Did you ever meet someone for a couple minutes and then never meet that person again, yet, later in life, that person’s actions would have profound influence on your own life? I met journalist Wendee Nicole at a conference, and after she founded Redemption Song Foundation, I also came to support the Batwa of Uganda as a sustaining donor and sponsor of a young student.

I gathered five reasons why sponsoring a child with RSF is so worthwhile to me: a clear need, program effectiveness, a big-picture approach, the joy of getting to know the kids, and helping the next generation thrive. I admit, at first, I was helping out a friend, Director Wendee, as time went on and I learned more about the Batwa people, the challenges they face, and, most importantly, how RSF is helping change kids’ lives, my motivations changed.