About five years ago, I saw a news report about Barb Giraud, a woman making and selling banana bread to fund an orphanage in Africa. I was so impressed with her initiative, I reached out to learn more.
In 2010, Barb went to Jinja, Uganda, and met with Edwin Lufafa, who wanted to build an orphanage on donated land. Barb wanted to help. She went home to Abbotsford, British Columbia, and her kitchen. She made 1,500 loaves and raised $5,000 in the first nine months.
Once the story hit the media, the orphanage got even more support. People offered to bake bread—one group even held a Zumba class to help raise money! The first $500 helped lay the foundation for Jaaja Barb’s Home of Angels (jaaja is “grandmother” in Luganda, a language spoken in Uganda). By the end of 2011, the main house was complete.
As of now, the orphanage houses 31 children and has enough land to build a nursery school. I met Barb a few years ago, and her love for children a world away inspired me to pitch in however I can.
At 72, she’s still baking banana bread to give these kids a home. She reminds me that we all have something to contribute.
For more information, visit jaajashomeofangels.com.
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