CLARION CO. Pa. (EYT) — The spirit of support for helping the most impoverished and needy children continues to stretch all the way from Clarion County to Uganda, Africa, as the Heart for Uganda organization perseveres in its mission.

Local missionary Alissa Cooper Sande founded Heart for Uganda in 2009. At a young age, Alissa had a vision of saving the children of Africa. After taking a mission trip to Uganda and personally witnessing the distressing situation of the orphaned and vulnerable children in Kyenjojo, Uganda, Alissa resigned from her position as an elementary teacher at Clarion-Limestone School and moved permanently to Uganda, Africa, to fulfill her childhood dream.

Headquartered in Clarion County, Heart for Uganda partnered with God’s Care Ministries in Kyenjojo, Uganda, to promote self-sufficiency through education, improved health care, and spiritual support.

Heartforuganda.org states: “Our primary purpose for existence is to carry the hope and love of Jesus to the despairing in Uganda and empower them to create a better future for themselves.”

“We endeavor to do this by rescuing the orphaned and vulnerable children, providing educational and medical services to the community, encouraging spiritual development through church and discipleship programs, offering employment opportunities, and inspiring children and adults by our words and actions.”

Over the years, Alissa and her husband, Pastor Victor Sande, have worked to add needed educational and medical facilities to their base of operation while also continuing in their spiritual mission. They’ve raised money in our region through a number of fundraising efforts, including their annual walkathon in the fall.

Alissa Cooper Sande with husband Victor and family.

Painting with a Purpose Class Set for February 18

Roseville Independent Chapel located at 3598 US 322, Brookville, Pa., is hosting a Painting with a Purpose workshop on Monday, February 18, to benefit Heart for Uganda.

The class, directed by Cindy Mealy, from Leeper, begins at 6:30 p.m., and will run for approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

Participants will be taught how to reproduce an original acrylic painting on canvas. They will be given step-by-step guides on how to paint a charming picture of a small child playing in a beautiful Ugandan setting. While the theme is the same for everyone, each picture will be unique due to the individual interpretation of each budding artist.

Event organizer Lori Sandrock, of Tionesta, told exploreClarion.com, “This is such a fun, easy way to help out a great cause.”

“Everyone has such a good time, and we all discover the inner artist in us. Even those who say that they cannot draw a straight line will produce a beautiful painting that they will be proud to display.”

“Painting for a cause was fun and relaxing”, echoed Linda Coulson, of Clarion, who attended a prior class. “Everyone could follow Cindy’s step-by-step directions. The paintings all turned out great!”

Heart for Uganda would like to thank the Roseville Independent Chapel for hosting the event. The Chapel has been an ardent supporter of Heart for Uganda for years.

“It is because of the generosity of local churches and individuals within our community that Heart for Uganda exists today,” explained Suzanne Johnston, of Brookville. “Because of the many financial gifts that have been given to support Heart for Uganda, women and children have been saved from a life of poverty and injustice. More importantly, they now know that their future beyond this life has been assured. It is this community that has made this happen, and our many supporters should be proud of the countless lives that have been transformed because of their support.”

This cost of the class is $25.00 which includes all fees and materials to create your painting.

To sign up for the class, call 814-229-0273 or email hfuoutreach@gmail.com.

For more information on Heart for Uganda, visit their website at www.heartforuganda.org or follow them on Facebook.

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Explore’s writer Ron Wilshire contributed to this article.