OUR STORY

Hello, I am Tonya LaTorre, founder of Kirabo Seeds. Thank you for your interest in our organization. Allow me to share the story of how this unique children’s home was established.

KIRABO

In 2009 I participated in a church mission trip to Uganda where I learned there were a reported 2 million orphaned children in a country the size of Washington state. After a week of enjoying the warmth and friendliness of Ugandans, we spent an afternoon at a local baby home. The sadness of holding children who would grow up orphaned wasn’t something I could dismiss. This was the moment my heart changed toward adoption. My husband had been praying for me to be willing to adopt a child for over 4 years. We set our adoption into motion immediately. With the help of a reputable adoption agency, we traveled to Uganda 13 months later to adopt our daughter, Kirabo, or Kira. The name Kirabo means “gift.” She was and is a gift to us from God and from Uganda.

CONNECTION TO CULTURE

Our daughter did not have a single identifiable relative in Uganda. However, at that time most of the babies had some relatives they left behind when they were adopted. During our family’s 6-week stay in the country to finalize our adoption, we learned how Ugandans grieve when a child leaves their culture. I felt compassion for their loss and began to believe that orphans could be raised in Uganda and remain in close contact with their relatives. Our vision then was to develop an opportunity for orphans to have connection to their extended families while also being given an education, good food, and a loving environment in which to grow.

We returned home in January 2011 with our new daughter and established Kirabo Seeds. Soon thereafter, we received 18 children who had been orphaned by both parents yet had extended family members who loved them. The children were malnourished, uneducated, and had no medical care. Their families were grateful to have a partner come alongside them in taking primary responsibility for these children. Regularly throughout the year, the children visit their relatives and remain well-connected to their communities.

HOLISTIC CARE

Through our trained and nurturing staff, Kirabo Seeds now provides these children with an excellent education in local schools, full medical care, a well-balanced diet, a tutor, counselor, and Christian care. We offer career guidance so they begin to study in areas where they can find a job in Uganda. We hope to raise adults who are compassionate and equipped to give faithfully to their family, friends, places of work, and church throughout their lives.

This quality of childcare is only possible through the generosity of sponsors and donors. We are thankful for the way God has provided for the needs of orphans through the help of people everywhere. It is a great honor and pleasure to serve these children so they can grow up knowing the love of their extended families and of the Kirabo Seeds family as provided from God’s loving hand.