Uganda Annual Report
"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." — Matthew 5:16
Tanaka exists to glorify God and be a radiant light in the world. We are a ministry in Uganda devoted to blessing others through service, truth and the love of Christ. We are called to live visibly and purposefully, so that our actions reflect the heart of Christ and inspire others to glorify God. Through every outreach, word, and work, we shine not for recognition, but to reveal the grace that transforms lives.
At Tanaka we are "Blessed to be a blessing"
Dear Friends and Partners,
This year at Tanaka has been one of both challenge and triumph. We have celebrated lives restored, classrooms filled with eager learners, and communities standing stronger against exploitation and abuse. These victories are not ours alone — they are the fruit of your faithful prayers, generous gifts, and steadfast partnership. Together, we are lighting the way to safer, brighter futures, and we can already see glimpses of Uganda being reclaimed for the glory of the Lord.
The journey has not been easy. Change and growth often come with trials, and we have faced many obstacles along the way. Yet through it all, we have seen God's hand at work — guiding, protecting, and sustaining us just as He always does. Each challenge has been met with His provision, and each moment of uncertainty has been answered with His peace.
We praise God and give Him all the glory for every life touched, every soul saved, and every family encouraged. It is heavy at times to witness the pain and suffering in this world, but we are reminded daily that our labor is not in vain. We know that one day God will make all things new, and until that day, we surrender ourselves to be used by Him — to be His hands and feet in a dark and dying world.
Even in the midst of hardship, we are not without hope. We serve from a place of victory, not striving for it, because Christ has already won. This truth gives us courage to press on, knowing that the work we do is part of His greater plan of redemption.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to protecting children, strengthening families, and restoring lives in Jesus' name. Thank you for walking this path with us. Your partnership is a testimony of God's faithfulness, and together we will continue to shine His light into the darkest places.
With deep gratitude and hope,
Tanaka's ministry addresses the full spectrum of child and family protection through four interconnected projects, each designed to meet specific needs at different stages: prevention, intervention, and restoration. Together, they form a comprehensive pathway of hope and healing, rooted in Christ's love.
Path of Hope
Path of Hope rescues girls who have been trafficked, sexually abused or are teen mothers abandoned by their families. We bring them to safety in our shelter and begin a comprehensive recovery process. After rescue we provide discipleship, trauma-informed counselling, skilling, medical support, and legal aid where needed. Our goal is holistic restoration — physical safety, spiritual and emotional healing, family reintegration when appropriate, and long-term stability.
Meet Susan (name changed for privacy): Susan was rescued after being impregnated by a local witch doctor and was brought into Path of Hope by the government officals for her safety. But Susan found much more than just safety! She found loving mothers surrounding her to help her prepare to be a young mother, medical care for herself and the growing baby in her womb, spiritual counselling to help her work through the traumatic and desperate situation she was removed from and she also received life skills to help her prepare to support her new baby after resettlement. With supportive "aunties" by her side, Susan gave birth surrounded by love. Today, she is learning to trust again and discovering the hope Jesus offers to her and her child.
Your support made this transformation possible for Susan.
Assist · Resettle · Educate
A.R.E. is dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children by ensuring access to quality education. We provide school fees, supplies, and scholarship pathways so children can remain in school and secure brighter futures. Beyond academics, we resettle children who were living on the streets, reconnecting them with their families and communities. Our mission is to break cycles of poverty and open doors of opportunity through education and care.
Vincent once faced life on the streets due to extreme poverty at home. Thanks to Tanaka's intervention, he was resettled with his family and enrolled in the ARE program, which provided vital support for both Vincent and his parents. This year, Vincent proudly graduated from high school after completing his Senior 6 examinations! With an unshakable passion for learning, he now dreams of becoming a teacher—ready to inspire the next generation.
Your support made this possible. Because of you, Vincent's future is filled with hope, opportunity, and the promise of giving back to others.
Reclaiming Hope
Reclaiming Hope's vision is to see God's plan for children and families reclaimed and restored in every community of Uganda! It is a Biblically based curriculum created to empower communities to protect and defend their children against abuse and family separation. Teams of trainers travel into deep villages to bring God's message of hope for families. God's design for families is best and we work to preserve and protect that design in every community we serve.
In a rural village in Uganda, a mother of ten children faced unimaginable hardship. Abandoned by her husband, she was left alone to provide for her family with no resources and no hope. In her despair, she even considered ending her life and the lives of her children.
