Uganda Travel Diary | Cathie Simpson

GO Project Travel Coordinator/Support, Cathie Simpson, works behind the scenes in GO Project field coordination. In March 2020, she got the chance to go on a trip of her own and went on a life-changing journey to Uganda where she spent nine days visiting four different villages in Kabale – Kafunjo, Kihanga, Rukore and Rugarama.

This wasn’t a typical vision trip. Cathie went to Uganda to learn more about GO Project’s family-strengthening initiative, Father’s Family, from the very place it originated from. GO Africa Executive Director Alison Barfoot and GO Africa Facilitator of Church Partnerships Rose Kanyunuzi pioneered the ministry initiative.

Cathie spent the week with Rose as she was training the new coordinator/assistant coordinator at Kihanga, where the church is launching a brand-new Father’s Family ministry. Part of the training included visiting Kafunjo, Rukore and Rugarama, where Father’s Family is well established. Cathie and Rose traveled with the coordinators from all of the villages to each location.

“In each village, we met with the church management committees as well as several of the Father’s Family groups. What a time of celebration – lots of singing and dancing!,” said Cathie. “These families were so proud of what they have accomplished. It was an honor to be invited into their homes and to hear them share about what an impact the Father’s Family group has had in their lives.”

The weather was beautiful – sunshine and 70’s with some nightly rains that made a mess of the dirt roads, but didn’t slow them down. Cathie told us Uganda is a beautiful country and so green. Kabale is in the mountains and everywhere you look you see hillsides covered with individual family garden plots.

One of Cathie’s favorite memories of the trip was their visit to Kihanga. They met with Pastor Obed and his team as they were preparing to launch Father’s Family. This was the first time the committee had ever met together. It was also their first time to meet the new coordinator and assistant. Rose shared with everyone the significance of the work they would be doing, empowering them to be change makers within their church and community and teaching them specific ways they could have an impact on families that are in desperate need of support.

“There was one moment – it was almost like an electric charge went through the room – where you could just feel that they got it. The energy and excitement were amazing to witness,” said Cathie.

Cathie was also amazed by the many people she was able to meet who are all working together to strengthen families.

“I was so impressed with all of the coordinators and assistant coordinators. They are our frontline workers in this ministry – the spiritual leaders, teachers, community organizers, financial planners, social workers, etc. The work they are doing is so important,” said Cathie.

Cathie left the nine days full of so much more knowledge and feeling energized to continue serving vulnerable children and families. She will never forget the beautiful country, people and culture of Uganda.

Meet international needs

Support our local church partners in Uganda and around the world who are supporting and empowering children and families through initiatives like Father’s Family. You can provide the basics every child deserves and help keep families together by giving to our Greatest Needs fund.