OUR STORY begins with the adoption of a boy in Uganda. When that boy grew up, he decided to give back by helping children less fortunate than himself.
Martin Male was adopted after both parents died from HIV. Thanks to his new family, he was able to have access to a good education and on completing a diploma in IT, he was inspired to return to the streets of Uganda to help other orphans.
Martin started by volunteering in the slums’ soup kitchens. He then joined a social aid program for children that had been abandoned.
In 2011 Martin set up a charity called “His Mercy’s Outreach Centre”, allowing him to take in orphaned children one by one with the help of his adoptive mother Jane Nassuma.
They started to give these children a very humble home and one meal a day. All the children were from the streets, hospitals or had been abandoned by other organisations that had been shut down due to corruption, lack of funding or due to misconduct.
We have made a lot of progress since the beginning in 2011. With huge perseverance and determination you will see how our story has progressed to bring us to where we are today, thanks to our many supporters.
Martin began the work that would become Chances for Children after volunteering in Kampala’s slums and social-aid programmes for abandoned children. His own experience as an orphan inspired him to give other children safety, care and a real chance for the future.
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Martin first connected with Gabrielle and Russell Crump through two young volunteers who shared an appeal on Facebook. They began following the organisation’s progress and offering support — the start of a relationship that would shape C4C’s future.
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For their wedding, Russell and Gabrielle asked guests to donate instead of giving gifts and raised €6,000. The money helped purchase three acres of land and equip it as a farm near Kampala so crops could be grown to help feed the children.
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As Gabrielle and Russell became more involved, they committed to helping Martin run and fund the organisation. The charity took the name Chances for Children, marking a major turning point and the beginning of a new chapter.
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The children celebrated their first Christmas with a special meal, sweets, cake, games and presents. They also received dental check-ups — another important step in providing the everyday care and wellbeing every child deserves.
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C4C rented a simple building close to the children’s accommodation and opened five small classrooms with teachers. The children returned to full-time education, with an early €400 donation helping provide desks and blackboards.
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The charity registered as an Association in Monaco and opened a Monaco bank account, making it easier for supporters to contribute. During this period, the organisation was also registered in Uganda as an NGO.
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A major fundraising event in Cap d’Ail raised €20,000. Guests took part in a raffle and auction alongside a gourmet barbecue and live entertainment, making the event an important fundraising milestone for C4C.
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C4C completed the process of registering as a UK charity. The new registration opened further opportunities for fundraising and made it easier to build support for the children through the UK.
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Friend and supporter Cassidy Woods took on an Ironman and raised funds for the children’s USA fundraising tour. The support helped with vaccinations, travel consents and passports, giving the children opportunities to travel and broaden their horizons.
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