Dear one,
Wherever you are, I hope you are well and warm. As we move through this powerful and challenging time on earth, I want to invite you to join me in a story of love, resilience, and transformation—a story that has deeply touched my heart and may touch yours too.
A Journey of Connection: Embracing Nature, Friendship, and a Heartfelt Mission
My partner and I recently travelled to Costa Rica for the first time. We spent beautiful, recharging weeks immersed in nature—the ocean's power and the sun's warmth were something we had longed for after an intense year of work and deep personal processes.
One of the things I was most excited about was visiting a dear soul sister of mine, Ambika. She now spends part of her time living in the lush highlands of Costa Rica, near a beautiful river, in the home she and her husband are building together—a dream she had carried in her heart for years.
During our time together, she introduced me to her land, her vision, and the life she is creating. But she also shared something else I already knew in part, yet hearing it firsthand made it all the more real: her journey with the Children of Grace in Uganda.
The Unexpected Birth of a Family
It all started toward the end of 2021. Ambika, who has a tradition of giving back at the end of each year, was looking for a cause to support when she came across the story of a young man named Muleme Simon Peter.
He had lost both of his parents to COVID, and he and his six siblings had been forced to live on the streets. She made a small donation to help—and thought that was the end of it.
But two years later, she checked in with him to see what had happened, and what she learned changed everything.
His small family of seven had grown to 32—all of them girls.
One by one, orphans and abandoned children had found their way to him, and despite having nothing to offer but his heart and presence, he took them in. He made them one simple promise: that they would not be alone.
But as you can imagine, this was not an easy task.
• Food was never guaranteed.
• Their shelter was unstable, and they had no permanent place to stay.
• Most of them had never been to school.
Ambika was deeply moved and sent what she could for food. But soon, she realized that this wasn’t just about survival—it was about creating a future.
The Birth of a Dream: From Shelter to Stability
With faith and determination, she took a leap and reached out for help. Ambika wrote to her friends, acquaintances, and tribe, asking if they would support the idea of creating a real home for these children.
And something incredible happened.
What once seemed impossible became reality through the kindness of friends, family, and strangers.
• A piece of land was purchased, giving them a place to call their own.
• A house was built, so they finally had a safe place to sleep.
• Food became more consistent, thanks to the generosity of donors.
• 13 children are now going to school—something they never imagined possible.
But what touched me the most was not just the physical support they received—it was the transformation in their eyes. They felt seen, loved, supported, and safe for the first time, which shows in their eyes.
What began as a simple act of generosity became a movement of love—a testament to the power of human connection, trust, and generosity.
An Invitation to Join
As this journey continues, there is still so much to be done.
Right now, they urgently need to build a well so that they have direct access to clean water. Currently, they must walk over an hour just to get water.
They also need 50 EUR per week to provide the children with basic food, which is still challenging to secure.
They also need kitchen equipment, like a stove and basic cooking tools, to prepare meals for the children.
Additionally, it costs 300 EUR per year to send a child to school. If you feel called, you can become a godfather or godmother to one of these children and support their education.
And so I ask you—if this story moves you if you feel called to be a part of it in any way, I invite you to give, share, and support. Even the most minor contribution can make a difference.
💛 Follow their journey through Ambika’s Telegram Channel, where she shares updates and her interactions with the children: Join Here
💛 Make a donation—every contribution helps provide food, education, and basic needs: Donate Here
💛 Sponsor a child’s education—300 EUR a year can change a life.
💛 If you cannot give financially, sharing this story is also a gift!
This is more than just one person helping another—it is about offering these children a sense of safety, easing the weight of their hardships, and giving them the chance to dream of a future filled with possibility.
With gratitude,
Orestes Léon Hellewegen
Stefan Schmidinger
The children of Grace & Muleme
Ambika & the family of light
Comments