HISTORY
AIDSpirit USA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing education, life essentials, and clean water for individuals infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS in the Kayunga District of Uganda. Our faith based non-denominational organization will continue to provide support, compassion, and resources for the Kayunga District, as well as outreach needed in our own local communities.
IN THE BEGINNING
AIDSpirit USA was founded in 1994 by Father Tom Beggin, a Catholic priest from Billings, Montana. In an effort to provide resources for those affected by HIV/AIDS. In 1999 Sister Mary V Maronick came out of retirement in her late 70's and joined Father Tom in his efforts to bring AIDSpirit USA to an international level. Shortly after, a young Ugandan boy named Kenny Mwange approached members of AIDSpirit USA to sponsor the education for several of his friends who were orphaned due to HIV/AIDS in the Kayunga District of Uganda. It was then that our educational sponsorship program began, and AIDSpirit first began making an impact internationally. Today we have over 75 children whose education is fully sponsored by your generous donations.
WE BEGAN TO GROW
The Chairman of AIDSpirit USA, Tom Jacques, travels to Uganda annually with a team from the U.S. to support the children we are sponsoring. In the early years Tender Mercies was renting a home in the Kayunga District of Uganda to house children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Today AIDSpirit USA is raising funds for future growth and to benefit our children of Tender Mercies, the Kayunga District and for those that are needing assistance with clean water, health, education, adult literacy and so much more. Every day more children and their needs are brought to our attention, and with each passing day there is great progress made for those in need. With these numbers on the rise, we are always on seeking additional sponsors and funding to cover our growing needs.
OUR FIRST HOME
The demand for a larger space because of the number of students being sponsored led members of AIDSpirit who visited Uganda in 2009 to lobby friends, family, and others to build a new Tender Mercies home suitable for our children. We continue to sponsor the education of 75+ students, 30 of whom live at Tender Mercies, where we provide them a safe home environment, in addition to their education.
OUR NEW HOME
In 2011 with the funds raised, we constructed our new home of Tender Mercies where our children safely reside today
PROVIDING SAFETY
In 2015 the members of the Montana District Key Clubs raised the funds need to build a security fence around our Tender Mercies home. In building this fence, we are able to provide a safe environment for our children, in which they can continue to grow and thrive in their educational endeavors.
GROWING SUSTAINABILITY
AIDSpirit USA is currently in the beginning stages of a self-sustainment program at Tender Mercies, which would allow the home to be self-sufficient. We recently planted 25,000 pineapples and 1000 banana trees to jumpstart the first of many sustainment programs to come. It is our hope that in continuing to provide resources for Tender Mercies, we will be able to spread our outreach to other areas of need in Uganda.
OUR FAMILY IS STILL GROWING
As our work continues to grow, we look for future opportunities to make an impact in communities across Uganda. We are committed to raising the funds for quality education, new water wells and maintenance of existing wells and continue providing a home for children in need of our love and support. With your help we will continue to make these goals a reality.