God in Action, Our Story and Vision for the Next Five Years
- God in Action
- Apr 24
- 5 min read
Introduction
God in Action (GIA) has been a beacon of hope in our community for over a decade. The organisation was founded by my late father, Wabwire Shafen Fredrick in 2011.
My father was a local farmer well known for sharing food and shelter for children in need. The initiative was born out of a deep-seated commitment to reducing the suffering of children, particularly those who had lost their parents or guardians.
GIA was officially registered as a Foundation in 2016. Foundation Status solidified our community's belief that our children would always have a place to turn to in times of hardship. After my father passed away I have continued the planned mission of looking after the welfare of the children. We currently have 101 children, in our care.
Impact on the Community
GIA has played a transformative role in uniting our community. As a predominantly farming-based society, people have consistently come together to contribute food and resources to support the children. Growing up, I witnessed my father’s dedication to nurturing parenthood, leadership, and community solidarity. These experiences shaped my own understanding of the importance of love, compassion, and service to others.
In 2016, GIA also became a registered Community-Based Organization (CBO) at the district headquarters, receiving an operational permit that we renew annually. This official status has enabled us to expand our initiatives and broaden our impact further.
2021 - A Pivotal Moment: Meeting Pete Cohen
I met Pete Cohen through the Clubhouse app. He asked me a simple but profound question: “How can I help you?”. This question marked a turning point. I shared with Pete our vision—to establish a farm as a sustainable foundation for GIA. We understood that relying solely on donations would not ensure long-term sustainability, so we needed a self-sufficient project. Farming was the answer, providing both financial stability and valuable skills training for the children. Since that moment, Pete Cohen has been instrumental in GIA’s progress.
Below is a breakdown of our achievements over the years following our initial meeting:
Our Achievements To Date
Year 1: Leadership and Land Acquisition
Global Leaders who share insights into leadership were together at a ‘Taking the Lead in Leadership’ conference. They agreed to host a 24-hour Fundraiser for GIA’s Vision. The event was extended to 36 hours and £11,000 was successfully raised. This enabled GIA to purchase five acres of land for the farm – an incredible achievement!
Funds also supported food provisions for the children (£20 per child, per month)
Year 2: Improved Living Conditions
The children previously slept on cold concrete floors with only mats. Now, due to the generous donation from James Peters, 10 triple-decker beds and 30 new mattresses were purchased, allowing every child to have a good nights sleep.
Year 3: Digging Deep into Agricultural Growth and Life into the Land
An investment of £1,000 was made in Peanut Farming. Debbie Digby Smith and her husband very kindly donated the funds for this.
The first harvest yielded 50 bags of peanuts, generating £3,500 in profit.
These funds covered overdue tuition, rent, basic necessities, and reinvestment funds to plant for next season.
Farm crops were also diversified to include corn, beans, potatoes, cassava, mangoes, and jackfruit.
Children were relocated from an urban environment to a safer place, nearer the farm, providing a healthier and more supportive community environment.
Year 4: Mechanization and Water Security
Many challenges were faced due to manual farming techniques which impacted productivity. We needed machinery to speed our tasks. Pete Cohen reached out to New Holland, a global agricultural machinery manufacturer for their support. They generously donated a tractor to GIA. The tractor has been hired out to local farmers under supervision of GIA to raise funds for the organization, enabling them to become more self-sufficient.
A three-disc plough and a five-ton trailer were purchased from these funds. This has significantly improved farming efficiency.
A 50-foot well was constructed on the farm, ensuring year-round irrigation for crops and providing water for both the farm and the surrounding community. Clean water access has facilitated daily activities such as drinking clean water, cooking, washing and hygiene. Children have therefore benefited from the training in farm management skills.
Our Vision and Proposed Plans over the Next Five Years
Year 1: Build a Sustainable and comfortable Home for the Children and provide Transport
Construct two accessible dormitories accommodating 30 boys and 30 girls. Each separate dormitory together will be connected to washroom facilities on the farm. The permanent home on the farm will eliminate rental expenses, create a safe space and opportunity for daily routines whilst integrating daily life skills training.
Acquire an accessible van to transport children to school, reducing the long-distance walks the children currently endure to get to school and back. The van can also be used for other purposes e.g. taking produce to market, picking up visitors from the airport.
Year 2: Creating a Family-Oriented Living Environment to Allow the Children to Flourish and Grow
Develop individual cluster homes where six children share a living space with a dedicated caregiver who takes care of each child’s needs and looks after their welfare.
Provide personalized mentorship to understand each child’s dreams, challenges, and aspirations.
Build cottages for volunteers, fostering direct engagement and support from local and overseas visitors and trainers who can impart knowledge, skills and support to the Organization.
Year 3: Expansion into Livestock Farming
Construct livestock shelters for cattle and poultry.
Introduce layer chickens for egg production, generating income and teaching children about entrepreneurship and sustainability. This will also provide for the children to have fun as well as hands-on-experience.
Establish a structured process for children to learn business and agricultural skills and management.
Invest revenue from the sale of eggs (an estimated £2,500 per 1,000), into purchasing educational tools such as computers and art equipment.
Year 4: Land Expansion and Market Integration
Expand farm size locally from 5 to 15 acres to accommodate more activities and training programs.
Introduce a delivery truck for transporting farm produce such as eggs, milk, and crops to markets.
Diversify skills training to include marketing, furniture-making, driving, painting, manufacturing, and construction.
Year 5: Graduation and Empowerment
Organize an official graduation for children who have successfully acquired life and vocational skills at various points of their journey.
Implement a structured transition program to prepare children for independent living and employment.
Recognize and acknowledge individuals and supporters who have played a significant role in shaping the children’s futures.
In Conclusion
God in Action has come a long way from its humble beginnings. What started as a vision to support orphaned and vulnerable children has grown into a transformative movement, bringing hope, education, and sustainability to an entire community. With the unwavering support of individuals like Pete Cohen, generous donors, and the community, we are steadily turning dreams into reality.
As we look to the future, our focus remains on building a self-sustaining ecosystem where children can thrive, acquire skills, and become responsible, independent adults. Through strategic planning, partnerships, and a shared commitment to change, GIA will continue to be a force of impact for generations to come.
Join us and make the vision a reality!
For donations and contributions towards the farm development:
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