Self Help Archives - Cross International

You Can Change Her Future

July 30, 2025 by Cross International

How one girl’s life in Uganda was transformed through faith, education, and community.

In Kampala, Uganda, a quiet but powerful transformation is taking place. Across the city, more than 2,300 vulnerable girls are discovering their God-given worth through one of Cross International’s locally led initiatives. These young women aren’t just receiving education—they’re gaining life skills, spiritual guidance, and the mentorship they need to believe in a brighter future.

Daisy Namutebi is one of them.

Daisy was born into deep poverty. When her mother could no longer care for her, she was left in the custody of her grandmother—a loving woman who did her best, but struggled to meet even the most basic needs. Daisy walked to school barefoot, with no books, no uniform, and no assurance that tuition would be covered from one term to the next.

Still, she went. She dreamed. She worked hard.

And then, at just 9 years old, Daisy’s life began to change.

She became part of a Christ-centered community served through Cross International. Her school fees were covered. She received food, clothing, and medical care—but beyond the physical needs, she also received something deeper: the steady love of mentors who reminded her that she mattered. That she was created for a purpose. That she was not alone.

“They really took care of me,” Daisy says. “They taught me about Jesus and how God is guiding my life.”

That foundation changed everything.

Daisy went on to excel in school, eventually earning a diploma in Business Administration from Makerere University — one of the most prestigious institutions in all of Africa. Her success was not a given. In many parts of Uganda, young girls are married off early or pulled out of school long before reaching higher education. Poverty limits options. Tradition narrows expectations.

But Daisy’s story took a different path.

Today, she is more than a graduate—she is a mentor, offering guidance and encouragement to younger girls facing the same challenges she once endured. She’s walking beside them, helping them stay in school, grow in faith, and trust in the future God has for them.

Her journey is a reminder that real change doesn’t happen overnight. It begins with a seed—planted through care, nurtured with faith, and sustained by hope. It’s what happens when we come alongside someone not just to help them survive, but to truly thrive.

Daisy’s story is still unfolding. But already, her life is echoing far beyond her own. One girl’s transformation is now becoming a ripple of change—touching homes, classrooms, and entire communities in Uganda.

Sweet Success — From struggle to sustainability

July 16, 2025 by Cross International

One family’s journey in Uganda

In the rural village of Kyakitanga, Uganda, daily life has long been defined by struggle. Families face overwhelming challenges: extreme poverty, chronic malnutrition, and limited access to clean water. But even in the hardest places, transformation is possible—and one family’s story proves it.

Meet Ismael and Kakimwa, a hardworking couple raising seven children on the outskirts of Kyakitanga. For years, they survived by taking on temporary day labor, earning the equivalent of just $1.50 a day. It was never enough. Providing food was a daily concern. Long-term planning felt impossible.

But their future began to shift when a new opportunity took root—one that was practical, sustainable, and full of promise.

Cross International, through its work in central Uganda, introduced Ismael and Kakimwa to beekeeping. More than just a livelihood, it was a pathway toward long-term stability. With the right training and tools, the couple learned how to care for bees, harvest honey, and build a business they could manage right from their land.

On a recent visit, we saw their progress firsthand. Ismael and Kakimwa were carefully constructing new beehives—expanding their colony with hope in their eyes and strategy in their hands. With thoughtful placement of the hives throughout their property, they plan to double or even triple their honey production in the coming season.

In Uganda, beekeeping can yield up to three harvests per year. With healthy hives and proper technique, a single hive can produce roughly 1.5 gallons of honey. If the family harvests 20 gallons and sells each for about $8 at the local market, they could earn $160 per cycle—more than 100 times their previous daily income.

But this story isn’t just about economics. It’s about dignity. About legacy. About watching parents reclaim the ability to provide and plan for their children’s future.

Thanks to faith, perseverance, and a community-based approach to transformation, Ismael and Kakimwa are no longer trapped in survival mode. They’re building something that lasts. And they’re modeling resilience and resourcefulness for the next generation.

