Lift Up Uganda, Inc.

A group of St Vladimir seminarians offer up to your charity one of our own, Rev. Dn. Richard Okello. Over the course of the three years of his MDiv program, the good deacon has consistently distinguished himself as a man of vision, gentleness, and faith. We have literally stood in awe at his dedication, and not his alone, but that of his wife’s, Diakonissa Winnifred, and children, Anastasia, Alexander, and Sophia, who, remaining in Uganda, have been away from their husband and father for three years so that he could get the necessary training at St Vladimir's Seminary for the work ahead. This is all the more incredible when one considers Ugandan priests unfortunately do not receive salaries at this time.

Dn Richard will be ministering in Northern Uganda, a land still reeling from the trauma of decades of war and on the frontlines of the negative impact of climate change. Basic needs of food, clean water, and education are very difficult to come by. God willing, upon his return he will be ordained to the priesthood and will immediately begin working to build an Orthodox parish and necessary social programs like an elementary school and possibly an orphanage, as education is the only path for children to break out of the poverty cycle.

This fund is created with the prayer that what is collected here can be a true foundation for this work to which Dn Richard has dedicated his life. By giving to this fund you will be planting seeds in a fertile land crying out from tremendous material and spiritual need. The funds raised here will go directly to a fund specified for Dn Richard’s work through the 501(c) charity Lift Up Uganda.

You can learn more about the faithful Deacon Richard here .