Our Story.

Sunflower ministries was born out of a deep aching for God’s children with disabilities in Northern Uganda. Because of many difficult and complicated circumstances, individuals with disabilities, especially children, are not able to access the care and support they need to thrive. 

In 2017 four women, from 3 different nations began a conversation that would change the course of the lives of some of these children.  At the time these women were…

Wendy Harper, an American mama, herself a mama of two sweet boys both with intellectual disabilities and nine other children. Her and her family had been serving in the community for 5 years in many different roles.  Becky Cooper, a young American women working for the local church in discipleship & assisting Promise Child Uganda with their important work.  Hope Opindera, a wonderful Ugandan Social Work graduate with a deep passion for helping people.  And Bree Monahan, an Aussie Disability Support Worker visiting Uganda for 6 months. 

Bree remembers meeting Hope for the very first time and asking her if she knew of any children that had disabilities in the area, as Bree had a deep desire to meet them and to learn about their lives and circumstances. The very next week they were out in the community visiting some kids that lived only 2 kilometres from where she was staying. Bree found out later Hope had been visiting some of these families in her own time, already beginning the work that Sunflower later was able to support her to do full time. 

Over the course of 6 months each of these women had deep, memorable experiences with people with a disability in this community. They all realised that the children they met had a story of hardship and frustration, of mistreatment and disadvantage, not for any fault of their own but often because they were misunderstood or judged based on their disability.  They saw a need here. There was a desperate need for the communities, families and children themselves to see the worth that they had and not to be identified or limited because of their disability. 

They met with local government, discussed the lives and hardships of those with a disability with church members, advocacy groups and others who had a heart for those who were vulnerable. Their observations were heartbreaking; there were limited schooling options that were safe and inclusive, minimal understanding and care for those with a disability, fear surrounding the spiritual nature of those with disabilities, and a feeling of isolation and hopelessness for their futures. It saddened their hearts to see these beautiful children, with their own sweet smile, their own story of strength and triumph, hindered by the resources that were available here.

The four women all felt the need and call from God to begin this work and at the beginning of October 2017 Sunflower Ministries was born. 

Our humble purpose: To love those with disabilities and to demonstrate that love as an example of God’s love for His children. Through walking alongside families, collaborating with local infrastructure, and trusting the work of God, we journey with each child and their families to help them live out the wonderful image and purpose that God has crafted them for. 

Why Sunflowers?

We chose this name because sunflowers gather strength and life by looking up to the sun throughout the day. It’s our prayer that our kids will gain strength by looking up to God; the one who holds them and cares for them.

“This then is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.”    1 John 1:5