Their story reminds us that real change begins when families are given not just help—but opportunity. With the right tools and a little hope, they’re not only restoring what was lost… they’re creating something new.

One family. One harvest at a time. One more step toward lasting transformation.

A Life-Changing After-School Program in Rural Malawi

June 16, 2025 by Cross International

Six days a week, hundreds of children pour into a large fellowship hall in the remote village of Thanganyika in southern Malawi. This hall is so much more than merely a building. It represents hope. It’s a place of refuge, a sacred space. The joyous sound of kids singing and laughing often echoes through the room. Children are taught the Word of God here, and for many, this is where they receive their only substantial meal of the day.

Nine-year-old Tamala and her siblings used to venture to neighbors’ houses in a desperate attempt to obtain food. Despite working hard, Tamala’s single mother struggled immensely to provide. The family also lacked access to clean water, leading to constant sickness from consuming contaminated water. Tamala was heartbroken when she had to be pulled from school because fees were too expensive. She ultimately missed over a year in the classroom. But God had a different plan for her future.

Because of her difficult situation, Tamala was welcomed into the after-school program that’s run in the fellowship hall by Cross International ministry partner Ambuya Development Center. She’s given a nutritious, daily meal and clean water to drink, and her health has vastly improved. As part of the program, Tamala’s educational expenses are paid for, allowing her to resume school! While schoolwork is sometimes challenging because of the lost classroom time, Tamala is steadily progressing and receives extra help with her studies from the center’s staff. She loves to learn and dreams of becoming a teacher when she grows up.

Tamala used to wonder whether God really cared about her, but her faith has grown as she’s experienced tangible expressions of His love through the program in the fellowship hall. She enjoys the regular Bible lessons and fun activities and has made many new friends. Tamala’s favorite Bible story is the account of Esther. She admires Esther’s courage and the way the young queen trusted in God, praying and fasting on behalf of her people.

When ten-year-old Pemphero walked into the fellowship hall for the first time, his attention was immediately drawn to the chairs. They’re not fancy chairs, but Pemphero was not used to having a chair to sit in. He and his siblings live with their single mother in a flimsy, temporary shelter. The fragile structure is all his mother can afford. Like Tamala, Pemphero’s family has very little food and no access to clean water, and he was also out of school before being accepted into the after-school program and having his academic fees covered.

Pemphero was thrilled to return to the classroom! He likes a variety of academic subjects, and though he’s young, he already understands that education is key to eventually being able to start a career through which he can support his family.

Learning scripture has left an impression on Pemphero, who now sees God as his provider. He’s grateful for all of the blessings he’s received. “I did not know that I could be in school…that I would be getting free, good food six days a week…to be using a hall like this one and chairs we do not have at home. All this is a miracle to me. May God be praised.”

The opportunity to go to school and the daily after-school gatherings in the fellowship hall are a lifeline for kids like Tamala and Pemphero. From healthy meals to academic support to Bible lessons and interactions with caring staff members, what’s happening in this space is truly special. When you partner with Cross International, you provide critically needed physical and spiritual nourishment to kids in rural Malawi and beyond in the name of Jesus.

Restoring Hope after Helene

June 9, 2025 by Cross International

More than a half year removed from one of the most destructive storms in United States history, rebuilding efforts are ongoing in devastated communities. Hurricane Helene tore through a wide swath of the Southeast in late September 2024, unleashing powerful winds and relentless downpours that led to unprecedented flooding and landslides. It was the deadliest tropical cyclone to hit the continental U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, with 249 deaths attributed to Helene, and one of the costliest weather disasters on record.

Helene survivors lost homes, businesses, and so much more. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, Cross International stepped in to provide life-restoring essentials like food, clean water, generators, propane and hygiene supplies directly to families in crisis. As the lengthy recovery process continues months later, stories of resilience and hope have emerged amid the loss and rubble.

