a at
the
end of the
street
light
a at
the
end of the
street
light
Saving Grace in Uganda began in 2007 during the civil war in Northern Uganda. While serving in displaced people camps, Alon and Val Bransdorfer met young children living alone on the streets without food, care, or protection.
After one child was tragically killed, the Bransdorfers, along with the Kuhn Family and Fred Ojok, opened a home to 26 street children. That small house became a safe haven known as Uncle Fred’s House
Today, that single home has grown into a 50-acre children’s village with five homes caring for 40 former street children and a primary school educating over 1,400 students each year. What started with 26 children now serves thousands across Uganda.
as the need grew, so did the
VISION
Saving Grace in Uganda began in 2007 during the civil war in Northern Uganda. While serving in displaced people camps, Alon and Val Bransdorfer met young children living alone on the streets without food, care, or protection.
After one child was tragically killed, the Bransdorfers, along with the Kuhn Family and Fred Ojok, opened a home to 26 street children. That small house became a safe haven known as Uncle Fred’s House.
Today, that single home has grown into a 50-acre children’s village with five homes caring for 40 former street children and a primary school educating over 1,400 students each year. What started with 26 children now serves thousands across Uganda.
as the need grew, so did the
VISION
watch the video
It's not just about the rescue, it's about raising
leaders
It's not just about the rescue, it's about raising
leaders
WATCH THE VIDEO
ugandan leadership
fred ojok
Founder & Ugandan Ministry Director
Fred Ojok became a father to 26 former street boys when SGU was founded in 2007 at just 22 years old. A former street child himself, Fred understands the children SGU serves in a deeply personal way. He now oversees all ministry operations in Uganda and has final authority on decisions made there. Much of SGU’s growth and impact is a result of his bold and faithful leadership. Fred holds a diploma in Gender and Social Development.
kosta ojok
Associate Director
Kosta assists Fred in overseeing every facet of the ministry. She is a prayer warrior, Bible teacher, and encourager as well as friend and mother-figure to the children who live at Uncle Fred's House, those still living on the streets and the SGU staff. She is married to Uncle Fred and together they have three precious daughters named Valerie, Suzanne, and Maya and two sons named Josiah and Phineas. Kosta has a certificate in social work and is fluent in five languages. She is an incredible gift to Saving Grace in Uganda.
ugandan leadership
fred ojok
Founder & Ugandan Ministry Director
Fred Ojok became a father to 23 former street boys when SGU was founded in 2007 at just 22 years old. A former street child himself, Fred understands the children SGU serves in a deeply personal way. He now oversees all ministry operations in Uganda and has final authority on decisions made there. Much of SGU’s growth and impact is a result of his bold and faithful leadership. Fred holds a diploma in Gender and Social Development.
kosta ojok
Associate Director
Kosta assists Fred in overseeing every facet of the ministry. She is a prayer warrior, Bible teacher, and encourager as well as friend and mother-figure to the children who live at Uncle Fred's House, those still living on the streets and the SGU staff. She is married to Uncle Fred and together they have three precious daughters named Valerie, Suzanne, and Maya and two sons named Josiah and Phineas. Kosta has a certificate in social work and is fluent in five languages. She is an incredible gift to Saving Grace in Uganda.
We’re Blessed to Have Over 150 Ugandan Staff!
This includes teachers, nurses, cooks, Farmers drivers, guards, pastors,
and administrators — several of whom are former street children.
We’re Blessed to Have Over 150 Ugandan Staff!
This includes teachers, nurses, cooks, Farmers drivers, guards, pastors,
and administrators — several of whom are former street children.
The ministry is overseen by a group of dedicated volunteers who serve with their talents, resources and time, making it possible to have no paid staff in the United States.
Board members fund all administrative costs.
Saving Grace in Uganda has no paid USA staff.
The ministry is overseen by a group of dedicated volunteers who serve with their talents, resources and time, making it possible to have no paid staff in the United States.
Board members fund all administrative costs.
Saving Grace in Uganda has no paid USA staff.
suzanne kuhn
Founder & Administrator
Suzanne has served with Saving Grace in Uganda since its founding in 2007 and has helped oversee much of its operations. She is passionate about caring for vulnerable children and sharing the hope of God’s saving grace with the next generation. Suzanne holds a degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Florida and has served on multiple nonprofit boards as President, Treasurer, and member at large. She is married to Larry, a longtime supporter of SGU, and they have four adult children and nine grandchildren.
Valerie Bransdorfer
Founder & president
Valerie began serving street children in Lira, Uganda in 2006. In 2007, she and her husband Alon founded Uncle Fred’s House, creating a safe home for vulnerable children. With a background in law enforcement and security, and years of ministry experience, Valerie is passionate about seeing street children and their communities transformed through the hope of salvation.
usa team
our founders
suzanne kuhn
Founder & Administrator
Suzanne has served with Saving Grace in Uganda since its founding in 2007 and has helped oversee much of its operations. She is passionate about caring for vulnerable children and sharing the hope of God’s saving grace with the next generation. Suzanne holds a degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Florida and has served on multiple nonprofit boards as President, Treasurer, and member at large. She is married to Larry, a longtime supporter of SGU, and they have four adult children and nine grandchildren.
