In 2007 Geoff became aware of the plight of the orphans at his link school in Chebukutumi. There were 30 at the school and that number had increased alarming to over 80 in 2010 due largely to the ravages of HIV/AIDS. No real distinction is made between those who have lost both parents (total orphans) and those with only one (partial orphans). Often a single parent can also be very ill with HIV/AIDS and unable to work. Family support can then fall on the older siblings who miss out on their childhoods and education or the orphans may be cared for by other family members or friends.

Following this start another Mercy Ministry was set up at Chebukutumi in 2009 and another one was started in Nalondo in 2010 and one at Tunyo in 2011. In Chebukutumi and Nalondo some of the orphans received school uniforms which then allowed them to start a primary education. Nalondo and Tunyo have also invested in a heifer milking cow.

All the Mercy Ministries have now been registered as OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Chiildren) Self Help Groups with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Deveopment and we are awarding grants to each of them year on year to provide some enhancements to basic needs such as school uniforms, mattresses, blankets, sweaters and food for the most needy as well as looking to source funds for new OVC Groups.  New ones are currently being set up at Chebukube abd Chebukuyi.

Through a very generous donation in 2013 we have been able to purchase a cross bred milking cow for each of the OVC Groups at Mapela, Tunyo and Chebukutumi with enough funds remaining to buy another 2 cows for each group in the future.  We have also started chicken projects to raise funds for the benefit of the orphans and vulnerable children.