About Us
Our Story
In 2010, while teaching English to refugees in Kampala at a local ministry, Missy had students in her classes who were not safe and needed help. While looking for services for these students, Missy realized that there was a major gap. God put it on her heart to start the first shelter for refugee women in Kampala. She moved to Uganda in 2013 to begin holistic programs for refugee women. In Partnership with Refuge and Hope, Missy helped start the first shelter for refugee women in Uganda. This shelter opened in the city of Kampala in 2013.
In 2018, as Francis and Missy were ministering among refugee families in Kampala, they realized that there were still major gaps in services, especially for refugee men and children. Together, they dreamed of a holistic ministry model where the most vulnerable refugee women, men and children could experience God’s hope, healing and restoration. That dream became Amani Sasa.
In 2019, Amani Sasa opened it’s doors to provide holistic, wrap-around services for refugees in Kampala. Over the years, the mission has grown and expanded. Refugees who have gone through the programs have become staff. Today, Amani Sasa’s team of 37 East African staff serve over 450 families per year. God has transformed thousands of lives through these vital programs that offer safety, wholeness and empowerment so refugees can experience their full God-given potential.
Our Context
Our ministry context
Refugees flee to Uganda from neighboring countries to escape war, violence, and persecution. They come, usually empty-handed, seeking safety. Instead, many find only more danger – violence, abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. Uganda welcomes refugees with open arms, but there is no safety net of social services from either the government or the United Nations. Amani Sasa is the leading organization in the capital city, Kampala, providing complete, holistic care to the most vulnerable refugees.
Why we exist
Amani Sasa exists to provide urgent relief and critical care to refugee women, men and children in Kampala who are suffering and in dire situations. As a faith-based nonprofit, we are motivated by our faith to meet the holistic needs of refugees in crisis.
Since its founding in 2013, Amani Sasa has filled a significant gap in social services in Kampala. We are a leader for in-depth, holistic care and support of the capital city’s most vulnerable refugee men, women and children. We began the first shelters for refugee women/children and men in Uganda.
Our Staff
Half of Amani Sasa’s 37 staff are program graduates.
At Amani Sasa, we believe in investing deeply in the community that we serve. We not only provide ways for refugees to experience in-depth healing and empowerment, but we empower them to be leaders in their community.
We value and seek to amplify voices of refugees and marginalized communities. Part of this initiative involves intentionally empowering refugees to serve at Amani Sasa as staff. Our programs are made stronger by their voices and leadership because they understand the experience and perspective of Amani Sasa clients. Therefore, all of our staff (except our CEO) are East African and half of our staff are program graduates.
Our Partners
Refuge and Hope
Amani Sasa began as a set of programs provided by Refuge and Hope. Under the umbrella of Refuge and Hope these programs grew and thrived until Amani Sasa launched as a separate organization in 2019. We continue to partner closely with Refuge and Hope.
CBF / CBF Florida
Amani Sasa was envisioned, founded, and has grown in close partnership with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, which provides financial support for our executive director. We are also grateful for the support and partnership of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida. We would not be where we are today without the financial, logistical, and spiritual support provided by these networks of churches and individuals dedicated to being the presence of Christ to those our world has marginalized.