01.ABOUT US
My name is Abdurazaaque Ssentongo, and my story is one of pain, resilience, and hope. I grew up in the rural villages of Eastern Uganda, where life was often a struggle. From a young age, I learned that survival meant fighting for every opportunity, every small chance at a better future.
When I was just 10 years old, my world came crashing down. I lost my father, the pillar of our family. He was the protector, the provider, and the guide in my life. His death left a void that could never be filled. Suddenly, my mother, a strong yet vulnerable woman, was left to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. It was then that I truly understood what it meant to be a mother, and what it meant to be vulnerable.
My mother was my hero. She had no choice but to stand strong, to fight for me, and to provide for us with the limited resources we had. Despite the loss, she worked tirelessly to ensure I had food to eat, a roof over my head, and an education. But there were days when we would go without food, days when the only thing she could offer was her unwavering love and strength.
Life in the village was not easy for us. My mother had to endure many hardships. She walked miles to fetch water, worked on the farms under the scorching sun, and did whatever it took to keep us going. But even with her immense strength, there were moments when she would break down. I saw the toll that poverty, loneliness, and uncertainty took on her. Yet, she never gave up, and she never showed weakness in front of me.
As I grew older, I realized that many children and mothers in Uganda were living similar lives—struggling with poverty, facing violence, battling neglect, and fighting for survival. I knew that I had to do something to make a difference, not only for my mother but for every mother and child like us. I wanted to give them the chance for a better life, just like my mother had done for me, despite all the odds stacked against us.
That’s when the idea for Mothers at Risk and Vulnerable Children Foundation was born. I understood, more than anyone, how vital it is for a mother to have support. They are the foundation of families, of communities, yet they often face the most tremendous struggles. I wanted to create a foundation that would help vulnerable mothers and children in every corner of Uganda, ensuring they received the care, support, and opportunities they deserved.
Through this foundation, I aim to provide mothers with the resources to care for their children, protect them from harm, and provide them with the tools to break free from the cycle of poverty. I want to give vulnerable children the chance to go to school, to dream big, and to have a future filled with hope, not despair. I want to be the support system that my mother never had, to be the strength that they can rely on when the world feels heavy and overwhelming.
My mother taught me the true meaning of love and sacrifice. She showed me the power of resilience, and how, even in the darkest moments, there is always hope. It is that hope that drives me every day, pushing me to continue the work that I do. Through the Mothers at Risk and Vulnerable Children Foundation Uganda, I want to honor my mother’s strength, her sacrifices, and her unwavering love, by ensuring that no mother and child in Uganda has to face the same struggles alone.
This journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth every step. The challenges I faced as a child, the pain of losing my father, and the struggles I witnessed my mother endure, have shaped who I am today. And now, through this foundation, I am able to serve others in the same way my mother served me—with love, determination, and a heart full of hope.
In 2023, I had the privilege of visiting Uganda, a place that left an indelible mark on my heart. As I journeyed through the beautiful landscapes, the vibrant culture, and the heartwarming spirit of its people, one particular encounter stayed with me long after I returned home to Canada. It was an encounter with a man named Abdurazaaque Ssentongo.
Abdurazaaque’s story was one that deeply resonated with me. As he shared his life’s journey, I couldn’t help but see the parallels to my own. His story, though different in context, mirrored some of the challenges I had faced in my life. It was a raw, honest account of overcoming adversity, fueled by love, determination, and an unwavering desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
Abdurazaaque shared with me the story of his childhood in Eastern Uganda. At the age of 10, he tragically lost his father. In an instant, the world he knew was shattered, leaving his mother to raise him alone in the heart of Uganda’s rural villages. His mother, despite the challenges of single motherhood and the hardships of life in a remote village, was his greatest source of strength. She worked tirelessly, often sacrificing her own well-being to ensure that he had food, shelter, and the opportunity for an education.
What struck me the most was the raw emotion in Abdurazaaque’s voice as he spoke about his mother. I could hear the deep gratitude and respect he had for her, and how her sacrifices shaped the man he had become. It was clear that the struggles they endured together were the foundation upon which his dreams and aspirations were built.
But it wasn’t just about him. Abdurazaaque’s heart broke as he spoke about the many other mothers in Uganda who faced the same struggles, often without the support they so desperately needed. His story wasn’t just a tale of personal loss and triumph; it was a story that reflected the suffering of countless other families in Uganda.
He told me about his dream of starting the Mothers at Risk and Vulnerable Children Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting the mothers and children in Uganda who are facing unimaginable challenges. The idea was simple, yet profound: to provide a lifeline for mothers at risk, to offer them the resources, education, and community support they need to protect their children and give them a better chance at life.
As Abdurazaaque spoke, I saw a clear vision of what he hoped to accomplish: a future where no mother in Uganda had to face the burden of raising her child alone, where vulnerable children were given the chance to thrive, to go to school, to dream. His passion for the cause was evident in every word, and I could see how deeply personal this mission was for him. It wasn’t just a dream—it was a calling.
