Soroti is the administrative centre of Soroti district in eastern Uganda, The district has a population of about 325,000 of which about 44% are under the age of 14. The town dates back to 1904 when the colonial administration set up a post there at the side of Soroti Rock, a large volcanic plug in an otherwise generally flat landscape.

The early town was composed of the traditional grass thatched huts; more substantial buildings were later erected with the influx of Asian Traders who remained until they were expelled by Idi Amin in the 1970’s.

The town’s airport boasts the second longest runway in Uganda, the longest being at the International airport at Entebbe. Soroti’s airport was originally built as a training school by BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) to train their pilots in African flying techniques.

In the summer of 2003 Soroti was attacked by soldiers from the Lord's Resistance Army. Previous attacks in Uganda had been centered on districts in Northern Uganda. The attack on Soroti was seen by the Ugandan government as an escalation in the threat posed by the LRA because of Soroti airport's strategic military importance. Fierce gun battles between the LRA and government troops forced the LRA back into the surrounding countryside. The threat of abduction posed by LRA soldiers then began a nightly exodus of people from the rural areas into the town seeking protection from the government troops stationed there.

The LRA has now been driven out of Uganda and the people are now slowly returning home from the IDP Camps to find their homes and land destroyed. This coupled with the action of cattle raiders from other tribes in the north east has lead to insecurity in the area.

In the rural areas. a higher concentration of mosquitoes in the area in turn has resulted in an increased level of Mararia in the children, coupled with poor water and parasites leads to chronic disease. Population control is also a major issue in the area

In spite of all these problems, when CRM and the UK missions’ team visited the area in April 2007, we found the people to be apparently happy and very welcoming. In particular one small village in Katine, about 15 miles north west of Soroti, gave us a very warm and friendly welcome when we visited with Bishop Justin who had invited us to Soroti. The small church here, with its rough concrete floor and windowless windows, was attempting to help the orphaned children in the area by planting Cassava with a view of using the money from its sale to support these children.

While we were there, Apostle John Bunjo felt lead to try and do something to help these people. With the help of Bishop Justin and the local Pastors, 22 orphaned and needy children were selected to join CRM’s child sponsorship program. The aim will be to provide assistance and education to these children within their home area, rather than bring them to our school at Bombo.