.
Our field team, led by Nzasenga Vincent, regularly sees prostitutes, drug dealers, drunks and thieves change their lives because finally an opportunity came their way. As the field team teaches, coaches and counsels, friendships are developed, and because we are committed believers we share a simple message that changed our lives, along with the Bible story of Nicodemus. Often - almost always - at some point in the six month relationship people come to know Jesus. They begin being discipled. Churches and Bible studies are formed. Often they are baptized. The thing is that Jesus changes everything, so not only are lives changed, but entire communities change. It is a different community - a better one - after Manna has come through. This Manna Ministry is the embodiment of Jesus Christ when He said, “I have come so that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.
FAQ about Manna
There are 4 Communities of 50 families each targeted for six months in the slums of Kampala, Uganda.
There is another family grouping of undocumented refugees who’ve fled either the Congo, South Sudan or Rwanda that are also targeted living in or around Arua, Uganda - who try to survive outside the UN refugee system.
Security is kept because our team only selects one family from the program in each of the communities targeted. Each family then selects the next family, and so on until the magic number of 50 is reached.
Food is delivered monthly.
Lessons about saving their food money are given, as well as lessons on beginning a small business by using the money they saved from buying daily food. It is a hand-up and not a hand out.
They are coached throughout the six months, and often on more than just saving and beginning a business.
Relationships are developed and the Gospel is presented.
Around 2400 people per month are affected through Manna - about 1400 children.
Lives are changed.