What truly moved me was how his story resonated with my own journey. I, too, had faced my own share of challenges, struggles that had shaped my own passion for helping others. Abdurazaaque’s story reminded me of the power of resilience, of how even in the most difficult circumstances, there is always a spark of hope that can lead to change.
His story inspired me, not just as a fellow human being, but as someone who had seen the hardships mothers and children face around the world. I knew in my heart that his work was something worth supporting, that his foundation could bring about real, transformative change.
As I left Uganda and returned to my life in Canada, Abdurazaaque’s story stayed with me. I realized that while our backgrounds were different, our passion for helping others was the same. I was moved by his determination to make a difference, and I knew that I had to help in any way I could.
Today, as I share Abdurazaaque’s story, I am reminded of the incredible strength of the human spirit. His journey, the love and sacrifice of his mother, and the birth of the Mothers at Risk and Vulnerable Children Foundation have inspired me to continue my own work in serving those in need. Through this shared story of hope, resilience, and compassion, I am more determined than ever to support Abdurazaaque and his mission to create a better future for the mothers and children of Uganda.
Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can build a future where no mother has to face the struggles of raising a child alone, where every child has the opportunity to grow, to learn, and to dream.
Why You shoud partner with Us?
Key statistics highlight the challenges faced by vulnerable mothers and children:
Poverty and Economic Vulnerability
Global Poverty: Approximately 9.2% of the global population lives in extreme poverty, with women and children disproportionately affected (World Bank).
Economic Disempowerment of Women: Around 2.7 billion women (over 35% of the global population) are legally restricted from having the same job opportunities as men (UN Women).
Global Poverty:
Economic Disempowerment of Women:
2. Child Malnutrition and Health Risks
Child Malnutrition: 45% of child deaths worldwide are linked to malnutrition (UNICEF).
Maternal Mortality: Approximately 810 women die daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, with the majority occurring in low-resource settings (WHO).
Lack of Skilled Birth Attendants: Nearly 60% of women in sub-Saharan Africa give birth without skilled birth attendants, increasing risks of maternal and newborn complications (WHO).
3. Access to Education and Employment
Barriers to Education: In low-income households, girls are often unable to attend school due to financial constraints, perpetuating cycles of poverty (OECD).
Limited Employment for Mothers: In conflict-affected and economically unstable regions, a significant percentage of mothers (exact figure not specified) rely on informal work, which is poorly paid and lacks social protections.
Child Malnutrition:
Lack of Skilled Birth Attendants:
Poverty and Economic Vulnerability
Completed Projects
4. Gender-Based Violence and Vulnerability
Violence Against Women: 1 in 3 women (approximately 33%) globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime (WHO).
Domestic Violence in Uganda: 56% of women aged 15-49 in Uganda report experiencing physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner (UN Women, 2019).
5. Child Protection and Abuse
Child Abuse and Neglect: 1 in 5 children (approximately 20%) globally experience physical or emotional abuse (UNICEF).
Orphaned and Vulnerable Children: Over 140 million children worldwide are orphans, many of whom are at risk of exploitation, trafficking, and abuse.
6. Mental Health Challenges
Postpartum Depression: Up to 20% of mothers in low- and middle-income countries experience postpartum depression, affecting their ability to care for their children (WHO).
Trauma in Children: 1 in 4 children (approximately 25%) exposed to violence in the home suffer long-term emotional and psychological trauma (UNICEF).
Violence Against Women
Domestic Violence in Uganda:
Child Abuse and Neglect:
Orphaned and Vulnerable Children:
Postpartum Depression:
Trauma in Children
7. Lack of Social Support
Social Isolation: 1 in 4 women (approximately 25%) globally lack social support during and after pregnancy, contributing to poor maternal and child health outcomes (UNICEF).
Social Isolation:
The foundation is led by a dedicated team of professionals:
Abdurazaaque Ssentongo
(Community service and administration)
Kateu Y Namoni
Healthcare services
Mugide Sumaya
Finance, Educationist, and community service
Khristine Insley
(Healthcare services and community services)
04.Who We Worked with
05.What People Say
A mother in rural Uganda who overcame poverty through the foundation’s programs.
The foundation provides skills training, financial literacy, and small loans to help mothers start businesses.
Empowering mothers leads to stronger families, better education for children, and breaking the cycle of poverty.
Story of Kemi:
client
A struggling family in Uganda who transformed their lives through the foundation’s programs.
The foundation focuses on strengthening families by providing education, healthcare, and income-generating opportunities.
Strong families lead to stronger communities, where people support each other and work together for a better future.
- Story of Amina and Mzee:
client
The foundation’s programs focus on:
- Healthcare Access Programs: Maternal healthcare, prenatal care, and reducing maternal mortality.
2. Education for Vulnerable Children: Scholarships, school supplies, and safe learning environments.
3. Economic Empowerment for Mothers: Skills training and income-generating opportunities.
Story of Kemi:
client
4. Community Support Services: Parenting workshops, mental health support, and family counseling.