Praying for Protection Amid Funding Challenges

We wanted to take a moment to update you on a recent development that could impact international programs like ours. A newly issued Executive Order has frozen all U.S. foreign development assistance funding for 90 days as part of an evaluation process.

While Cherish Uganda does not receive any U.S. government funding directly, we do depend on USAID, through the PEPFAR Fund, to receive Antiretroviral (ARV) medication for all of our HIV/AIDS clients. With this freeze in place for at least three months and no certainty about future funding, continued access to these life-saving treatments remains at risk for many of our clients.

Although a limited waiver was granted on February 1, allowing some HIV treatment services to resume, the situation remains uncertain. Supply chain disruptions are still a major concern, and the long-term impact is unknown.

For now, we have a 90-day supply of medication for all of our clients. Our immediate concern is what happens when that runs out. Interruptions in treatment greatly impact viral loads, making consistent access to medication critical for the health and well-being of those we serve.

Would you join us in praying? Please pray for wisdom for our government, the Ugandan government, and the leaders of Cherish and other ministries as we navigate what this means for the future. Funding at this magnitude is more complex than any of us could possibly understand, but it directly affects real people on the ground.

We trust in God's provision and remain committed to changing the story through spiritual transformation. Thank you for standing with us in faith and action.

With gratitude,
Brent & Leah Phillips