My name is Damali Manyindo. I am the director of Sonrise Baby Home in Jinja, Uganda. I felt called to care for orphans since the time I was growing up in a children’s home myself. After my mother passed away from HIV/AIDS when I was eight years old, and my uncle passed away in that same year, my siblings and I went to live in a children’s home called, “Good Shepherd’s Fold” (GSF) in Jinja. My siblings, cousins, and I received the best care possible there and were able to thrive and grow. Since that time, I have also dreamed about providing the kind of love and care that I received in my own life to other needy Ugandan children.

I was very fortunate to have sponsors and receive support during my life at GSF. After leaving “Good Shepherd’s Fold Children’s Home,” I went to University and studied Psychology and Social Science. Throughout college, I also volunteered at “Give International”, which is a missions organization here in Jinja. Upon graduation, I received my dream job to care for orphans through working with an organization called “Samaritan’s Purse”. I specifically worked with the “Orphan Care and Equip Project” here in Uganda.

In March 2009, I made the decision to embark on my next dream: to care for orphans full-time. I prayerfully considered this decision, and felt like this is what God was calling me to do! The Lord led me away from Samaritan’s Purse full-time into one of the most rewarding jobs I could ever imagine. God led me to a home outside of Jinja, Uganda that was right across the Nile River from Jinja and was available for rent. After much prayer, I decided to rent the house and open Sonrise Babies Home there. I began visiting some babies that I had heard needed care and nourishment. I visited villages, pastors, homes, etc. to see their situations. I am clinging to the promise that He will provide. God has provided a home we now own with joining chicken coop and outdoor kitchen. Praise Jesus!

The babies are with us from as young as one day old, up to 3 years. Once the child turns 3, he/she will move to the Sonrise Children’s Home.

Though Sonrise Baby Home has been blessed to own their own house over the past number of years, they are needing to relocate for a few reasons. One is that the town of Jinja is planning a railroad system that as proposed, it will come right through the Baby Home property, but bigger than that, their house is too small. The current house has 5 small bedrooms and it houses 28 babies and about 8 nannies. Damali has built a very positive reputation with outstanding care to orphaned babies and she continually has people bringing babies to her door. Her heart would love to help more babies, but they are desperate for more space to make that happen.

Damali has a vision to purchase property that has a few acres and become more sustainable. They own a few cows for milk (that currently live a few blocks away) and the land would allow them to be on the same property, as well as to raise chickens, goats and pigs. They plan to have their own garden to decrease food costs and offer a better diet. Damali’s vision includes a house with separate units so that all the children are not congested in one home, as well as to have a space for ill children to have more attention and better care. Due to some of the high medical needs some of the babies come with, Sonrise is looking for property closer to the children’s hospital in Jinja.

This project is not a new idea for Sonrise, as their sister homes, The Children’s Home and The Mirembe Girl’s home recently saw their same vision come to reality with both homes moving onto their new new land in 2018! God’s mighty hand has been at work for Sonrise and we are excited to see what He will do for the Baby Home!