August 2026 Birthdays & Updates

We had (10) birthdays in August. New clothes and birthday cake always produce smiles. The clothes aren’t really a surprise because we let them shop for their own clothes. We had a mix up with the kids though — Andrew Mwesigwa, a November kid, got in this group, and Joseph Wepukulu got left out. We will catch him in September. Sorry, Elizabeth Venuti.

We have started our project to fence in the entire 4.2 acre compound.

We now have city water at the compound to help with bathing and sanitation.

The last of (3) terms these kids go to in the year starts on September 14th. We are going to be using the phonics that our teachers learned about in a (4) day training by a company Read For Life between terms. We have hired Daniel Mubiru as Assistant Principal and Director of Studies. He will assist the teachers and kids to adapt to the new methods of learning that Dr. Amanda Brendel introduced back earlier this year.

Here are a few links I wish you would look at from my rework of our website. I lost my programmers and I have been reworking the website with the help of Claude (AI) by Anthropic. Hope they convey what all is going on thru your support of heisworthy.net.

I wanted everyone to know that we’ve also taken in (50) more orphans or very poor children. There are now about (85) girls and (55) boys sleeping at the school during the week. We’ve added more bunks and are looking for more sponsors. We’ve already found sponsors for (14) kids. If you know someone wanting to sponsor or know a group you think I might share our story with, please let me know. 731-607-6885.

We’ve also set up a way for you to contribute automatically monthly by credit card or ACH withdrawal, if that’s more convenient. The cost per child has gone down to $20/month/child due to owning the school and taking in more kids into our care. Thank you for all your love and prayers — God is really showing out in Uganda.

— Max Alston

Newsletter #1

Hi everyone,

I am writing to let you know what is going on in Uganda.

Isaac has moved the 60 orphans to the dormitory at the new school we rented. They have a lot more room and better access to water and bathrooms.

A principal and eight teachers have been hired, and the school has started. There are our 80 orphans and about 220 local village kids attending, making a total of 300 kids.

At Great Love Junior Academy, we are excited to be teaching Bible classes as well as reading, writing, math, and science.

Isaac said:

“Brother, we have put the spring of water amidst the wilderness… our village/community is seeing the school as the savior, so let’s pray for God’s will, and move on as our budget permits. He will lead us.”

We have hired a local company to develop a website for our nonprofit, He Is Worthy. Here is a link to look at what they are doing. It is very early in the development, but we hope to soon allow you to communicate by email with the child you support.

https://heisworthy.net

In January, we started having a monthly birthday celebration for the orphans. We have cake, drinks, and a present of new clothes for the birthday kids. I don’t think these kids have ever had a birthday party.

Also in January, at the birthday celebration, we gave each orphan their own English version.

We were able to witness God move to enable all 350 lepers to get treatment for their leprosy for a full year.

We have only two kids left to be prayed for out of the 100 we started with. Praise God for your willing hearts to make a difference in their lives. They are all smiles, and God is at work moving the hearts of the people around them.

P.S. I still need to know who is praying for Sharon Mendera.

A Letter from Pastor Hundley

Pastor Isaac’s community cannot fully support the needs of their children. However, many of their basic needs can still be met. There are around 100 orphans in the area, many of whom have lost one or both parents to leprosy, malaria, or other tropical diseases. Pastor Isaac and the community work to provide these children with love, a safe shelter, food, and the necessities of life.

One of the biggest challenges these orphans face is education. Many of them cannot afford school fees, and some do not have a school within walking distance.

In January, I had the opportunity to visit Pastor Isaac, his church, his community, and the incredible children he cares for. Over the past 20 years, I have visited many communities throughout the developing world, including Africa, Asia, and Central America. One common issue I’ve noticed is the lack of resources available to these communities compared to those in the United States. However, many of these communities are thriving on a global scale, managing to meet their basic needs without external support from the West.

This is where the partnership between He is Worthy and Great Love Junior Academy comes into play. Through the vision of Pastor Isaac, Max, and Vicki Alston, these kids now have a place to go to school. When I visited, I saw a loving church, a caring community, and a group of believers who are truly committed to the well-being of these orphans. I saw a need — but I also saw a community that seeks God to supply all their needs. I see the potential for this community to truly make a difference in these children’s lives, both spiritually and educationally.

I can fully recommend and endorse Great Love Junior Academy and He is Worthy as fertile ground to sow your support. I encourage you to plant a seed and invest in the future of these children — children who have no other hope. Their hope is in Jesus and His church.

Please pray for these children and seek ways to make a difference.

— Pastor Hundley Harkleroad