Kate Tolhurst
Ministering to children with disabilities and their families in Uganda
13% of children in Uganda have a disability and of those only 15% have access to education
Ekisa Ministries
I am working for Ekisa Ministries to “rewrite the story of disability”. Ekisa aims to change people’s views of disability and see those affected as precious children of God. We support families to prevent abandonment and the institutionalisation of children. We seek to improve the children’s quality of life (medical, spiritual, emotional and educational), and we promote inclusion in the community where the children live.
Ekisa aims to change people’s views of disability and see those affected as precious children of God.
Disability brings hardship wherever you live, but in Uganda many of families live on less than £2 per day. Families often have no access to clean water, power or medical care. Ultimately however, their main need is the same as ours: Jesus! We aim to teach our families about him and demonstrate his love.
My calling
I grew up going to church but didn’t surrender my life to God until I became seriously unwell in my final year of university. God revealed to me both how broken I was but also how much he loved and valued me just as I was. It was around this time that I began caring for and teaching children with disabilities. I knew straight away that this was my calling. When I got the opportunity to visit Kenya in 2003, God made it very clear to me that my future was going to be in Africa. After spending 18 months in Burundi and then spending several years working in special schools in Hampshire, I moved to Uganda in 2009.
My role
I am a mother to two adopted daughters (Mary and Noella who has Downs Syndrome). I work at Ekisa Academy, a school for children with disabilities. My aim is to live out the gospel both in my home, church community and workplace. Over the years I have seen many people (of all abilities) come to Jesus just by being a welcoming, loving friend, teacher and work colleague; as well as, someone who prays for and with people and shares the truth from the bible.
I am responsible for running Ekisa Academy, and I encourage other schools to include and educate those with additional needs. I am also involved with running bible studies with staff and running a family cell group at our church.
