Kids First Uganda, or Baana Okusoka Uganda 

(Translates to Kids First Uganda in the local Ugandan language.)

Kids First Uganda (KFU)  was established in Michigan over 10 years ago and is a registered 501.C. 3.  We aim to empower and benefit women and children in low income neighborhoods in Kampala to build a strong community. We encourage, uplift, and create an environment where they can, through education, skills development, employment opportunities, and development of talents and freedom of expression, reach their individual potential. Although our focus is on women and children, KFU's work extends to all people in the community, regardless of their religious beliefs, gender, age, race, or ethnic background.

The women and children KFU supports are just as capable and can be just as independent, as women and children living elsewhere. All they need is an opportunity: to create, to learn, to explore the world, to grow their talents, and to develop their own resources for success in a supportive and uplifting environment.

KFU staff and volunteers in Uganda work alongside women and children to equip and empower them, to encourage creativity which can help an individual to overcome their circumstances, and achieve their full potential. On a larger scale, KFU works within communities to uplift and encourage relationships between families, and to reach out to disengaged youth.

We hope that the achievements of those with whom KFU works will reach further, to change the stereotype of an African child. We believe this will inspire local youth to aspire to and achieve more and will open doors for an opportunity as the rest of the world starts to see Africa as a vibrant source of creativity and development.

  Local Board Members for KFU in Kampala, Uganda 

Kids First Uganda Board, Michigan USA 

KFU Founder and President, Mary Taylor, on a visit to Kampala 

  1. How can I pay? What if I want to write a check instead of donating online?  

You may pay on this website using credit card or PayPal. You may also donate by credit card at our website, kidsfirstuganda.org, or via PayPal and Venmo. We accept cash or check at PO Box 705, Suttons Bay, MI  49682.  

2. Is my donation tax deductible?  

Yes. Kids First Uganda is a recognized 501.C.3. All donations to KFU are tax deductible.  

3. Will I get a tax receipt?  

Yes. If you donate by check or at our website and supply your mailing address, we will send you a paper receipt.  If you donate at the crowd-funding site (https://fundrazr.com/SaveKFUSoccer) and supply your mailing address you will receive a receipt via email.   

4. How do you know that this money will be used appropriately?  

In Michigan, KFU deposits all money with Fifth Third Bank in Michigan, who assists with international bank transfers. We hire a third-party CPA and bookkeeper to review and prepare financial statements. In addition, KFU actively works with staff on the ground in Kampala. We talk frequently with them, and they send us regular written updates and financial statements. In addition, board members from Michigan make regular, extended visits to observe the programming, talk to local board members and staff, and meet with children and mothers who benefit from the programming.  We previously purchased land that houses a community greenhouse and a small building for offices, computer lab, and programming space. As such, we are comfortable in navigating the purchase process for this parcel.  

5. How long has KFU used this field?  

  The KFU Soccer Program has been using this field, free of charge, for ten years.   

6. Are there any other fields locally in Kampala that can be used or purchased?  

There is no other appropriate parcel for sale in the community. KFU has used its current field free of charge and would have to pay rental fees to use other existing fields, none of which are within walking distance for the players. KFU would need to pay for rental fees and transportation for practices as well as home games. These costs are currently prohibitive.   

7. What will happen to the players if the field is not purchased?  

If we are not able to purchase this field, the program may continue for a few months using any remaining funds for transportation and field rental. As KFU does not have a large budget, the program will then cease and most players. Students will no longer receive scholarships. This will have damaging effects on their access to education.  

8. Will the field be rented to other teams? What is the rent potential and how would that work?  

 By owning this property, KFU anticipates it will be able to rent the field for use by other teams and groups, eventually earning enough money to make the soccer program self-sustaining. By improving the field in the future, this rental income may cover other KFU programs as well.   

9. How many people does KFU employ?  

Kids First Uganda in the US is a small volunteer organization and employs no part-time or permanent staff. All funds raised by KFU go directly to programming in Uganda, except for a very small budget for some mailing and printing. In Uganda, there are three paid positions: a position to manage the media center and computer training programs, a certified soccer coach, and the KFU Uganda Director,   

10. How much income does the KFU Board of Directors earn?  

The KFU Board of Directors receive no compensation. This is true for the board members in the US as well as in Uganda.  

11. Why is Fundrazr being used to collect donations?  

Kids First Uganda is happy to receive donations by mail and on our own web page. However, to quickly raise awareness and reach a larger audience in a short timeframe the Board determined that a crowd-funding platform would be important. After researching several options and online reviews, we selected Fundrazr based on its support for non-profits, pricing model, company support, ease-of-use, and flexibility.   

12. $150,000 seems like a lot of money for property. How do you know that this amount is correct?  

Kampala is Uganda’s capital, and like other capital cities around the world, land in the city is at a premium. Few large parcels are available in the urban center. We have independently looked at pricing for lots in similar areas and find this to be more than an appropriate price. In fact, this price is highly discounted from what the owner might be able to earn if he did not have an extended family who has been involved with KFU. Uganda is encouraging foreign investment, including in real estate, and investors from neighboring Eritrea have already approached him with higher offers.    

13. What happens to donations if you don’t raise the full $150,000?   

We very much plan on meeting this goal. If we are not able to secure the property, however, then funds raised will be allocated to the soccer program for rental fees and transportation required to use some other field. This will be quite expensive, but we may then be able to keep the program alive a little longer. 

14. What happens if you raise more than $150,000?

We would love to exceed our goal! Our longer term plans include renovating the field and related facilities. If we raise more than $150,000, we can accelerate this renovation. That would increase the ability to rent the field, furthering our goal to make the programs in Uganda self-sustaining. 

15. There are plenty of needs in Leelanau County, Michigan. Why not, for instance, make improvements at Hancock Field in Leland?  

We do not view making investments in the local community and for highly disadvantaged youth overseas as mutually exclusive. Our organization was founded after seeing the extreme challenges youth in this community in Uganda face and feeling called to help empower them in ways to make change there. This current need is highly urgent; unless we can purchase this field 500 children will lose access to this safe, healthy sport, the wellness and leadership training that is part of the program, and the opportunity for scholarships that ensure they can attend school every day. In short, this will expose them again to the many risks in their environment for drugs, abuse and human trafficking.  

16. Does KFU have a non-discrimination policy?    

KFU’s work in Uganda extends to all people in the community, regardless of their religious beliefs, gender, age, race, or ethnic background. Our mission is to help elevate individuals in a highly disadvantaged community to achieve their full potential.