Mission Makers
Birmingham nonprofit Sozo Children hosted volunteer doctors and nurses from Children’s of Alabama and UAB St. Vincents East. The group traveled to Sozo Village in Uganda to provide consulting, treatment, urgently needed medications and preventive care at no cost. An estimated 1700 people were helped during the two day medical camp.
During the event, individuals consulted with a doctor or nurse, received treatment, heard a Gospel message, and were provided with information about other resources. Nearly 100 people gave their lives to Christ during the event. Many children and parents who came had been dependent on USAID-funded clinics and hospitals. Since those funds were frozen, many centers drastically reduced services or closed altogether. One child, Keira, who has suffered with HIV since birth, lost her resource for regular medical treatment when USAID to Uganda ended. At the September medical camp, she received life-saving medication while Sozo Children continues to seek a long-term solution for her
Children’s of Alabama nurses Kate Montjoy and Andrien Mercado both traveled to Uganda to be a part of Sozo’s annual medical camp. Montjoy shares, “I think that it’s really obvious to see God’s love here just through everything that we’re doing, but especially through the Sozo kids [local children] that come and help volunteer here. They have really put into action everything. So, as I was teaching them, it’s really encouraging to see that what we’re pouring into them is being spread out to the community.” Mercado adds, “What made me want to come serve at the Sozo medical camp is honestly, the Lord has burdened me for the sick, and this opportunity presented itself and the pieces just fell into place. It is such an honor to feel that burden with the Lord… We’re very blessed with a lot of knowledge in America. And so being able to bring and help equip everybody here as well is something I wanted to do.”
Suzanne Owens, founder and CEO of Sozo Children said, “The cost for our annual medical camp, and the year-round care we provide costs approximately $100,000 each year. Every penny comes from donors in the United States who understand the need for medical care for children and adults in Uganda.” Sozo Children also provides year-round shelter, food, education, medical and other services to an average of 135 children annually. “We serve God by serving others, equipping children mentally, physically and spiritually to become strong leaders for Christ,” Owens said. To learn more about Sozo Children, visit www.sozochildren.org. †