Valerie Bransdorfer
Founder & president
Valerie began serving street children in Lira, Uganda in 2006. In 2007, she and her husband Alon founded Uncle Fred’s House, creating a safe home for vulnerable children. With a background in law enforcement and security, and years of ministry experience, Valerie is passionate about seeing street children and their communities transformed through the hope of salvation.
usa team
our founders
board members
Joel oversees the creative direction, technology, and operational systems for Saving Grace in Uganda in both the U.S. He believes ending street life is an attainable goal and is passionate about helping others understand God’s heart for vulnerable children. Joel has served SGU since he was 15 years old. He runs a wedding photography business with his wife Sammy, and together they have two children.
development director
Joel Kuhn
Sammy serves in many roles at SGU, supporting logistics, leading web design, and overseeing social media. Her love for the children in Uganda drives her desire to see more of them rescued from the streets and raised up to one day help end street life themselves. Sammy holds a degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences from the University of Florida. She and Joel have two children.
project manager
Sammy Kuhn
John first connected with Saving Grace during a mission trip and later returned for a 12 week stay at Uncle Fred’s House, where his heart for the children and the ministry deepened. He has served as a board member since 2010. John manages the Learning Services department at Cerner Corporation in Augusta, Georgia. He is married to Sarah, and they have two sons. They are members of First Presbyterian Church of Augusta, where John serves as a deacon.
board member
John eckley
Deborah has supported Saving Grace in Uganda since 2012 and has served as a donor liaison since 2023. She is passionate about the ministry’s impact and excited for its continued growth. Deborah holds a degree in Marketing from the University of Florida. She has been married to Kelly for over 40 years. They have five adult children and a son, Mark, who went to be with Jesus in 2003. They attend Church of the Highlands in Huntsville, Alabama.
board member
deborah solid
Kelly was introduced to Saving Grace in Uganda through a longtime friendship with founders Suzanne and Larry, whom he met in 1982. Since then, he has supported the ministry through donor management, fundraising, and special projects wherever needed. Kelly holds a BS in Finance from Auburn University and an MBA from the University of Florida. For the past decade, he has also been actively involved in the fight against domestic human trafficking and serves on the board of a nonprofit in that field.
board member
kelly solid
Emily Ray oversees the legal and accounting operations of Saving Grace in Uganda. She is passionate about equipping children to become strong leaders in their communities and to live out their faith with purpose. Emily is a CPA and has worked in public accounting since graduating from the University of Central Florida in 2007. She lives in Oviedo, Florida with her husband and two children and attends Church of the Commons.
secretary
emily ray
Emily oversees the legal and accounting operations of Saving Grace in Uganda. She is passionate about equipping children to become strong leaders in their communities and to live out their faith with purpose. Emily is a CPA and has worked in public accounting since graduating from the University of Central Florida in 2007. She lives in Oviedo, Florida with her husband and two children and attends Church of the Commons.
board members
Joel oversees the creative direction, technology, and operational systems for Saving Grace in Uganda in both the U.S. He believes ending street life is an attainable goal and is passionate about helping others understand God’s heart for vulnerable children. Joel has served SGU since he was 15 years old. He runs a wedding photography business with his wife Sammy, and together they have two children.
development director
Joel Kuhn
Sammy serves in many roles at SGU, supporting logistics, leading web design, and overseeing social media. Her love for the children in Uganda drives her desire to see more of them rescued from the streets and raised up to one day help end street life themselves. Sammy holds a degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences from the University of Florida. She and Joel have two children.
project manager
sammy Kuhn
John first connected with SGU during a mission trip and later returned for a 12 week stay at Uncle Fred’s House, where his heart for the children and the ministry deepened. He has served as a board member since 2010. John manages the Learning Services department at Cerner Corporation in Augusta, Georgia. He is married to Sarah, and they have two sons. They are members of First Presbyterian Church of Augusta.
board member
john eckley
Emily oversees the legal and accounting operations of Saving Grace in Uganda. She is passionate about equipping children to become strong leaders in their communities and to live out their faith with purpose. Emily is a CPA and has worked in public accounting since graduating from the University of Central Florida in 2007. She lives in Oviedo, Florida with her husband and two children and attends Church of the Commons.
secretary
emily ray
Deborah has supported Saving Grace in Uganda since 2012 and has served as a donor liaison since 2023. She is passionate about the ministry’s impact and excited for its continued growth. Deborah holds a degree in Marketing from the University of Florida. She has been married to Kelly for over 40 years. They have five adult children and a son, Mark, who went to be with Jesus in 2003. They attend Church of the Highlands in Huntsville, Alabama.
board member
deborah solid
board member
kelly solid
Kelly was introduced to SGU through a longtime friendship with founders Suzanne and Larry, whom he met in 1982. Since then, he has supported the ministry through donor management, fundraising, and special projects wherever needed. Kelly holds a BS in Finance from Auburn and an MBA from UF. For the past decade, he has also been actively involved in the fight against domestic human trafficking and serves on the board of a nonprofit in that field.
why we do this
We believe every child is created in the image of God and deserves safety, dignity, and hope. Our work is rooted in the Gospel and expressed through practical action.
why we do this
We believe every child is created in the image of God and deserves safety, dignity, and hope. Our work is rooted in the Gospel and expressed through practical action.
