MISSION STATEMENT:  To provide a safe, nurturing and Christ-centered home for orphaned and other vulnerable children (OVC) in Uganda, equipping them through education, discipleship, and love for a life of purpose and service - while actively working to trace and safely reconnect OVC with living parents or legal relatives whenever possible. . Furthermore, this mission extends outward, equipping James, the team, and the children to becomeleaders who help and equip others facing similar challenges across Uganda.

Our Story: How Momo Children’s Home Began & The Journey So Far

Part 1: James’ Story

In 2018, I was 16 years old and in secondary school. My father, who was 80 at the time, was our sole supporter, paying our school fees and providing for our needs. In August 2018, my father became ill with prostate cancer and was hospitalized. The diagnosis changed everything.

I dropped out of school to care for my dad and our family, which included over 15 biological and non-biological dependents. Though heartbroken, I prayed to Jesus for healing and kept trusting Him. I tended our garden, cooked, and sold cassava to make ends meet. When COVID-19 struck in 2020 and Uganda went into a strict 1.5-year lockdown, survival became extremely difficult. I couldn’t leave home to sell produce or buy essential items, but I continued caring for my family as best I could.

In June 2021, my father passed away. It was a devastating blow. After his death, I inherited three small rental apartments. The tenants—a family of six—were struggling to survive the pandemic. Eventually, the parents fled, leaving behind two small boys (aged 8 and 12) completely alone and in dire need. Out of love and concern, I took them in, providing food, shelter, and care. Over time, as more orphaned and vulnerable children were brought to our attention, our household grew to 25 children cared for by myself and a team of dedicated caregivers.

Grieving my father's loss, I searched for spiritual connection and found JesusCares online. I shared my story for the first time, which led me to their discipleship community, Chasing Christ. There, I met Maama Sue, Aunt Jodianne, Aunt Steffi, Uncle Fer, and Uncle Ben (and later Aunt E). Through God’s provision and the prayers and support of this community, our family has been sustained every step of the way.

Part 2: SR & Team’s Story — From Verification to Action

I. A Journey of Trust and Discernment

When James first reached out in the early fall of 2024 seeking help for 25 children and 6 adults following his father’s passing, our initial reaction was rooted in caution. The landscape of international charitable giving requires deep discernment due to the prevalence of online scams. As Group Leaders in the online Christian community (Chasing Christ), Sue Ramson (SR) and fellow leaders informed James that the community did not provide direct financial aid or allow solicitation on the platform.

However, over several months, James remained an active, genuine member. Through regular spiritual mentorship and fellowship, a strong foundation of trust was built. Recognizing James' sincere heart, SR invited colleagues - Ben, Steffi, Jodianne, Fernando, and E - to form a dedicated Mentor Team (MT) to personally minister, mentor and undergird James, his team, and the children beyond the scope of the online ministry.

II. On-the-Ground Verification

In March 2025, a critical breakthrough occurred. SR connected with AfricaMissions (AFM)—a reputable ministry with 30 years of on-the-ground experience in Africa. AFM dispatched two pastors to conduct an extensive on-site audit. Their four-page verification report confirmed the genuine orphaned and vulnerable status of the 25 children and validated the immediate need for basic essentials: food, footwear, housing and bedding, malaria medication, and education.

III. Establishing Legitimacy & Family-Based Care (FBC)

To establish long-term trust, SR (aka "maama") guided James on transitioning from an informal setup to a legally recognized entity under Ugandan law. Crucially, we shifted the operational model away from traditional institutional "orphanages" (which often focus on temporary placement or warehousing) toward Family-Based Care (FBC) - creating a permanent, loving "forever home" for the children.

Part 3: Key Milestones & Roadmap

Since that initial verification, God has moved swiftly through the combined efforts of James’ team in Uganda and the Mentor Team abroad and a small group of faithful supporters.   

GROWTH TIMELINE: 

Fall 2024 James connects with SR & Mentor Team online       

March 2025 AfricaMissions completes on-site verification report and agrees to act as fiscal sponsor

November 2025    Formal incorporation 

June 2026     Passed government inspection; registered as CBO

June 18, 2026    Partnered with new fiscal sponsor Christian Ministry Alliance (501c3)

August 2026 New Board of Directors voted in

Major Milestones Achieved:

1. Essential Living Upgrades: The children have transitioned from sleeping on floor mats to above-ground beds, secured a protected living space with a perimeter fence, established food reserves, and received necessary medical care for malaria and seasonal illness.

2. Government Inspection & CBO Registration: In June 2026, after extensive preparation of administrative and operational policies, Momo Children's Home passed official inspection by Ugandan authorities and earned certified Community-Based Organization (CBO) status in Mukono District.

3. U.S. Fiscal Sponsorship (501c3 Tax-Deductible Status): On June 18, 2026, Momo Children's Home signed an official agreement with the Christian Ministry Alliance (CMA). As our U.S. Fiscal Sponsor, CMA (a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit) now processes all financial contributions, ensuring full donor transparency and tax-deductible giving.

4. New Board Members voted in ensuring the vital separation between Governance and Oversight (Board) and the ongoing operation (Staff).

Part 4: Who Is Behind This & The 3-Phase Vision

Who Is Behind Momo Children's Home?

