Biographies

Isaac is a lively 16-year-old South Sudanese refugee in Uganda, hiding daily struggles with hunger behind his joyful demeanour.

Orphaned and cared for by his aunt, Isaac resides in the Kiryandongo settlement, where the absence of parents makes survival challenging for many.

Thanks to the support of Feed The Hungry, Isaac receives a daily nutritionally reinforced lunch at school, vital for his health, education, and energy.

Beyond school, he assists his uncle, preparing for planting season. With aspirations to honour his late mother by becoming a doctor.

Rodina, a 13-year-old refugee from Sudan, once lived a stable life in Saudi Arabia before conflict forced her family to flee to Uganda.

Life in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement was a stark contrast, with her parents now farming instead of working as doctors.

At school, hunger affected her concentration until support from Feed The Hungry provided a daily nutritious meal. This reliable lunch improved Rodina’s focus, supporting her dream to follow her parents’ medical path.

Grateful for the support, she enjoys sharing happy moments with friends at school. “We thank you for bringing food – and may God bless you!” she says.

Maias is a 12-year-old refugee in Uganda, who dreams of becoming a dentist in Canada while coping with harsh realities of her current life.

Forced to flee Sudan, her family now resides near a bar in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement. Her mother, a former engineer now battling health issues, inspires Maias.

Hunger and crowded schooling pose challenges, yet Feed The Hungry’s meals fuel her education and ambitions. Despite her circumstances, Maias remains hopeful, believing in a better future and inspired by memories of her past life.

Joy Patience, a 12-year-old refugee in Uganda, bears the scars of South Sudan’s civil war—separated from her parents, suffering from chronic illness, and living in uncertain conditions. Despite these hardships, her most urgent daily struggle is hunger. Your compassionate support through Feed The Hungry means children like Joy Patience receive nutritious meals at school.

These meals restore her health, fuel her learning, and allow her to dream again. With the care you provide, Joy Patience can attend class, play, and hope for a future as an accountant—helping her family and others. She shares deep gratitude for your generosity, asking God to bless you for making a life-changing difference for children in need.

Andrew, a 15-year-old refugee in Uganda, endured unimaginable hardships as a result of the war in South Sudan.

Orphaned and enslaved at a tender age, he survived the nightmare of losing his sister as they attempted to escape.

Alone, he faced the challenge of supporting himself. He found solace in education — and the promise of a nourishing school meal.

Through Feed The Hungry’s feeding program Andrew receives the nutrition they need to learn and thrive. With a full stomach and shoes he worked hard for, Andrew dreams of becoming a scientist to help those in need.

Jagel, a 14-year-old refugee in Uganda, longs for school days, where friendships and meals provided by Feed The Hungry make life bearable.

After fleeing war-torn South Sudan, he lives with neighbours, struggling with food and tuition fees.

School offers him solace, friendship, and sustenance. Although his dreams remain undefined, Jagel is committed to education and helping others.

He cherishes the school meals that allow him to learn and connect with friends, believing it’s a crucial step towards creating a brighter future despite harsh conditions.

Christine, head teacher at Ematong Primary School in Kiryandongo refugee settlement, Uganda, faces numerous challenges as she teaches children primarily from South Sudan.

Despite hurdles like cultural differences and chronic hunger, Christine is dedicated to education. Feed The Hungry’s meal program provides essential nutrition, enabling students to focus and learn.

With limited resources, Christine and her team manage to support 1,100 students, earning district awards for their achievements. She expresses deep gratitude for the unwavering support from Feed The Hungry and its supporters, who are vital to overcoming daily challenges.

As a Feed The Hungry donor, Jodie experienced first-hand the daily hunger faced by children in Uganda’s refugee settlements. Her journey opened her eyes to their deep need — and the incredible impact your generosity can have.

Tragically, both Angok’s parents were killed in the war.

He and his siblings escaped to Uganda. Without a parent to provide, he says he relies on God to meet his every need.

His faith sustains his spirit – and the meal at school keeps his body and mind healthy.

“If there’s food here at school, at least, then… that is good for a school child!”

After losing her friend in the South Sudan war, Priscilla says she’s glad to put the trauma of the past behind her… and look forward with hope.

With a hot, nutritious meal each day at school, she can concentrate in class. Her health is better and her education has improved.

But she says there are more children than meals – so more help is urgently needed.

Maria fled the war in South Sudan. In Uganda she has an opportunity for an education.

“When I eat, I’ll be okay. I will be telling answers to the teacher because I’m very strong now,” she says.

Her classmates want to become teachers, pilots, nurses or military officers. Maria aims to become a doctor.

She is eagerly soaking up her lessons, and the greatest is that her life matters.

James was orphaned when his father was shot in front of him during the South Sudan conflict.

He escaped, alone and traumatised, to Uganda where he was reunited with his auntie, who raised him.

He says food from Feed The Hungry helped him stay in school when he felt like giving up. He wants to become a businessman so he can provide for his auntie.

Alonyo was orphaned by the fighting in South Sudan.

“I came alone like this… All of my family are dead,” she says.

She had to work to pay her own school fees and buy a uniform.

With a regular meal, she can study, heal, dream and plan for a new future.

“I have to come to school. I eat food. I’m okay… I want to become a pilot, to fly to Australia.”

Rebecca survived a deadly vehicle accident on the road out of war-ravaged South Sudan.

Now safe in Uganda, she finds joy in the company of friends at school – and no longer has to worry about where her next meal will come from, thanks to friends like you.

“It is very nice to eat… You feel good. You can be revising and reading; you feel like doing something. You can even go and play!”

“If there is no food, we feel hunger,” says 17-year-old Machar. “We can’t listen to our teacher.”

He pauses – then smiles. “If food is there, we can feel good!”

Thanks to friends like you, he receives a hot daily lunch at school to help him learn.

“I want to complete my studies so that I can go back to South Sudan, to my mother, and do something to help her.”

John’s father was killed and he was separated from his mother in the fighting.

Now, he’s studying hard – thanks to the support of friends like you – as he aims to become a doctor.

“I would like to get some job so that I can manage my life and my family. I study so that I can achieve something in my life,” he says.

Massimo Odou loves going to school.

“When I’m here to learn, I feel like I’ll become someone in future to help other people.”

Despite hardship, he’s keeping his spirits high… and encourages you to do the same.

“To the people that support Feed The Hungry, I give you thanks… May you keep your spirit high that God may bless you daily in your life! Thank you so much.”

“My dream is to become a doctor, to help some other people’s future,” says 16-year-old Arok.

Her mother works hard to provide for Arok and her brothers but struggles to meet their needs.

When hungry, Arok says it’s difficult to concentrate in class.

“If there’s no food at lunch time, you’ll not even understand what the teacher’s teaching because you just feel like sleeping. You feel hunger, you feel a lot of pain.”