CANHAVE Children’s Centre Inc. is a registered Canadian charity, founded in 1995, initially to support the education of five children orphaned in Uganda because their parents died of AIDS. Since that time, several hundred children have been helped to gain basic education and life skills, enabling many of them to become self-sufficient and contributing members of society. As of January, 2026, CANHAVE continues to support 43 students, all of whom are presently in secondary school in Uganda (equivalent to grades 7 through 12 in Canada).
CANHAVE is entirely a volunteer organization, supported by a network of committed donors, managed in Canada by a board of five directors, who are in communication with three trustees in Uganda. The only overhead costs in Canada are insurance and a small sum for printing and postage to facilitate fundraising. Over 95 percent of funds contributed are transferred directly to Uganda and used to pay school fees and ensure transportation for the students as necessary.
Many of our original and long-time donors and supporters have passed on, and it is crucial that CANHAVE enlist new supporters to ensure that students currently supported are enabled to complete their basic education. If we are successful in strengthening the base of donor support, the board of directors will consider undertaking support for additional new students.
In Uganda, AIDS remains a major challenge for public health. Public awareness programs have reduced the stigma of HIV/AIDS. This has meant that those who test positive for HIV are more willing to come forward for treatment, and clinics have been set up to provide testing and treatment. The recent cancellation of the USAID program has severely restricted the availability of HIV/AIDS medications. USAID grants were also used to assist in funding public and secondary schools in Uganda. As such, funding is not available, and the costs of education fall to the government and on schools. This has been a contributing factor in the high level of inflation in the cost of school fees.
Please share this current, matching special appeal among family, friends, and your circle of contacts, and invite interested individuals who can make a contribution.
There are several ways in which donations may be made, which are listed on the Ways to Give page.
Tax-deductible receipts will be issued promptly by the treasurer.
In anticipation, we express, on behalf of the children and youths of Uganda making their way in the world without the support of parents, our gratitude for a hand up!
James T. Hurd,
President, CANHAVE Children’s Centre Inc.
