By Vanessa Kyalimpa
“I got a vision when I was giving water to children. When I prayed about it, God told me to go home, and that for me meant Uganda,” said Daniel Tulibagenyi, the founder of Promise International.
Daniel was born and raised in Uganda, where he graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in development studies from Uganda Christian University(UCU).
He moved to the United States in 2015 to join family, but later God called him into ministry. He joined Highlands College to become a church minister. During his time there, it was a requirement to go on a mission trip before he graduated.
“I thought my trip would be in California, but God had a different story for me. I headed for Uganda in July 2018, and while I was on the plane, I got a revelation from God telling me that I knew the place I was being called to and that when I got there, I’d receive a sign of rain,” said Daniel.
The first place he reached was Kireka School for Children with Special Educational Needs; it was a sunny day. When he looked at the children, he heard God ask him what he had seen, and without hesitation, he went ahead and said, “Lord, I see children, but then God said no, you see me, and at that instant it started raining.”
Daniel, a man with a heart for children, witnessed firsthand the struggles and hardships faced by children with disabilities at Kireka. He saw the lack of support and resources available to these children, and he knew that something needed to be done to help them.
“It was overwhelming for me,” he said. “I asked God how I’d be able to do this, but He asked if I would take it, and I said yes, Lord.”
Daniel knew that there was more that could be done, and he decided to start his own organization. He founded Promise International with the goal of providing more comprehensive support to disabled children and their families.
When he got back to the States, Daniel shared what he had seen with friends, and they were more than willing to help. He presented the ways in which they could help, and the next year, in July, the work started.
“The first thing we did was paint the school buildings and provide mattresses. We also started a medical clinic that serves the children and the teachers at the school. “We also provide clothing for these children,” Daniel explained.
His organization has since grown to serve hundreds of children across Uganda, providing them with the resources they need to live happy and fulfilling lives.
Osiru Patrick, the head teacher of Goodwill Special Needs Demonstration Academy, one of the schools benefiting from Promise International, said that they have been able to acquire a piece of land where they can grow crops to supplement the diets of the children.
“Promise International has restored my hope in humanity. They have provided our school with a support system and have helped us overcome challenges like the lack of medication for the children with disabilities,” said Osiru.
With over 80 million people living with disability in Africa, according to the United Nations, there is much-needed support and care for disabled children in Uganda.
Promise International visited UCU to engage with students and lecturers and to provide awareness and training about the importance of reaching out to support families with special needs and who have been abandoned.
“With my Christian background, I believe that all people are created in God’s own image, so there’s a huge need for us to be able to embrace them and bring them to the forefront because that is what God calls us to do, to serve the most vulnerable,” said Daniel.
Dr. Omona David, the Dean of the School of Social Sciences at UCU, said that this is going to provide both students and staff members with better academic and research skills, and then students will be sent out to have a hands-on experience and practice the skills they get and make an impact in the community and also be able to advocate for the people with special needs in the community.”
Through his work with Promise International, Daniel has become a champion for disabled children in Uganda. His dedication and passion have inspired others to get involved and make a difference in the lives of these children. He has shown that with hard work and commitment, it is possible to make a real difference in the world.
