Solomon Mwesige

Summary

As Feed The Hungry’s National Director in Uganda, Pastor Solomon is relentless inspeaking up for the poor and the vulnerable in refugee settlements.

He finds hope and encouragement in the impact that your support makes in the lives of vulnerable children.

“Uganda gives them space to live, but the rest – food, medication, education… this is where we need your help.

“You’re giving them an opportunity… I believe that the future of Africa is bright because of what we’re doing together among these children!”

Hear from Pastor Solomon

“The challenge we have here is more refugees coming into this settlement. I’ve been informed that, uh, they’re expecting 30, 000 more to be coming in on top of the many thousands that are here.”

~ Ps Solomon

Solomon’s story

Pastor Solomon says the reality of suffering on the ground in Kiryandongo would break your heart…

But the hope that you’re helping to bring will lift your soul.

Raised in a relatively comfortable home, Pastor Solomon says the plight of thousands of refugees opened his eyes to just how fragile life can be.

“I come from a family that is privileged. My father was a wealthy guy, a prominent farmer. I did not really know much about suffering… And then you come here [to the refugee settlement] and see hopelessness.

“Nobody looks at the sky – they’re hungry, they’re confused, they’re challenged.”

For years, he’s been speaking up for the poor and the vulnerable in Ugandan refugee settlements like Kiryandongo.

It’s become his life’s purpose to raise awareness of the situation and to meet the need as best he can as Feed The Hungry’s National Director in Uganda.

“When I come here, I see how life can be cruel and how it can be unfair… But I feel fulfilment when I come here. I see purpose. Because humanity is about sharing. I get challenged – but I also get energised to do more!”

So many have fled the violence in South Sudan and crossed the border into Uganda – the majority are women and children – and more arrive every month.

“The challenge we have here is more refugees coming into this settlement… on top of the many thousands that are here,” says Pastor Solomon.

“War is still going on. Insecurity is still going on. So these people cannot go back home… and they have to be fed.”

In the face of such need, your generous support through Feed The Hungry can help bring hope to thousands of hungry children.

This Take Away Hunger Day, your gift of just $6 will feed a hungry child at school for an entire month! A hot, nutritious meal at school not only helps them grow and develop – it helps them stay focused in class to improve their education.

Your generosity shows them the love of God in action as they’re reminded that they are valued and loved. Much more than a meal, you’re giving them a future!

For Pastor Solomon, the passion of Australians to support these vulnerable children through Take Away Hunger Day is a great encouragement.

“We have to keep them alive,” he says, with great passion. “Uganda gives them space to live, but the rest – food, medication, education… this is where we need your help. To make sure that these people are fed until peace returns to their homes.

“Everybody has potential, but these children lack opportunity. You’re giving them an opportunity, helping them get food… so they’re able to go and get an education, add value, change the mindset.

“I believe that the future of Africa is bright because of what we are doing together among these children!”

Ps Solomon – interviewed by Eric Skattebo

Pastor Solomon Mwesige is the Country Director of Feed The Hungry in East Africa. What’s ironic is that even though he has now dedicated his life to feeding the hungry, he was raised in a privileged, wealthy family and wasn’t even aware of the plight of the poor when he was growing up. Today, we’ll hear his story as he shares the events that have shaped his life and how the Lord led him to help many people in need in his home country of Uganda.