Uganda has good laws and serious consequences for perpetrators of child sexual violence, but enforcement is limited by corruption, lack of resources, coordination, and overwhelming demand. In 2024, our teams partnered with the Ugandan government to arrest 221 perpetrators of child sexual violence.
“Auntie, have you heard about the Titanic?” Margaret asked as she perched by the edge of the pool.
“Tell me about it,” I said, shielding my eyes from the hot June sun.
“It was a huge boat that everyone thought was safe until it sank,” she said. “Some of the passengers survived, but most of them died. Why would God allow that?”
Margaret’s question caught me off guard. The rest of the children from our Kampala safehouse splashed and played in the cool water. But this 11-year-old contemplated deeper matters – sinking ships and God’s purpose in suffering.
Her question carried weight. Having survived horrific abuse by someone who should have been her protector and later learning she was HIV positive, Margaret had every reason to feel like she was drowning in an ocean of despair.
(The photo above was taken few weeks prior by our counselor, Jane, who captured this moment shortly after telling Margaret she was HIV positive.)
But this is a story of hope.
“He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemies…. He led me to a place of safety;
he rescued me because he delights in me.” Psalm 18: 16 – 19
At our safe house, Margaret found more than shelter – she discovered a community of mentors, caregivers, and counselors prepared to love and support her throughout her healing journey.
Jane, our psychologist, addressed her concerns about HIV and helped her understand she could still live a long and happy life.Â
She also helped Margaret overcome the nightmares and other PTSD symptoms resulting from her abuse.Â
(Here’s Margaret rebuilding her world during a sand-tray therapy session with Jane.)Â
Behind the scenes, our Community Action Team worked together to prepare her case for court. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, Margaret’s case was successfully committed to the High Court of Uganda.
Meanwhile, our social workers began preparing for her next chapter – reuniting her with an auntie who can provide Margaret with a safe and loving family and home.
A few weeks ago, just six months after our poolside conversation, I watched in awe as Margaret confidently led a devotion on the prodigal son for the children, staff, and visitors at the safe house.
“This story shows us that we have a good father who loves us unconditionally,” she declared.
The transformation was profound. The girl who once questioned God’s decisions now speaks of His unfailing love.
I was so encouraged to see how far Margaret had come. She’s safe, healthy (physically, emotionally, and spiritually), and ready to embrace her future.
None of this would be possible without the support of friends like you.
Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can transform stories of tragedy into testimonies of hope.
With deep gratitude,
Sarah Lambie
President & Co-Founder,
Rescue One More
A year ago, I told you about a young woman in our program named Amy*. I met her while I was visiting the children at the shelter.
I had just shared with all the girls about the importance of finding forgiveness on their journey to healing. I asked them to find forgiveness knowing full well that forgiveness feels like an enormous mountain to be scaled for many of these children.Â
Our resident psychologists help the children rebuild their lives through counseling and play therapy. Our mentors help them find peace through daily devotions and prayers. But, Amy wanted to talk more with me about forgiveness. Â
As her story unfolds and tears run down her face, it becomes clear that the distance between that front porch and her journey home is going to take more than forgiveness.
Forgiveness may eventually be found, but the hurt this child feels when her father blocks her calls cuts deeper than the scars left by the abuser we arrested.
She can’t go home. Her father won’t speak to her and she doesn’t know why.Â
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When we first started Rescue One More, I decided not to get personally involved with the children. My plan just failed. We’ve helped hundreds of children, but Amy’s tears break my heart for all of them and a thousand more to come.
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Sitting on the porch, my mind searches for answers for my new friend. I’m keenly aware of the absence of answers and the complexity of each child’s situation.Â
“Do you feel loved by your aunties here?” I finally ask.
She looks up through her tears.
“Can you be a big sister to the younger girls arriving at the shelter? Can you help them settle in and love them like an auntie?”
She wiped away her tears and a small smile began to surface.
Our shelters were established as sanctuaries for child survivors of sexual violence offering Christ-centered counseling, literacy, mentoring, skills training, family tracing, case management, and more.
Amy found a true home with us at our Kampala shelter. It was here that she began to discover her value and purpose.
As I flew home a year ago, my heart was heavy with concern for Amy and others like her. I wondered if we could provide the services needed to overcome such debilitating trauma.
I am happy to report that over the last year, I have witnessed remarkable transformations unfold in Amy’s life and the lives of many other children.Â
With time, therapy, and renewed faith, Amy has overcome the worry, fear, and doubt that once consumed her. She has embraced her role as a big sister, guiding newcomers with compassion and understanding as they find their way.
Today, Amy is a beacon of hope and a role model to the younger children at our shelter.
