Meet Alfred Charles, CEO & Founder of Volunteers Heart for Africa Uganda
Here’s his story
Meet Alfred Charles, CEO & Founder of Volunteers Heart for Africa Uganda
Here’s his story
It is with great pain of heart but also with tremendous excitement that I write these words to you. When I reflect on what I went through when I was a young boy, I cry!
Volunteers Heart for Africa is the realization of my dream to care for orphaned children. I and my wife, we devoted all our time and energy in caring for the abandoned children, orphans and of a low-income poverty-stricken region. Our goal is to rescue as many children as we can from the depths of poverty.
“I was born into a polygamous family. My father was a teacher and had eleven wives, and my mother was the eleventh wife. I am the sixth born on my mother’s side and the second last born in the family of 64. I was brought up in a large family. I had a lot of laughter and joy but no chance to get a proper education or be treated individually. I remember how alone I felt when I was young. I had one dream at that time: to create a family in which everyone could achieve his or her goals. I had so many difficulties at school after my brother who was trying to help with school fees and scholastic materials committed suicide after knowing that he is HIV Positive, and after his burial the real suffering in life begun; I become a school dependant and to study I had to do all kind of work at school: cleaning the school compound, cleaning toilet, working in the school garden and to help in the construction at school among others. As if HIV came to finish our family, so many other siblings died of AIDS and left orphans that I had no chance to support as I was still a little boy, only a few have benefited from me. Now out of 64 we are only 18 in our family, the rest went to be with the Lord at a time their families needed them so much; this just gave me a go ahead with my dream of starting a home for those suffering, I felt in my heart that all the hurting children should be taken care of by the government, yet nobody cared about them. But with a strong Christian zeal based on the Bible scripture in James 1:27 about helping orphans and widows overcome hopelessness; I found my life’s passion. Having witnessed the life orphans live, I understood what it’s like to be abandoned with no food, clothes, or shelter. I understand the agony and the struggles which many single mothers and widows go through daily to fend and feed their children.
My personal story is one of grief, healing, and faith that God has used me to impact many lives across the globe.
I think I can describe my personality as fun-loving, playful, childlike, curious, imaginative, enthusiastic, excited, passionate, and emotional. I am upbeat, cheerful, happy, positive, and have a strong sense of humor and laughter. I am bold and courageous, straight forward, candid and frank.
