Thank you for your generous and continued support. Because of your compassion and commitment, we are able to provide food, medicine, housing, safe drinking water, education, and so much more to thousands of desperately poor children and their families across Africa, India, and Pakistan. Your kindness is not just appreciated—it is life-changing. It brings hope where there was once despair and creates opportunities where none existed before.
To all mothers, we wish you a heartfelt Happy Mother’s Day. Today, we celebrate you and thank you for the countless ways you care for your children and families. Mothers are truly heroes—often unsung, yet indispensable. As Rudyard Kipling so beautifully expressed, “God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made Mothers.” This sentiment rings especially true when we reflect on the extraordinary strength, resilience, and love that mothers demonstrate every single day.
In many parts of rural Africa, motherhood is defined not only by love but by sacrifice. When food is scarce, it is the children who eat first, while mothers quietly endure hunger. When medicine is limited, mothers often choose to go without so their children can receive care. These sacrifices are not occasional—they are a daily reality. Mothers consistently put the needs of their families above their own, asking for nothing in return.
It is also important to recognize that the role of “mother” extends far beyond biology. In many communities, grandmothers, aunts, older siblings, and even neighbors step into this role, providing care, stability, and love to vulnerable children. They embody what it truly means to be a mother—selfless, nurturing, and unwavering.
Pastor Dominic Ouma, who oversees the Divine Mercy Orphanage in Jinja, Uganda, recently shared the stories of three remarkable women—three “heroes”—whose lives are powerful examples of a mother’s love in action.
Anyango Florence is a single mother whose compassion knows no bounds. In addition to raising her own children, she has opened her home to 35 homeless children, offering them safety, stability, and a chance at life. With no steady source of income, Anyango works tirelessly each day—cultivating crops in her garden and taking on whatever odd jobs she can find—to provide food and basic necessities. Her efforts have saved lives and given hope to children who once had none. However, the physical and emotional toll has been immense. Today, she faces serious health challenges that require surgery. Despite this, she continues to put her children first, often neglecting her own urgent needs because so many depend on her for survival.
Brenda Lyaka is another inspiring example of resilience and love. Abandoned by her husband while pregnant, Brenda found herself alone and without support. Seeking refuge, she moved into the Divine Mercy Orphanage with her young son, Desmond. There, she not only found a safe place to live but also discovered a renewed sense of purpose. Brenda now serves as a caregiver to all the children in the orphanage.
Though she receives no salary, what she gains is invaluable: peace of mind knowing her son is safe, nourished, and has a bright future ahead. Brenda embraces every child as her own, providing them with the warmth, care, and affection that every child deserves.
Biryeri Alice, a 75-year-old grandmother, represents extraordinary strength in the face of overwhelming adversity. For the past 12 years, she has been the sole caregiver to her two grandchildren, Mukisa (12) and Mariam (16). Her journey has been marked by profound loss and hardship. In 2014, her daughter-in-law suffered a debilitating stroke during pregnancy, leaving her unable to care for her children. In 2021, Biryeri lost her son in a tragic car accident—an event that also left her with broken legs and long-term physical challenges. Most recently, in 2026, her daughter-in-law passed away. Despite these unimaginable hardships, Biryeri continues to care for her grandchildren with unwavering determination.
Though mobility is difficult, her love and sense of responsibility never waver. She understands that she is the only thing standing between her grandchildren and a life of hunger and homelessness.
Through your support, the Divine Mercy Orphanage is able to provide critical assistance to women like Anyango, Brenda, and Biryeri, as well as countless other mothers and children in need. This support includes not only food and shelter, but also access to education, healthcare, and a stable environment where children can grow and thrive.
However, the need remains immense, and resources are limited. Pastor Dominic is deeply grateful for the generosity shown by ICF and its donors, but he continues to emphasize how much more could be done with additional support. Every contribution has the potential to expand these life-saving efforts—reaching more families, providing more meals, delivering more medical care, and creating more opportunities for education and long-term stability.
This Mother’s Day, we invite you to reflect on the incredible impact of a mother’s love—and to stand in solidarity with these extraordinary women. By supporting them, you are not only honoring their sacrifices but also helping to ensure that the children in their care have a chance at a better future.
Regular giving is one of the most powerful ways to make a lasting difference. It allows us to sustain and grow programs like the Divine Mercy Orphanage and to respond consistently to the needs of the communities we serve. We call our recurring donors Hope Ambassadors because they bring hope to those facing the most difficult circumstances—often situations of life and death.
We encourage you to consider becoming a Hope Ambassador. Your ongoing support can provide stability, continuity, and hope to those who need it most. For a limited time, Hope Ambassadors with a recurring donation of $25 or more will receive this limited-edition T-shirt! To learn more about this impactful program, please visit www.icfaid.org or call our office at 920-729-5721.
As you lay your head on your pillow tonight, we hope you take comfort in knowing that your generosity is making a real and tangible difference. Because of you, children who might otherwise go hungry are being fed. Children without shelter have a safe place to sleep. Children without access to education are learning and building a brighter future.
Thank you for being part of this mission. Thank you for standing with these incredible mothers. And thank you for helping us honor the true heroes among us.