Recently, she led her little sisters in a community clean-up project, demonstrating her leadership skills and newfound sense of purpose.
She’s also actively participating in two economic empowerment programs, working diligently to map out a future for herself.
In our daily lives, it’s all too easy to become consumed by fear and doubt—worrying about our loved ones, finances, and work. We often feel like we need to have all of the answers.
Stories like Amy’s remind us that our doubts, worries, and feelings of helplessness can be overcome with a little faith.Â
God has a plan for each of us, even when we struggle to see it.Â
Your support has made a meaningful difference in Amy’s life and in the lives of over 430 other children who’ve come through our program.
Thank you for believing in our mission and standing alongside us in this journey.
In faith,
Scott Lambie
CEOÂ
Did you know that more than 90% of child sexual violence cases involve someone the child or their family knows and trusts? This is a sobering reality both in the U.S. and Uganda.
The journey toward justice in Uganda is fraught with challenges. In addition to rampant corruption, families often try to negotiate settlements privately, outside of the courts and the public’s eyes – a practice that denies victims the justice they deserve and puts countless other children at risk of becoming a predator’s next victim. We’re changing that.
12-year-old Zuri* lived in constant fear. In her Ugandan community, she became the target of an older cousin who was part of a notorious gang. Repeatedly abused and threatened, Zuri finally found the courage to speak out. But her bravery came at a terrible cost.
Her cousin and his gang members threatened her and those trying to protect her. Terrified, her father disappeared into hiding. The local CPS officer faced relentless death threats. Even the police were threatened. Zuri stood alone, against a tide of terror.
But thanks to the compassion and generosity of supporters like you, Rescue One More was able to intervene:
We are excited to announce that after a year of counseling and care in one of our safe houses, Zuri was able to be resettled with her grandmother in another town. Today, she’s safe, surrounded by family. She and her grandmother receive ongoing psychosocial support and Christian counseling from our social workers and counselors who check in on her regularly.
When it’s time for her court hearing, Zuri, her grandmother, and key witnesses will be prepped and accompanied in court. The proceedings will be explained and or social workers will ensure Zuri feels safe and informed.
Zuri is one of 136 children who’ve been rescued from dangerous situations since we launched in March of 2021. But countless others still need our help.
Together, we can bring safety, justice, and healing to more communities and children like Zuri.
*Not her real name.
When 15-year-old Jaclyn* was raped by a neighbor, she was too frightened to tell anyone. Her mother was gravely ill and unable to work. Jaclyn didn’t want to bring more stress to her family when they were already struggling to make ends meet.Â
Some days, it seemed their dignity was all they had left. What if her secret brought shame to her family? She couldn’t bear the thought of her mother enduring any more pain.Â
Sadly, Jaclyn’s mother passed away a few months later. She was sent to live with an older sister who recognized the symptoms Jaclyn was too afraid to comprehend. She was pregnant.
After the initial shock of the news dissipated, Jaclyn told her sister what happened.
Her sister contacted a member of the local Community Action Team (CAT) established by Rescue One More to respond to cases of child sexual violence. The team conducted an assessment and referred Jaclyn to a nearby Rescue One More Center.
There, Jaclyn received the therapy she needed to overcome her trauma and grief along with prenatal care, literacy classes, vocational training, mentoring, discipleship, and more.
A few months after arriving, Jaclyn gave birth to a healthy baby girl. With encouragement from mama mentors and other teen mothers, she’s learned to love and care for her daughter well.
Jaclyn has made incredible progress in her healing journey. She’s also learned business skills and earned a certificate in hairdressing.
But perhaps the most important thing she’s learned is that she has nothing to be ashamed of. She is valued, cherished, and perfectly loved. And so is her baby!
Jaclyn has seen the love of Jesus extended to her through the social workers, mentors, counselors, and other child advocates on our team. We’ve seen it through the services made possible by friends like you!
We’re excited to report that last month [Nov. 2023], Jaclyn and her baby were resettled back into her sister’s home.
Our team was able to set up a small salon for Jaclyn in her sister’s house so she can work from home.
Jaclyn says her dignity has been restored. She’s excited to create a new life for her and her baby!
Our social workers check in with Jaclyn regularly so she continues to receive the support she needs and remembers that she is and will always be perfectly loved.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to carry my cross. We know why Jesus carried his, but what did he mean when he said that to follow him, we must take up our own cross?
We want to introduce you to the first child we rescued. Meet 9-year-old Flora*. Flora is a fun-loving, precocious, and energetic child. You’d never know from meeting her that she’d experienced a brutal attack.
Right now, children’s lives are in danger. Girls who’ve reported cases of abuse or escaped trafficking are living in fear for their lives.
Girls like 5-year-old Tisha* who was being abused in her home by a family member.