It is often the faithfulness of others that allows us to be faithful in our own callings. Through the work of Invisible Children I was first introduced to what was happening in Northern Uganda at a Third Day concert in St. Louis, MO in 2006. I started using the films made by Invisible Children in my youth ministry programs, and God began to bend my heart toward Uganda and all that the children in Gulu have endured at the hands of the LRA. Three years later I would first step foot on the red dirt roads of Uganda by joining the maiden voyage of Sweet Sleep to the Pearl of Africa. It was a trip about practicality for me, meeting real needs in the lives of real children in Uganda.

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On that trip in July 2009, I completely fell in love with the people of Uganda, the amazing hospitality, rich culture, and unprecedented sincerity that I encountered around every turn. On the plane ride home from that very first trip, I wrote on the back of a cocktail napkin the name “Fields of Dreams Uganda,” and how I wanted to “build soccer fields and help children in Uganda accomplish their dreams.”

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From the very beginning, James 1:27 (NCV) has been the driving force behind this work; “27 Religion that God accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help, and keeping yourself free from the world’s evil influence.”

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Our work in Uganda conforms to the mercy work that Jesus calls us to throughout the Gospels. We are to love our neighbors well, meet them and listen to them in their time of need, see their inherent value and worth, all while helping them reach their fullest potential. This work is not without risk and great sacrifice as Uganda has a difficult history, and many families we serve are facing extreme challenges.

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I am so proud of what we have accomplished and continue to accomplish through relational development work across Uganda. Our partnerships with our donors in the US along with our schools and communities in Uganda are meaningful and important to the sustainability of our work. One of our greatest forms of sustainability are through job creation and leadership development.

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​One of my greatest joys is to bring new volunteers to Uganda to serve alongside our staff and be richly blessed by their interactions with the amazing children and families we are honored to serve. We are grateful to have volunteers who serve alongside our work that come from diverse backgrounds and who are looking to make a tangible difference in this world. We desire to walk alongside good human beings that want to invest in the empowerment of the less fortunate across Uganda.

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​Each and every day I fully believe that we have the unique opportunity to be an answer to the prayers of those that cross our paths. It is my hope that the children we serve understand fully their value and worth as children created in the image of God. It is my hope and prayer that the children we serve understand that they have gifts, passions, and abilities that lead to a life filled with purpose on this earth. It is my hope and prayer that regardless of past trauma and difficulties, every child we serve can rest in the truth that tomorrow has the potential to be better than today. Hope truly is a basic need!​

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When this work is done well, needs are met, and God is glorified. We do our very best to serve every child at our partner schools regardless of their background, ethnicity, or religious creed. We are honored to provide hope, empowerment, and a future to the vulnerable children of Uganda through our programming, and more importantly through our presence in their daily lives. Thank you for your support and partnership in this great work.

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Michael P. Warneke

Founder & Executive Director

Partnership Opportunities

We're always looking for new partners. Please reach out to join the story of hope taking place across Uganda. Contact us to see how you can make an impact.