United States Marines Corps Donates Toys to Needy Children

United States Marines [GySgt Todd Brown, Cpl Lucas Scott, Sgt Brian Muturi, Cpl Jonathan Swartz, Sgt Matthew Becker and Sgt Matthew Jecha] pose with children of Dwelling Places

On January 29th, Marine Security Detachment Kampala accompanied by U.S. Mission Consular Chief Bridgette Anderson, visited two local orphanages.  They delivered toys and clothing to Dwelling Places and Nsambya Babies Home as part of the U.S. Marine Corps' "Toys for Tots" program. The program’s purpose is to collect toys and distribute them as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.  The Marines brought 90 gifts donated by U.S. Mission employees.

Toys for Tots began as a Los Angeles charitable effort in 1947. Colonel Bill Hendricks, USMC, and local Marine Reservists collected 5,000 toys for local children. Their efforts were so successful that in 1948 Toys for Tots was launched as a national campaign.

Dwelling Places is a non-governmental organization dedicated to removing children from the streets of Uganda, rebuilding broken families, and restoring broken individuals. 

Nsambya Babies Home is one of the oldest orphanages in Kampala founded in 1958 by a philanthropist at the Child Welfare and Adoption Society in Kampala. The Episcopal Church in Uganda operates the orphanage for abandoned kids, orphans, and children with special needs. Currently, the Home houses 167 children up to six years old.  A Staff of 13ensure the children have a loving, safe, and educationally stimulating environment.

Programs, like Toys for Tots, are concrete examples of the generous spirit of the American people and the bonds of friendship that join the United States and Uganda.