Our Story

FOUNDERS STORY | UGANDA OPERATIONS

Meet Josh & Emma

As a little girl Emma's heart was broken for the special needs orphan. At six years old, she began to pray that God would pick her to take care of the orphans in Africa. On her eighth birthday, her parents recorded a video of her saying she was moving to Uganda to help take care of the orphans. At thirteen she began taking mission trips to Uganda. In January 2013, Emma moved permanently and her dream had now become a reality. Soon after moving, she began the lengthy and arduous process of registering and opening The Gem Foundation. Eighteen months later on July 10th, 2014, the first eleven Gems arrived; they were home forever!

In 2015, Emma married her high school sweetheart, Josh. They were married at The Gem Foundation, surrounded by the children and her staff. Emma and Josh are truly a team. The Gem has been open for ten years and they have had the privilege of caring for 100+ Gems. God has been faithful every step of the way, and neither Emma or Josh can take credit for what He has done! And in Emma's words: "I am humbled that He chose to use me. Today my husband Josh and I, together as a family with our seven children, have the joy of caring for our most precious Gems! We love living in Uganda and loving our Gems! There is truly nowhere else we'd rather be."

Our Mission

Every child with special needs is a Gem from the heart of God therefore: we will rescue the abandoned Gem, restore their God-given value, and release every Gem into their God-given destiny.

  • We rescue abandoned and neglected orphans with special needs

  • We restore their infinite God-given value

  • We restore health to our Gems through nutritious food, medicine, and physical & occupational therapy

  • We release them into their full potential – at Gem Village, reunited, or adopted