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BLOOMFIELD, IOWA -- Beth Mckeehan of Bloomfield and her organization, Uganda Necklaces, are reaching out to help orphans thousands of miles away.

Mckeehan first got involved in the organization when she attended The Mystic Community Church near Centerville.  At that time, Mystic’s pastor told the congregation about a man who he sponsored to attend the seminary.  The man, Ignatius wrote the pastor in 2001 to thank him for his generosity and support. 

Ignatius and the congregation then formed a close bond, and he shared his plans for the future with them; Ignatius was going to help and support hundreds of orphans that he came in contact with in war-torn Uganda.

Since 2001, Ignatius has opened 15 churches and has helped hundreds of children.  Mckeehan told KTVO today that the children are thriving with Ignatius’ intervention and guidance.  Two of the children, who are now in high school, plan on going to nursing school and work in the hospital that is currently being constructed.

Mckeehan, her husband and friends have been raising money for the people of Uganda by selling necklaces and baskets from the widows of men who have died because of the war and/or AIDS epidemic.

Mckeehan knows of the violence from Ignatius, whose son was kidnapped for three weeks before escaping.

“Along the border of the Congo and then up into the Sudan, it is so dangerous.  I don’t know nearly as much as a lot of people who are working over their and trying to make it better, but the people actually have to live in camps a lot of the time in order to have safety from the violence,” said Mckeehan.

Mckeehan and her organization are always looking for new ways to get the word out about the situation in Uganda.  If you would like more information on the organization and ways to help, click here.