Among the hardest-hit areas were Appalachian communities of western North Carolina. That’s where 70-year-old Martin resides along with his wife. Their trailer park was shredded by Helene. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, the couple’s trailer was virtually unlivable, but they had nowhere else to go. There was no usable furniture. All Martin and his wife had to sit on were buckets, and they slept on a water-damaged mattress. Even before Helene, the couple had struggled financially. Having suddenly lost nearly all of their possessions in the storm, they wondered how they would get by.

Though emotionally and physically exhausted, and despite the uncertainty around what may lie ahead, Martin and his wife remained strong in their faith in God, trusting that He would provide. Their prayers were answered in a remarkable way. Cross International’s local church partner, Harvest House Boone, learned about the couple’s plight and reached out to offer assistance. A team from the church thoroughly cleaned out the trailer and brought in a new bed and mattress, as well as chairs and a table.

Meanwhile, a brand new trailer was ordered for Martin and his wife, giving them a stable and secure home to replace their old one!

They are “overwhelmed” by the support they’ve received, including emotional and spiritual encouragement from the local community of believers. As Martin puts it, “God has shown us that we are not forgotten, and we are deeply thankful for everyone who has helped us.”

Cross International brought hope and help when it mattered most. Join with us to bring God’s hope to those in need today!

After all the couple has endured, their new home represents an opportunity for a fresh start. “This new bed and trailer are a blessing beyond words. Thank you for bringing hope back into our lives,” says Martin. “It feels like a miracle to have a place to call home again.”

Empowering Women in Rural Uganda: Lydia’s Story

June 2, 2025 by Cross International

As a mother and a grandmother, Lydia is the heart of her household. Over the years, she’s prepared hundreds of meals for her family. And in her home, that’s no small feat. Lydia and her husband Christopher have nine children, some of whom are now adults while the rest are in their teens, and one grandchild. Together the family lives in a small, metal sheet-roofed house in their remote village in southern Uganda.

Lydia cooks for her large family in a tiny space with very basic supplies, and for many years utilized traditional cooking stones that are commonly used by rural Ugandan women. While skilled in this method, Lydia was keenly aware of the hazards of open fire cooking. “The smoke was simply intolerable,” she remembers. “My eyes would burn, and my chest felt heavy. I often worried about the health of my children, who were always around the cooking area.” Lydia and her kids frequently suffered from respiratory infections due to smoke inhalation.

The process was arduous. It took hours each day to collect adequate firewood, leaving minimal time or energy for other activities. The physically-demanding work left Lydia in a constant state of exhaustion, but she pressed on for the sake of her family, trusting God to sustain her. Lydia found comfort in the words of her favorite scripture, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Feeling like she was stuck in an endless cycle, Lydia began attending a series of community meetings organized by Cross International’s local ministry partner, HEED Uganda, which informed residents about various resources and opportunities. Lydia listened intently as meeting leaders discussed the construction of energy-efficient stoves for individual households at extremely low costs. When she realized this was an option for her home, Lydia was elated!

It took just a few hours for Lydia’s new stove to be built. Cooking with the energy-efficient stove produces far less smoke and requires only a fraction of the firewood that was previously needed. Since the switch, Lydia and her family have been healthier from breathing cleaner air. Meanwhile, fewer trips to collect firewood has freed up time for Lydia to spend on other activities. “I now have more time to tend to my garden and grow vegetables for my family. I even have time to make crafts that I sell at the local market in Kafunda.”

From energy-efficient stoves to safe water to agricultural training and much more, Cross International collaborates with local ministries to equip individuals and transform communities. Lydia has experienced the difference firsthand: “Your generosity has brought hope and empowerment into our lives, and I am deeply grateful.”

It’s the selfless giving of people like you that enables Cross International’s work to continue. Partner with us today to bring vital resources and the hope of Christ to the poorest of the poor!

