Fr. Kizito Kirenga
About the Founder
I was the youngest of 12 childrenl, I was born in 1970. With our mother (RIP) bedridden for over 25 years, it was very difficult for my siblings to get an education. Many did not go beyond elementary school. The little my father (RIP) could earn was used to take care of our Mom. He did his best and I was able to complete elementary school.
I did my first and second grades at an elementary school near our home. When in 1979 the war against Idi Amin broke out, we spent almost three years in the bush running from the battle carnage. We came back when everything, including our little house on the village, had been destroyed by the soldiers. I resumed school in 1982 and in 1986, I graduated from elementary school. My mother's condition was becoming critical then! My father could not afford to take me to high school.
At the age of 17, with financial assistance from my parish priest Fr. Augustine, I joined St. Joseph High School Seminary, Nyenga, in 1987 and graduated in 1993. In 1994, I joined St. Thomas Aquinas National Major Seminary and graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1997. In the same year God blessed me with a scholarship from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to pursue my theological studies at St. John’s Seminary, Camaillo. In 2001, I graduated with M. Div. and M.A. in Moral theology. I was ordained a priest August 11. 2001 for the Archdiocese of Kampala Uganda. I served two years at Christ the King parish as an associate pastor and as a Youth Chaplain and Father In-charge of Catholic Education. From 2003 to 2009 I was a Lecturer at St. Mbaaga's Major Seminary, Ggaba, where I taught Pastoral Theology, Spiritual Theology, Homiletics, Introduction to Philosophy and Ancient Philosophy. Currently I am a National Director of Radio Maria Uganda, The one and only Catholic radio station in the nation.
I did my first and second grades at an elementary school near our home. When in 1979 the war against Idi Amin broke out, we spent almost three years in the bush running from the battle carnage. We came back when everything, including our little house on the village, had been destroyed by the soldiers. I resumed school in 1982 and in 1986, I graduated from elementary school. My mother's condition was becoming critical then! My father could not afford to take me to high school.
At the age of 17, with financial assistance from my parish priest Fr. Augustine, I joined St. Joseph High School Seminary, Nyenga, in 1987 and graduated in 1993. In 1994, I joined St. Thomas Aquinas National Major Seminary and graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1997. In the same year God blessed me with a scholarship from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to pursue my theological studies at St. John’s Seminary, Camaillo. In 2001, I graduated with M. Div. and M.A. in Moral theology. I was ordained a priest August 11. 2001 for the Archdiocese of Kampala Uganda. I served two years at Christ the King parish as an associate pastor and as a Youth Chaplain and Father In-charge of Catholic Education. From 2003 to 2009 I was a Lecturer at St. Mbaaga's Major Seminary, Ggaba, where I taught Pastoral Theology, Spiritual Theology, Homiletics, Introduction to Philosophy and Ancient Philosophy. Currently I am a National Director of Radio Maria Uganda, The one and only Catholic radio station in the nation.
Why get involved?
Why Get Involved?
St. Kizito is one of the 22 Uganda Martyrs, who at around age 13 gave his life for the Christian faith. He is the Patron saint for children in Uganda.
St. Kizito Children’s Foundation Uganda is therefore an initiative intended to reach out in love and compassion to the disadvantaged and vulnerable children, especially those of my home village, Kawango, Nkozi Parish.
Communities throughout the world that live in poverty have many of the same problems: poor educational opportunities, substance abuse, family disputes, single parent homes and unsanitary conditions. The objective of the St. Kizito Children’s Foundation is to address these problems with appropriate resources, programs and education. Already our efforts have produced very positive results in these areas, but much more needs to be done.
By sponsoring a child, St. Kizito Children’s Foundation seeks to uplift conditions of children’s families. Because children are at the heart of every family, with your support, we sensitize all family members to the importance of education. We also emphasize the need for a sanitary environment, however humble it may be, for a healthy living, such as boiling drinking water and, if possible, providing mosquito nets to combat the spread of malaria.
St. Kizito Children’s Foundation Uganda is therefore an initiative intended to reach out in love and compassion to the disadvantaged and vulnerable children, especially those of my home village, Kawango, Nkozi Parish.
Communities throughout the world that live in poverty have many of the same problems: poor educational opportunities, substance abuse, family disputes, single parent homes and unsanitary conditions. The objective of the St. Kizito Children’s Foundation is to address these problems with appropriate resources, programs and education. Already our efforts have produced very positive results in these areas, but much more needs to be done.
By sponsoring a child, St. Kizito Children’s Foundation seeks to uplift conditions of children’s families. Because children are at the heart of every family, with your support, we sensitize all family members to the importance of education. We also emphasize the need for a sanitary environment, however humble it may be, for a healthy living, such as boiling drinking water and, if possible, providing mosquito nets to combat the spread of malaria.
Helping
Helping Families Help Themselves
Misery does not only affect its victims: it also touches the mind and heart of those who are made aware of it. Naturally when you live with somebody who is suffering and unhappy, you cannot celebrate and rejoice. The presence of poverty and its demeaning effect on human dignity is a call to all of us, no matter what our faith may be, to do something. You and I may not be responsible for the suffering and misery of our brothers and sisters around the globe, but the inescapable fact is:
You and I are called to respond.
“I can make a difference, You can make a difference, and together We can make a greater difference”.
You and I are called to respond.
“I can make a difference, You can make a difference, and together We can make a greater difference”.
