True Impact Ministries, Inc.

Background Statement

In 1999, Andy Stewart went with a team of 6 other men from his church on a short term mission trip to Mityana, Uganda. The team helped build the original primary school building for Maranatha Schools. Andy instantly developed a love for Africa and a passion to help the people there. It was on this trip that Andy began to build a relationship with Patrick and Eva Walusimbi, the directors of Maranatha. Fast forward to 2004. Andy and his wife, Susie, were speaking with Patrick Walusimbi about his vision to expand Maranatha. He had recently opened a new school in the remote fishing village of Nkonya. The 25 or so children there were meeting for class under a tree as they had no school building. Andy and Susie decided to do something about it.

With their Christmas cards to family and friends later that year, they sent a letter explaining the need in Nkonya and requesting donations. Over $25,000 was donated and the first building project became a reality. In March 2005, the Stewarts organized a team of 9 men, women and children to go to Nkonya and help build the 3,250 square foot classroom building, pit latrine and rainwater collection system.

Many projects have followed. The True Impact teams have built kitchens, latrines, water projects (wells and rainwater collection systems), teacher’s housing and student dormitories. After building a dormitory for the Salem Children’s Centre in Naama, the Stewarts were led to develop a child sponsorship program and form True Impact Ministries as an official 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2011. True Impact currently has over 230 children in their child sponsorship program.