Hope for At-Risk Kids in Ecuador

April 11, 2025 by Cross International

Ecuador is the fourth poorest country in South America. Over 25% of the country’s population lives below the poverty line. Long-standing challenges, such as high rates of child malnutrition, poor healthcare and inadequate education systems need to be addressed to improve the quality of life.

Recently, there was a compounded urgency as Ecuador has found itself in a “state of war” as drug cartels waged a brutal campaign of kidnappings and attacks in response to a government crackdown. Hundreds of soldiers patrolled the capital of Quito – where our educational partners currently serve – and students and their parents were gripped by fear over the surge in violence.

Cross International stood firm by our partners, and thankfully the situation has once again stabilized. But we put contingency plans in place to ensure that the schools we support will continue to be served should the situation once again heat up.

We also realize that life in Ecuador is especially hard for the children, even when the social and political atmosphere is calm. Thousands of boys and girls from the Quito area live in homes plagued by domestic violence, malnutrition and extreme poverty. School-aged children are often sent by their parents to peddle in the streets instead of to school. Those who do attend school are always in danger of dropping out. This creates an oppressive cycle of generational poverty.

The situation is doubly hard for teens and young adults – those who hold down jobs during the day and attend our night classes in an attempt to finish school. They are the prime targets for these drug cartels. In fact, many of these teens and young adults have spent years warding off intense recruitment to turn to a life of crime. Most have been forced to drop out of school to support their families and have spent their childhood missing out on the education that could have provided economic stability. Without an education, these teens have little chance of breaking the bonds of generational poverty.

Cross International’s Solution

In Ecuador, Cross International’s approach to education is unique. In most of the countries we serve, we prioritize our efforts on Christian primary school education, as literacy and primary learning is one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty and improving health, gender equality, peace and stability. But Ecuador is different. It has a long history of subjecting children to child labor. “Shoeshine boys” are a common sight on the city streets. And even though the government in recent years has discouraged the practice, child labor is still deeply ingrained in Ecuadorian culture, which is why we at Cross work feel it is necessary to serve both primary school age children and teenage students as well.

Primary school-age children

For this age group, Cross has local partners that provide nutritious morning snacks and tutoring help in the mornings before these children attend public school in the afternoon. The meals help parents who, amid harsh economic situations, cannot afford to feed their children two or more meals daily. The academic support helps the children stay current with their schoolwork. This assistance benefits those who miss class for work and whose parents lack the education to help them keep up with their studies. Our educational interventions also incorporate Biblical training, academic support, and instruction about preventing sexual abuse and teen pregnancy.

Teenage students

For this age group, Cross provides a night school alternative for teens who must work during the day to support themselves and their families. This schedule allows student-workers to keep their day jobs while pursuing a solid education. In some instances, students are able to recover the time lost when they abandon their studies for work opportunities.

MEET DIEGO & JAQUELINE

Eight-year-old Diego and his younger sister Jaqueline live with their parents in a tiny room in Quito, Ecuador. Although their dad works as a bricklayer whenever he can, the family of four is very poor. Further complicating an already difficult situation, Diego has a strong stutter and struggles to get his words out. A misinformed doctor told Diego’s parents that the stutter resulted from their spoiling their son, so his parents responded with physical abuse.

One day, a neighborhood friend invited Diego and Jaqueline to come with her to an afterschool program called The Moses Project – one of Cross International’s Ecuadorian education partners. It was a turning point for this family. When Diego and Jaqueline first arrived, they were both incredibly shy. But today, the two children have come out of their shells! Diego’s language has improved, and Jaqueline is happy and playful. Both children are incredibly grateful for the new lease on life they have received.

Thank you for considering
Hope for At-Risk Kids in Ecuador

As you can see, the needs are great, and the relationship between education and breaking the cycle of generational poverty is closely linked.

No matter what level of support you are able to provide, please know that our education projects in Ecuador – which is part of our Thriving Kids Initiative – will go a long way towards helping children finish school and reach the potential God has in store for them!

With your help, we can help kids finish school and lift them out of generational poverty.

