Vision:

Rural Orphans and Widows AIDS Network exists to transform orphans and widows into change agents. Every widow a leader. Every orphan a beloved child.

Mission:

To love and empower orphans and widows infected or affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa, by raising hope in Christ through holistic approaches and partnerships resulting in self-reliance. ROWAN partners with local Christian leaders and development organizations to empower each person to discover one's God-given gifts and passions. Together, we assess quality of life, identify physical, spiritual, and social needs, and implement innovative strategies to meet these needs within the community.

The Story:

Starting in 2002, Kelsey Young, Co-Founder and Program Director, lived with a local pastor in East Uganda named Pastor Paul. One night under the stars Pastor Paul shared with Kelsey the burdens of his people. He said, “Kelsey, God hears the cries of my people, and there is a purpose for YOU.” This moment was the birthing of ROWAN.

A few short years later after Pastor Paul began to minister to the orphans and widows, Kelsey ventured back to visit the project. The moment she arrived into Pastor’s home she was given a formal report with the title ROWAN on the front! Kelsey read the first sentence, “ROWAN: Rural Orphans and Widows AIDS Network was begun by Pastor Paul and Kelsey Young to bring the widows and orphans of Africa from helplessness to hope…” And that’s exactly what we did. And that was just the beginning.

The Dream:

Kelsey has been traveling to Uganda, witnessing firsthand how various organizations, churches, and individuals are serving the poor—separately. As individual entities, they are doing all they can. But she began to wonder what it would look like to have all the groups working together, combining their ideas, resources, and faith to work toward a common goal. This dream began to take shape as she imagined a unified force moving to the rhythm of God’s heartbeat—with widows and orphans leading the way.

This is the vision behind the dream: Out of the rural bush of Mawanga, Uganda, God will raise up those who will reach every orphan and widow in the country. Who are they? They are the members of the first ROWAN chapter, consisting of 40 women and 100 children. They are the driving force behind transformation. Because Hope does not disappoint.