History
How it started
Kinderhulp Afrika was founded in 1987 out of compassion and a vision to help orphans in Uganda. The story behind it is remarkable.
Civil war in Uganda
In the 1980s, a terrible civil war raged in Uganda. At that time, Mathijs Piet, founder of Kinderhulp Afrika, received a remarkable phone call from America from a pastor friend. ‘Mathijs, can you provide shelter for 30 orphans in the Netherlands?’ At that moment, the children were travelling around America giving concerts, but they could not return to their country. There was a war going on there! They could not stay in America either, because their visas had expired.
The plight of orphans
Mathijs' heart was touched by the plight of these children. He did everything he could to bring the children to the Netherlands. What happened next was heart-warming. Many families in the Aalsmeer area opened their homes and gave the children shelter. In the months that followed, the children gave concerts in the Netherlands. The children found a warm place in people's hearts. People did not want to leave it at that! There was passion and vision to help the children in a structural way. So, 9 hectares of land were purchased in Namugongo. A building was constructed here with dormitories and a classroom for the 30 orphans. Ultimately, Kinderhulp Afrika was founded to be able to help the children on a permanent basis.
School, clinic and church
Now, decades later, the site is home to a primary school, secondary school, vocational school, church and clinic. The school is attended by over 1,000 children. More than 100 Ugandan employees work here. Dozens of people from the surrounding area visit the clinic every day.
The school has become an important place where disadvantaged children have the opportunity to receive a good education. Hundreds of children have now graduated. They have a diploma, a job, a family, and can support themselves. They had no prospects, but now they have a future.
From Hopeless to Hopeful!
Founder Kinderhulp Afrika
Mathijs Piet shares
"Almost forty years ago, I first heard about the countless orphans in Uganda. War, violence, and disease had wiped out entire families. I went there myself. I heard their stories. I saw the pain in the eyes of children who had lost everythingt; their father, mother, brothers, and sisters. Many ended up with relatives who could barely make ends meet and were treated as a burden or as helpers.
These children touched our hearts deeply. That is why we founded Kinderhulp Afrika: to give them not only food and shelter, but above all, love, safety, and a future.
Over the years, we have had the privilege of guiding hundreds of children toward independent lives. Every visit to Uganda reminds us of the immense value of this work and how urgent it still is.
Today, we have entrusted the daily leadership to our children, yet our involvement continues. This work does not stop. As long as there are children without hope, our mission will continue."
-
1992
-
1998
-
2002
-
Now