But God intervened. He sent a team from Reclaiming Hope, to her community just in time. As she listened to lessons about the value of life, the importance of protecting children, and the roles God has given fathers and mothers in the family, her heart was convicted. She chose life—for herself and for her children. From that day forward, this mother began to sacrifice daily to ensure her children had food. Though her circumstances remained difficult, she trusted God to provide and He has! The local church surrounded her with love and support, standing with her in her time of need.
Today, her story is a living testimony of God's power to transform despair into hope! You have made this possible.
Mukisa Ministries
Our new community center is a safe, welcoming hub for children and families. It hosts a before school feeding program, education assistance, tutoring, vocational training, parenting workshops, youth mentorship, recreational activities, and a resource library. The center creates a Christ-centered space for opportunities, learning, and community-building.
Six-year-old Betty comes from a large family living in poverty. Each morning, she and her siblings arrive at the center for a nourishing breakfast of porridge made with fresh cow's milk and an egg from the chickens. After sharing in morning devotions, Betty heads off to school with her brothers and sisters, but learning has been difficult for Betty. A problem with the muscles in her eyes has made reading nearly impossible. Thanks to your support, Mukisa Ministries has been able to take Betty and her father to an eye hospital an hour away—something her family could never have afforded on their own. Betty is now scheduled for surgery early next year. This operation will straighten her eyes and give her the chance to learn to read alongside her siblings. Betty's greatest desire is to read the Bible so she can know God's Word for herself.
Your generosity has made this hope come alive for Betty and her family.
Rescue & Restoration
- 39 girls and 6 children (including 2 who were born with us) were safely rescued
- 36 girls were resettled
Education Impact
- 27 vulnerable children completed the school year
- 255 received tutoring in math and reading
- 1 finished secondary schooling
Medical Aid
- 5 received extensive medical care
Community Outreach
- 74 sensitization workshops in local villages
- 2,220 community leaders were trained on God's design for family
Build phase 2 with an Office and skilling center for Path of Hope
This will establish a dedicated office space within the safe house/shelter compound to enhance coordination, privacy, and support services for survivors and staff.
ARE: Deepen Discipleship
ARE seeks to be more intentional in discipling children, guiding them not only through education but also in their walk with Christ. Our vision is to move beyond simply providing school fees, to nurturing hearts and minds with biblical truth, mentorship, and spiritual growth. By combining academic opportunity with discipleship, we aim to raise a generation equipped to break cycles of poverty and live out God's purpose for their lives.
Fully fundraise for Reclaiming Hope
Secure the necessary funding to sustain Reclaiming Hope, ensuring it becomes a fully operational program that empowers individuals and communities on their journey to reclaiming their communities with God's design for families.
Grow the Mukisa Ministry Center
Expand the reach and impact of the community center by increasing programming, deepening engagement, and creating a vibrant hub for planting seeds that will grow deep roots in Christ.
Why These Goals Matter
Together, these initiatives will:
- — Improve organizational stability and service delivery
- — Help children and their families rise from poverty to purpose
- — Unlock the potential to reach more communities
- — Strengthen community bonds and create a lasting impact
Hello Tanaka donors, prayer supporters, friends and family. 2025 has been an exciting and challenging year. As the new Executive Director I am excited to take over Tanaka ministries and carry it forward for many years to come, Lord willing. I am also thankful to the Jones family for entrusting me and my daughter Sarah, Country Director, to take it on and I hope to get a chance to meet and talk with you in the coming months.
Sarah has been involved with Tanaka for the past 3+ years, and serving in Uganda for 11 years total now. She has already been doing much of the work that Tanaka is part of and is founder and co-founder of many of the programs, so we are planning for a smooth and seamless transition.
While much of this report has been done by the Tanaka team and I have only been cheering them on, helping raise funds, and with lots of prayer, I am very excited to see how God is using Tanaka in Uganda. We plan to continue that for years to come. Without you, this work would not be possible and I hope this report will give you some idea of the impact you are having with your gifts, support, and prayers and a personal connection to this important work.
Please pray for this transition that we would only seek to honor God and that the work we do both in the USA and in Uganda and beyond would be to His glory, and people would come to know Jesus. Also, please pray for health, protection, favor with the Ugandan government system, and the hearts of all of our team and staff to continue the work that God has given us to do.
If anyone has any questions for me or about Tanaka or the individual programs, please feel free to reach out to me via email and I would be happy to set up a call or connect via video chat. If you have ever had an interest in visiting Uganda and seeing the work that Tanaka is doing, we would love to have you come visit and see the great work that is being done in the lives of so many in Uganda. We would love to have you!
My email is director@tanakaglobal.org
Thank you all again, because without all of you, this work would not be possible.
For His Glory,