• The On-the-Ground Team: Founded by Vicent James Katerega, who lives on-site alongside caretakers Nyombi Julius, Kambugu Fred, and Namusisi Olivia. They provide daily hands-on care, meals, shelter, education, and spiritual guidance.

• The Mentor Team (MT):  Everyday believers (Sue Ramson initially invited friends Jodianne, Ben, Steffi, Fernando, and E) to provide administrative, structural, and financial oversight, as well as spiritual oversight,  regular virtual cell group studies and mentorship.

• Fiscal Sponsor: For the first few months Africa Missions was MCH's fiscal sponsor for a 10% admin fee.  Then Sue Ramson personally collected and distributed 100% of (non tax deductible) funds received for 0% fee for a year.   As of June 18, 2026 MCH has partnered with Christian Ministry Alliance (CMA), managing tax-deductible donation handling for 6% to 10% administration fee and financial compliance.

• Board of Directors (Oversight and Governance)

• Staff (Daily Operation)

Our 3-Phase Development Plan:

• Phase 1: Essentials & Governance (Current Focus): Securing 3-month reserves of food, medication, safe housing, proper sanitation (gender-separated latrines and handwashing stations), and completing local/national registration steps.

• Phase 2: Formal Education & Learning: Transitioning all children into formal schooling, providing books, computers, and educational supplies, while connecting remote and local teachers for interim classes.

• Phase 3: Permanent Facilities: Constructing a dedicated facility featuring separate boys' and girls' residential wings, expanded sanitation, skills training, on site medical, kitchen/dining halls, and a multi-use community center for worship and fellowship.

Read about all the major milestones on our blog Momo Moments

From the very beginning, Momo Children's Home (MCH) was established with a clear mission and a deeply committed core team. Like many organizations, MCH began by initially operating under a dual-layer structure where the key leaders (who are also siblings) - James, Olivia, Julius, Deo, Fred and Lydia - carried both board oversight responsibilities and day-to-day staff operational duties.

Early on, Board Advisor Maama Sue emphasized why a distinct boundary between oversight /  governance (Board) and day to day operations (Staff) is critical and something we needed to move to quickly.  She explained that allowing staff to oversee their own management is akin to having the fox guard the henhouse - it removes essential checks and balances.  Also, that establishing an independent board not only protects the staff, it prevents conflicts of interest, ensures financial transparency, protects the mission, and frees the operational leaders to channel their full energy into the daily needs of our children.

Voting Board Members:
Pastor Emma Paddy (Chairperson)
Nakat Sylvia (Vice Chair)
Dr Edabu Steven (Treasurer)
Mwesigwa Mercy (Secretary)

Non Voting Board Members:

Vicent (James) Katerega (Executive Director)

Sue Ramson / Maama Sue (Advisor & Board Mentor)

CLICK HERE to learn more about the MCH Board of Directors

PHASE ONE GOAL is to build up a 3-month reserve of "urgent needs" to mitigate the weekly "crisis" James and team face to simply feed, house and clothe the children.  In addition, to help provide a safe, sanitary living environment, basic medical supplies,  bedding, mosquito nets to treat/prevent malaria and basic education supplies (books, paper, pens, etc).  

PHASE TWO GOAL is to help the children pay the registration fees to attend school, maintain "essentials" and expand the housing to better accommodate a more functional "dormitory" type separation of boys and girls.

EVERY and ANY AMOUNT helps

90% to 94% goes directly to meet the needs of the children.
Christian Ministry Alliance is our fiscal sponsor.   (i.e. they collect and distribute donations).   
Their administrative fee is 6% of all donations mailed in, 10% of all donations paid online.
Click Here for more information: How You Can Help  

We choose not to display photos of children out of respect for their privacy and to uphold their right to control their own image and identity. Children are particularly vulnerable and protecting them from potential risks—both online and offline—is one of our highest priorities. While we understand that seeing the faces of those you support can be meaningful, we believe that safeguarding the dignity and safety of the children comes first. 

However, donors are warmly invited to request access to the Momo Moments Blog and participate in virtual events - we have monthly virtual family gatherings on Wednesdays, prayer meetings, Bible studies, and other gatherings - where they may have the opportunity to meet the children and members of Momo Children’s Home, and witness firsthand the impact their support is making.  

When we, the Mentor Team first met James he was trying to promote "Momo Children's Foundation".   According to James, "MOMO stands for Moureen.  Moureen was someone who was there for me in the times when my father was sick.  She was so close to me, but after the death of my father I broke down mentally and spiritually.  She stood up for me. She guided me in my darkest moments. Yes, my father told me to take care of the kids and to take on his legacy, but I was so scared.  I didn’t think I could do it,  but Moureen gave me courage.  She was a pillar in my life,  and she loved the kids as well. The kids started calling her Aunt MOMO and that’s how I came up with that name; showing her how much she meant to us."

Since we, the MT, began helping James, "Uncle Fer" from the team (an attorney) advised James to stop using "foundation" for legal implications.   "Maama Sue" suggested Momo Children's Home, which was chosen as the official name.  

Our website reflects "Our Story" from when we began.   You can follow the amazing progress and milestones of how your prayers,  generosity and love has affected the lives of these precious children by visiting our Momo Moments Blog for regular updates.