Tithing: A Core Principle of Habitat for Humanity
Tithing is a core principle of Habitat for Humanity – a commitment to share the resources we have been blessed with and give back through our work. We have designated our tithe to support Habitat for Humanity Uganda. This generosity helps extend our mission and impact beyond our local community, contributing to the building of homes and hope in communities around the world.
Through Habitat for Humanity’s tithe program, U.S. affiliates contribute a portion of their unrestricted revenue each year to support Habitat’s global mission. This practice fosters a continuous cycle of generosity and partnership, transcending borders and languages to help families worldwide. Since 1987, we have provided over $1 million in tithes, helping 383 families in Uganda and beyond.
For Habitat for Humanity Northwest Metro Atlanta, in addition to the homes we have built locally, we have contributed our tithe to support the construction of homes in Uganda. We also support a microfinance program that allows Ugandan families to build their homes gradually, according to their financial capacity. Families borrow funds to cover specific materials, such as bricks or roofing, and repay the loan before taking out another to fund the next phase of construction. This approach enables families to build their homes over time, improving their living conditions without placing undue financial strain on them.
Habitat for Humanity Uganda
Habitat for Humanity Uganda welcomes all individuals committed to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1982, Habitat Uganda has built, rehabilitated, repaired, or improved over 8,500 homes, helping more than 62,000 people achieve access to affordable, quality housing.
The Housing Need in Uganda
With an average income of just $65 a month, it’s no surprise that over two-thirds of Ugandans live in substandard housing. This reality highlights a critical issue: the lack of quality housing undermines people’s health, limits opportunities for development, and perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Housing is more than just a structure—it’s the environment in which we live. It shapes how we come together as communities and how we care for one another.
Meet a Habitat Family
Sambula Grace, 42, cares for 13 children—10 of whom are her biological children, and 3 are her late brother’s children, who died in the 2010 landslide in Bududa. After relocating to Kiryandongo, life became increasingly difficult. Sambula Grace struggled to provide for her children’s food, education, and medical care.
For years, Sambula Grace and her family lived in a mud and wattle house with a tarpaulin roof. The house was in poor condition, with one side of the wall collapsed, and it was too small to accommodate all her children. The door to the girls’ room was so weak that anyone could break in, leaving Sambula Grace deeply concerned for her children’s safety.
Thanks to Habitat for Humanity Uganda, with support from KOICA, Sambula Grace and her family now have a new home. This home includes a rainwater harvesting system attached to the roof and a 3,000-liter water storage tank, providing clean water. She also has a VIP latrine with an adjacent shower stall. Sambula Grace is relieved and grateful that her daughters are now safe and secure in their new home.