Years ago, I traveled to Uganda with a group of Christian architects and engineers who volunteer their skills to help ministries in developing communities. As an architect, I had the opportunity to serve on a project for a growing church in the rural bush of Uganda.

During that trip, I met a young man named Badru Kikawa.

Badru was an orphan. When I asked how old he was, he said he believed he was about 18, but he did not actually know his birthday. The church we were serving had taken him in, and he was sleeping on a simple foam mat in the corner of the church sanctuary.

Despite the hardships he had experienced, Badru had given his heart to the Lord and had a deep desire to serve Him.

While I was there, Badru asked me a question that would change both of our lives forever. He asked if I would be his father.

That moment began a relationship that has continued for many years. My wife and I had the privilege of walking alongside Badru as he pursued his education, grew in his faith, and followed the calling God placed on his life. Though he lived on the other side of the world, he became part of our family, and we have watched with gratitude as God shaped his heart to care for children growing up in circumstances much like his own.

Today, Badru leads a school serving children in extreme poverty in one of the slums of Kampala, Uganda. Building on that work, he is also working to establish a children’s home in the Kayunga District, where children who lack stable care can be nurtured, educated, and given a safe place to grow. His vision is to strengthen the ministry already underway while expanding its reach so more children can experience safety, love, education, and the hope found in Jesus.

Along the way, we also connected with King’s Kids Home & School in Mityana, Uganda, led by Pastor Robert Mponye. This faithful ministry has been caring for children facing poverty, family instability, or loss of support through a home and school, but they are running out of space as the need continues to grow.

Seeing the faithfulness of these leaders and the needs of the children they serve led to the creation of One Seed.

Rather than starting something new from scratch, One Seed comes alongside trusted ministries already doing life-changing work, helping provide the support and resources they need to grow.

Because sometimes all it takes is one seed planted in love to change a life forever.