About Christian Relief Uganda

Christian Relief Uganda was established in 1996, to continue the pioneering work of missionary Maria Maw MBE supporting children and families in a small underprivileged community, in the Kamuli district of Busoga, Uganda.

This was an area where:

• One child in seven died before the age of five.
• 45% of children were malnourished.
• 50% did not have safe drinking water.
• 88% of children did not get into secondary education.

It was the obvious need that first drew Maria to Kamuli in 1991. Starting with a handful of girls, by 1995 she was running an orphanage for 38 children, providing not only food and shelter, but also education and training in the basic skills necessary to earn a living. Maria returned to the UK in 2000.

'Maria's Care' is a charity recognised by the Uganda government and funded by CRU.

The Trustees of CRU visit Maria’s Care regularly and are in frequent contact with the work as it develops and progresses. We know what a difference support is making to this area of Uganda and how grateful these people are. Opportunities have been provided and lives transformed.

Today CRU Provides:

• Child-centred education in Pre-School & Primary School at Maria's Care.
• Support for orphans in their own villages and communities with their extended families (in line with Uganda government policy).
• Sponsorship schemes to enable destitute families to become self-supporting, and their children to attend school.
• Vital Special Needs education and integration for Deaf pupils within the Primary School. Without our help these children would receive no education at all.
• Support for the building of rural community health centres.
• Professional dental treatment; equipment; pain relief clinics; oral hygiene education; all in places where there is no provision.