Inclusion & Justice for Children with Disabilities

April 4, 2025 by Cross International

Sheila’s son, nine-year-old Emmanuel, suffers from cerebral palsy. “Ever since he was a baby, the community shunned us,” she said, which also made her other children feel isolated and excluded.

Sheila and her family live in Kilifi County, Kenya — a remote area with widespread misunderstandings about physical disabilities. Many believe that curses, incest, witchcraft or even God is to blame. Frequently, children are painfully abused by “healers” who perform excruciating exorcisms, cuttings, burnings, and live burials to “heal” children of their disabilities. Mothers are often believed to have caused the child’s infliction and consequently are subjected to much of the same inhumane treatment.

Until recently, young Emmanuel and his mother Sheila was in dire need of an advocate who would counsel them on their rights and refer them for care. Cross International intervened on their behalf. Thanks to Cross and our in-country partner, Kupenda for the Children, Emmanuel has received regular physical therapy. The results have been outstanding.

Before he began his physical therapy, Emmanuel was totally dependent on others. Now he can get in and out of his wheelchair by himself. He can crawl and stand up unaided, which would have once been inconceivable. It’s an amazing change for Emmanuel and for his brothers and sisters, as well. They can play and interact with him in a more normal manner. It’s truly a blessing!

With your help, we can transform even more lives and spread the love of Jesus

Cross International has programs serving children with disabilities in six countries — Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya and Malawi — and serves more than 35,000 children and family members. Our work ranges from food distribution and community schools to therapeutic rehabilitation, to surgery, to residential programs, and biblically based leadership and community training to change beliefs and practices for a more just and participatory society.

In the first three years of this plan, we anticipate growing to reach a minimum of 60,000 children with disabilities and family members each year. This is significant, as these vulnerable children and their families are likely to be among the poorest members of the community. Children with disabilities are:

Children with disabilities are at a higher risk of physical abuse and are often excluded from receiving proper nutrition or humanitarian assistance in emergencies. These are children devoid of awareness of life’s possibilities, of life’s hope, or a life of involvement even at the most basic levels of society. Families with disabilities are often shunned, isolated and lack economic opportunity, resulting in lives of poverty and living on the periphery of society.

On average, families who have a child with a disability have lower annual incomes.

In our work, Cross International regularly sees all the challenges described above. As a community of followers of Jesus and as an organization, we believe God is calling Cross to “go deeper and do more.” We are poised to significantly grow our position as an agent of action and influence to improve the lives of these children and their families.

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.

-Luke 14:13-14

Your gift to Cross International can help change the lives of children with disabilities and their families so that their lives can flourish and thrive!

Restoring Peace to Gulu

March 28, 2025 by Cross International

Cecilia, 12, is one of six children born to a former child soldier, a tragic victim of the atrocities inflicted on the people of northern Uganda a generation ago. During that violent era, the perverse Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) was notorious for abducting young children, conscripting boys as soldiers and coercing girls into becoming soldiers’ wives.

During those brutal years, the LRA didn’t just brutalize children, they terrorized children’s families as well. Cecilia’s uncles were abducted, and her grandparents lost 12 acres of land plus many animals to the LRA. It was a dark time for all Ugandans. But today, things are bright again for children like Cecilia, thanks to Gulu Community Park, a community-based playground and evangelical discipleship center supported by Cross International and a Ugandan-based ministry, World Embrace.

It’s hard to imagine that with over 250,000 children in the Gulu district, there are no safe public parks for children, but it’s true! When fully completed, Gulu Community Park will provide 15 acres of enrichment to children like Cecilia.

Already, the park is paying dividends! Cecilia’s father got a new job with Gulu Park security. With his improved income, the family can finally afford the children’s school fees, nutritious meals and even medical treatment. Eventually, Gulu Community Park will be a social hub for the entire community – and Cross International will be there each step of the way.

Your support to our Thriving Kids Initiative will bring joy and a safe space for these children to play, learn, and grow.